Main Characteristics

American Mink have a body length between 30 and 54 cms (12 - 21.5 inches), a tail length between 14 and 21 cms (5.5 - 8.5 inches) and they weigh between 0.7 and 2 kgs (1.25 - 4.5 lbs). They are usually dark brown in colour but occasionally they can be grey/blue.

Habitat

American Mink are native to Canada and the USA but populations have been introduced into Europe and Asia. They prefer forested areas close to water and they are solitary animals.

Diet

American Mink are opportunistic predators and they mainly feed on rats, rabbits, birds, fish, frogs and crayfish.

Breeding

After a gestation period of 40 - 75 days, 3 - 6 young are born in a den. They are weaned at 6 weeks old and become independent between 6 and 10 months.

American Mink reach sexual maturity at 10 months old.

Predators

Predators of American Mink include bobcats, coyotes, great horned owls and wolves.

Subspecies

Subspecies of American Mink include:

Neovison vison aestuarina
Neovison vison aniakensis
Neovison vison enerqumenos
Neovison vison evagor
Neovison vison evergladensis
Neovison vison ingens
Neovison vison lacustris
Neovison vison letifera
Neovison vison lowii
Neovison vison lutensis
Neovison vison melampeplus
Neovison vison mink
Neovison vison nesolestes
Neovison vison vison
Neovison vison vulgivaga

Interesting Facts


Similar Animals

European Mink
Black-Footed Ferret
Stoat
Least Weasel
Long-Tailed Weasel
Siberian Weasel
Tropical Weasel
Mountain Weasel