Mink
| Mink | |
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| European Mink (Mustela lutreola) | |
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There are two living species of mink. The American Mink and the European Mink. The extinct Sea Mink is related to the American Mink, but is much larger. All three species of mink are dark-colored, semi-aquatic, carnivorous mammals of the family Mustelidae, which also includes the weasels and the otters. The American Mink is larger, and more adaptable than the European Mink. The American Mink's fur has been highly prized for its use in clothing, with hunting giving way to large-scale mink farming. Its treatment has also been a focus of animal welfare activism.
American Mink have found their way into the wild in Europe (including Great Britain) and South America, after being released from mink farms by animal rights activists. American Mink are believed by some to have contributed to the decline of the less hardy European mink through competition. Trapping is used to control and eliminate any feral American Mink.
For more information on the different species of mink, see American Mink, European Mink, or Sea Mink.
Species
- European Mink Mustela lutreola
- American Mink Neovison vison
- Sea Mink Neovison macrodon (extinct)
