The American mink, a semiaquatic mustelid native to North America. Its long, streamlined body lets it swim easily and slip into the burrows of its prey. People have spread it to many parts of Europe, Asia and South America, and in Europe it is classed as invasive.
Quick answers
What is it?Mammal
Carnivore?Yes
Dangerous?No
Domesticated?No
Awake when?Night
Hibernates?No
Kept as a pet?No
Do people eat it?No
At a glance
Found inNorth America, Europe, Asia, South America
HabitatRivers & lakes
ColoursBrown, Black
SizeSmall
LengthMales 34–45 cm, females 31–37.5 cm (body)
WeightMales 0.5–1.6 kg, females 0.4–0.8 kg (winter)
Legs4
Covered inFur
Lives alone
Lives for3–10 years
Can swim
In the wild
- Where it lives
- Native to North America; introduced to many parts of Europe, Asia and South America.
- What it eats
- Rodents, fish, crustaceans, frogs and birds; in its native range fish are its main prey.
- Conservation
- Least Concern (IUCN Red List)
Did you know
Can dive to 3 metres, and hunts as happily in water as on land.
It usually dives about 30 cm for 10 seconds, but dives of 3 m lasting a minute have been recorded.
It often kills water birds by drowning them.
Often confused with
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