Description
Mink have a long sleek body with short, solid legs, a long neck, pointed face, long bushy tale, and small ears. A mink weighs between 1-4 pounds and measures from 16-29 inches. The male mink is larger than the female.
Habitat
The mink can be found throughout all of mainland Canada south of the tree line along rivers, creeks, ponds, lakes and marshes. Typically mink are nocturnal but sometimes they are active around dawn and dusk. Mink live near water in abandoned burrows or in naturally formed den sites. They line their nests with grass, feathers, and other soft materials.
Diet
Mink will eat anything they can kill. They prey on muskrat, mice, snowshoe hares, fish, frogs, salamanders, snakes, and insects. Male mink feed on larger prey than females because of their size.
Fur Qualities
A mink’s fur is soft and shiny with brown under fur and long shiny guard hairs. They vary in colour from chocolate brown to nearly black. A white patch may be present on the chin and throat. The mink’s fur has been highly sought after for its use in making clothing.
Definitions
Nocturnal = nocturnal animals are more active at night than during the day.
