American mink

LC - Least Concern

N5 - Secure

SNR - Unranked

not listed

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.

Total length: 18″ to 27½″

Head and body: 12″ to 17″

Tail: 5″ to 9″

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.

Densely vegetated areas along streams and lakes; in swamps and marshes

Mink are most active at night but occasionally hunt during the day.

About 10 years

Any animals in or near the water. In the summer, crayfish, fish, small frogs, small mammals, and small birds. In the winter mostly mammals.

Sources

7, 15, 24, 29, 30.
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.

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.

Common

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.

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.

At Lake Itasca

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.

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.

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!!!

Location: Lake Itasca

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.

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.