MINK Mustela vison

The mink, Mustela vison, is a highly prized furbearer due to its coat. It is a member of the weasel family being larger than the long-tailed and short-tailed weasels. It is also more of an aquatic species than the other members of the weasel family and may be active at any time during the day. Vermont Wildlife Fact Sheet

Physical Description Mink are territorial and mark members of the weasel family. their territory with scent in They can be found along Like all members of the order to communicate to other streams, rivers, lakes, and weasel family, the mink has a mink to stay away. marshes. Any area with a long, slender body. Mink can permanent water source is a grow to be 25 to 32 inches in Food Items possible mink habitat. Wetlands length and may weigh from 2 to Mink are aggressive carni- that have abundant vegetation 5 pounds. Its coat is a dark vores seeking out prey on land along the shoreline are also brown to black with white and in the water. Mink will prey important for mink. The mink patches on the chin, chest, and on muskrats, rabbits, small will either excavate a burrow for belly. Mink are prized for their rodents, waterfowl, marsh- itself or move into one pelts in the fur industry and in nesting birds, crayfish, aquatic abandoned by another animal. It some areas are raised on mink beetles, and fish. They are is common for mink to use farms to provide pelts. excellent swimmers which muskrat dens or beaver lodges Life Cycle allows them to feed in and along at home. These dens are found rivers, streams, lakes, and along streambanks and the Mink breed from late ponds. edges of ponds. February to early April to May. A litter may range from 2 to 10 Predators Behavior young, but the average is 6 or 7. Natural predators of mink The mink may be active at Mink give birth and raise only include foxes, bobcats, and the any time of the day. They are one litter a year. The young great horned owl. Humans can most active from sunset to mink will become sexually also be considered predators of sunrise and thus are referred to mature at the age of 10 months. mink because they trap them for as being crepuscular and Mink are highly aggressive their coats. nocturnal. They are solitary toward other mink and other animals by nature and are more animals. It is not uncommon for Habitat aggressive than sociable. male mink to fight during the The mink is more of an mating season and year round. aquatic species than the other

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department FW 1/2009 Mink Fact Sheet