Wildlife
American mink are often mistaken for otters, but are much smaller with fluffier tails and pointed snouts. Inside this beautiful looking creature lurks an indiscriminate killer of birds, fish and small mammals that decimate ground-nesting birds and tackle fish as large as themselves. Native to North America, they were introduced around the world for fur farming. Escapees and deliberate releases have resulted in this great survivor becoming established in Europe and South America and with no natural predators in the UK, their populations are thriving.
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A water vole's history of Britain
How the water vole colonised Britain, and the threat from new immigrants: mink.
How the water vole colonised Britain, and the threat from new immigrants: mink.
Hollow reminders
Mink have brought a reign of terror to the Thames riverbanks.
Mink have brought a reign of terror to the Thames riverbanks.
Murdering mink
Don't be fooled by the otter impression, mink are bad news for Britain's river species.
Don't be fooled by the otter impression, mink are bad news for Britain's river species.
Duck decoy
A mother mallard plays a risky game to lure a mink away from her hidden chicks.
A mother mallard plays a risky game to lure a mink away from her hidden chicks.
The American mink can be found in a number of locations including: Europe, North America, United Kingdom, Wales. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the American mink distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Least Concern
Population trend: Stable
Year assessed: 2008
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The American mink (Neovison vison) is a semiaquatic species of mustelid native to North America, though human intervention has expanded its range to many parts of Europe and South America. Because of this, it is classed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Since the extinction of the sea mink, the American mink is the only extant member of the genus Neovison. The American mink is a carnivore which feeds on rodents, fish, crustaceans, frogs, and birds. In its introduced range in Europe, it has been linked to declines in European mink and water vole populations and has been classified as invasive. It is the most frequently farmed animal for its fur, exceeding in economic importance the silver fox, sable, marten, and skunk.
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Coastal
Lakes and ponds
Marsh
Rivers and streams
Swamp
Taiga
Broadleaf forest
Coniferous forest
Helpless young
Carnivorous
Adapted to climbing
Burrower
Adapted to jumping
Maternal care
Nocturnal
Polygynandrous
Predator
Adapted to running
Chemical communication
Viviparous