Mink are medium-sized mammals found throughout North America and parts of Europe and South America. They have brown fur with white patches and emit a strong, unpleasant odor when afraid or excited. Mink live near water and eat a varied diet including fish, birds, eggs, insects, and small mammals depending on availability. Though mortality is high for young mink, adults can live up to three years in the wild and over 10 years in captivity, breeding annually and having litters of 4-5 kits.

1. Mink By: Rebecca

2. Description A mink is a mammal. Adult males range in total length from 19 to 20 inches. They may weigh from three to almost five pounds. Females are somewhat smaller than males. A mink’s fur is chocolate brown with some irregular white patches on the chin, throat, and belly. A mink’s fur is in prime condition when guard hairs are thickest . Like skunks, mink discharge a fetid liquid from their scent glades when they are afraid or excited. The odor is very strong and unpleasant to most people.

3. Habitat The mink is found in places which suit it’s habit’s throughout almost all North America, Florida to the Arctic. American Mink of other subspecies have found their way into Europe ( including Great Britain ) and South America, after many were released from mink farms which were no longer commercially viable.

4. Living Habits Mink will eat virtually anything they can catch and kill, including fish ,birds,bird eggs,insects,crabs,clams,and small mammals. There are both seasonal and annual differences in the diet depending on what is available. Mink prefer streams,ponds,beaches,or marshes. An abundance of hares or mice may cause them to move.

5. Birth and growth While mortality is extremely high in the early months of the life of the American Mink, animals that do survive the first year can live as long as three years in the wild. In captivity, mink can live 10-12 years and have on average 4 to 5 kits per litter once a year.

6. Interesting Facts White patches are usually larger on females and occur on the abdomen in the area of the mammary glands. Adult mink have been know to kill and eat young mink. Males and females may bread with more than one other mink. They are cannibalistic.

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