American mink
(Neogale vison)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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| NatureServe | N5 - Secure SNR - Unranked |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Description
The pelage (fur) is light to dark brown except for a white chin patch and white patches on the throat and breast. It does not turn white in winter. The tail is blackish toward the tip.
Size
Total length: 18″ to 27½″
Head and body: 12″ to 17″
Tail: 5″ to 9″
Sign
Similar Species
Least weasel (Mustela nivalis) is much smaller, no more than 8½″ in length including the tail. The underparts and feet are whitish in summer. In winter the pelage is entirely white. The tail is short and may have a few black hairs at the tip but is not black tipped.
Ermine (Mustela erminea) is smaller. The underparts and feet are white or yellowish-white in summer. The tip of the tail is black. In winter the pelage is entirely white except for the black tip of the tail.
Long-tailed weasel (Neogale frenata) is smaller. The underparts are yellowish-white in summer. The tip of the tail is black. In winter the pelage is entirely white except for the black tip of the tail.
Northern river otter (Lontra canadensis) is much larger, 35″ to 51″ in length including the tail.
Habitat
Densely vegetated areas along streams and lakes; in swamps and marshes
Ecology
Behavior
Mink are most active at night but occasionally hunt during the day.
Lifespan
About 10 years
Life Cycle
Food
Any animals in or near the water. In the summer, crayfish, fish, small frogs, small mammals, and small birds. In the winter mostly mammals.
Distribution |
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Sources Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 12/8/2025). Timm, R. M. 1975. Distribution, natural history, and parasites of mammals of Cook County, Minnesota. Occasional Papers, Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota 14:1–56. Hazard, Evan B. 1982. The Mammals of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 280 pp. The counties in light green lack modern records but have historic county or township specimens or records. |
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| 12/8/2025 | |||
Hudson Bay mink (Neogale vison lacustris) is found along the northern border of Minnesota. Mississippi Valley mink (Neogale vison letifera) is found in the remainder of the state. |
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Occurrence |
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Common |
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Taxonomy
Class
Subclass
Theria
Infraclass
Placentalia (Placental Mammals)
Magnorder
Boreoeutheria
Superorder
Laurasiatheria (Ungulates, Carnivorans, and Allies)
Order
Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Suborder
Caniformia (Dog-like Carnivores)
Infraorder
Arctoidea
Parvorder
Mustelida
Family
Mustelidae (Mustelids)
Subfamily
Mustelinae (Weasels)
Genus
Neogale (New World Weasels)
Genus
This species was originally described in 1777 as Mustela vison. In 2000, based on morphology, it was placed in the new genus Neovison. It was the only member of that genus. Mitochondrial DNA studies published in 2009 and later showed that it is closely related to three weasels in the genus Mustela, and that the group should be assigned a new genus. This was confirmed very recently by an analysis of carnivoran mitogenomes published in 2021. A handful of genus names were suggested, including Vison, Neogale, Cabreragale, and Grammogale. Among these, the name Neogale has priority, having been described as early as 1865, and was adopted.
Subordinate Taxa
Admiralty Island mink (Neogale vison nesolestes)
Alaskan mink (Neogale vison ingens)
Aniak mink (Neogale vison aniakensis)
Atlantic salt marsh mink (Neogale vison lutensis)
California lowland mink (Neogale vison aestuarina)
common mink (Neogale vison mink)
east Canadian mink (Neogale vison lowii)
eastern mink (Neogale vison vison)
Everglades mink (Neogale vison evergladensis)
Gulf Salt Marsh mink (Neogale vison halilimnetes)
Hudson Bay mink (Neogale vison lacustris) 
Kenai mink (Neogale vison melampeplus)
Mississippi Valley mink (Neogale vison letifera)
Pacific mink (Neogale vison energumenos)
southern mink (Neogale vison vulgivaga)
Vancouver Island mink (Neogale vison evagor)
Synonyms
Lutreola vison
Mustela vison
Neovison vison
Putorius vison
Common Names
American mink
Glossary
Pelage
The coat of a mammal, consisting of fur, wool, or hair, and including a soft undercoat and stiff guard hairs.
Visitor Photos
Share your photo of this mammal.
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Attach one or more photos and, if you like, a caption.
Deem Colvin
This little guy was taunting some Canada Geese in a decent size pond with huge rocks 3/4 of the way around, made by the owner of the beautiful cabin we were renting for a few days.
The geese were significantly larger than the relatively small mink but he acted fierce until they started chasing him. In this photo, the mink was running toward me as fast as he could, to the point where I thought he was going to land in my lap! I kept shooting but unfortunately was only able to get one decent photo out of all of them. I’ve done as much research as I know how to and I believe this is a mink. The cottage/land owner said he’d never seen a mink in his area and thought maybe it was a Minnesota Pine Marten. I told him I’d send him my pic ASAP so he could determine what it is as I’ve never seen a wild mink or a pine marten myself. If any of you think it’s not a mink please post what you think it is. Thank you!!!
Ramona Abrego |
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At Lake Itasca |
Norm & Peg Dibble |
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Norm spotted this frisky mink checking out the pond for fish on a sunny afternoon in May of 2011. It was a surprise and he managed to get many good photos. |
Lynn Rubey |
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American Mink along the Minnesota River banks in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge under the bridge. |
American Mink coming from under the bridge at the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge as it turned to look at a couple very excited grand children at seeing their first American Mink. |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
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Slideshows
Mustela vison (American Mink)
Allen Chartier
American Mink
Mark Klotz
Mink
Craig A. Mullenbach
Visitor Videos
Share your video of this mammal.
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Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Attach a video, a YouTube link, or a cloud storage link.
Other Videos
American Mink
Martha Priester
Mink (Mustelidae: Neovison/Mustela vison) Running with a Fish
Carl Barrentine
PART 1 - Scientific Filmmaking BMSC - Final Project on the American Mink
carlycatpants
The American Mink "The most elusive and fierce little creature" by Tyler Goodale
lyubakavideo
Washushe the Mink Attacks Dog Durring First Hunt
Joseph Carter
Visitor Sightings
Report a sighting of this mammal.
This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Be sure to include a location.
Deem Colvin
6/13/2023
Location: Duluth, Mn
this little guy was taunting some Canada Geese in a decent size pond with huge rocks 3/4 of the way around, made by the owner of the beautiful cabin we were renting for a few days.
The geese were significantly larger than the relatively small mink but he acted fierce until they started chasing him. In this photo, the mink was running toward me as fast as he could, to the point where I thought he was going to land in my lap! I kept shooting but unfortunately was only able to get one decent photo out of all of them. I’ve done as much research as I know how to and I believe this is a mink. The cottage/land owner said he’d never seen a mink in his area and thought maybe it was a Minnesota Pine Marten. I told him I’d send him my pic ASAP so he could determine what it is as I’ve never seen a wild mink or a pine marten myself. If any of you think it’s not a mink please post what you think it is. Thank you!!!
Lynn Rubey
10/5/2018
Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge
American Mink coming from under the bridge at the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge as it turned to look at a couple very excited grand children at seeing their first American Mink.
Norm & Peg Dibble
May 2011
Location: Maple Grove, MN
Norm spotted this frisky mink checking out the pond for fish on a sunny afternoon in May of 2011. It was a surprise and he managed to get many good photos.
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
