Mink (Mustela vison)

Description: A member of the weasel family, has dark brown-black fur. Males usually weigh 2 to 3.5 pounds, females 1.5 to 2.5 pounds. Has a long, thick tail, small ears and a pointed nose.

Habitat: All kinds of wetland areas and is comfortable on both land and in water.

Feeding: An opportunistic carnivore, feeds on almost any animal including fish, frogs, crayfish, small rodents, waterfowl and their eggs, worms, insects and rabbits.

General: Dens are usually along riverbanks, with two to five openings along the water. Susceptible to waterborne contaminants such as mercury and PCBs because of biomagnification through the fish in their diet.

References: Rezendes, Paul. 1992. Tracking & the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks & Sign. Camden House Publishing Inc. Charlotte, Vermont.

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