American Mink

Physical Description: 

The American mink is a small brown, slender weasel-like mammal with long body and short legs. They have a thick bushy tail with reddish to brown fur and a white patch on their chin or throat. They can get up to about 12 to 17 inches in length, not including the tail. The tail is about five to nine inches, making up a third of their total body length.  

Predators: 

Common predators are large carnivores such as wolves, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, and even bird of prey.  

Lifespan: 

American mink can live up to 10 years in the wild. Under human care they can live up to 15 years of age.  

Reproduction: 

American Mink will mate seasonally in the late winter or early spring, typically from February to April. Their gestation period ranges between 40 to 75 days as they can go through delayed implantation if the conditions are not adequate. Mink are polygamous where males will seek out multiple mates. They will give birth to 1-8 kits in the late spring, where kits are born blind, hairless and dependent on the mother. They will stay with mom until late fall until they can hunt on their own.  

Fun Facts: 

• Mink are semi aquatic mammals known for their excellent swimming skills due to their webbed feet and dense fur.  

• When threatened they spray a foul-smelling liquid from their anal glands. 

• Mink have excellent eyesight and hearing which helps them in finding prey.  

Conservation Messaging: 

Together with Nature 

American Mink are commonly found around wetland habitats due to them being a semiaquatic mammal. They face threats of water pollution, development, and climate change. Mink are excellent indicators of wetland quality in their habitats since they are sensitive to pollutants like mercury. By protecting them, means we are protecting clean water and habitats. Conservation efforts are focusing on wetland restoration, reducing pollutants, and promoting beaver populations as their habitats create ideal mink habitats.  

The best way for us to help sustain their habitat in which they live in is to “Leave No Trace.” Once you leave nature, no one should know you have been there in the first place. This means whatever you bring out in nature, comes back in with you. Additionally, the environment should be left unaltered since all areas of nature are home to wildlife.