American Mink

Neogale vison

The American mink (Neogale vison) is a semi-aquatic mustelid native to North America, closely tied to rivers, marshes, lakeshores, and coastal wetlands. It has a long low body, short legs, a tapered tail, dense waterproof fur, and a sharp carnivore's bite. Wild mink hunt muskrats, fish, frogs, crayfish, birds, eggs, and small mammals, often caching food near dens. Farm-bred mink also occur in many color strains, and escaped animals have established invasive populations in parts of Europe and South America.

Mink are kept in fur farming, research, rescue, and occasionally by experienced private keepers where laws allow, but they are demanding animals with musk, speed, and strong predatory behavior. Secure housing must prevent chewing, digging, and escapes, and enrichment should include water access, tunnels, nest boxes, and objects to investigate. Diets are meat-based and need careful balance, especially for breeding females and kits. Facilities place heavy emphasis on sanitation and biosecurity because mink are susceptible to several contagious diseases and can spread quickly through dense housing.