Physical Features
Minks have waterproof, dark brown fur. Their length is
between 1 to 2 feet. Their bushy tails add another 6 to 8
inches. Minks only weigh between 1 to 3 pounds. They have
a white patch under their chins. Their paws have claws. Their
feet are partly webbed which makes them good swimmers. They
have a slender body with short legs.
Life Cycle
Minks
mate during the winter months of February and March. After
45 to 52 days, 4 or 5 young kits are born
in the mother’s fur-lined den. They
are blind and without fur. After about 6 weeks of feeding
from mother’s milk, they are taken on a hunting trip.
Mother teaches her babies how to hunt and will protect them
to the death.
At the end of
summer, each mink leaves home to mark a territory. Minks
mark an area with a scent that smells as bad as a skunk’s
scent. However, the smell does not carry through the air
as far. Minks stay in an area for about 10 months, then move
on to mark a new area. Minks live for about 3 years.
Habitat
Minks
set up homes near rivers, streams, creeks, lakes, and marshes.
Within their marked territories, minks make several dens in
hollow trees or burrows left by other animals. They can burrow
under rocks and tree roots. Sometimes, they dig tunnels under
the snow. They live alone unless it is the mating season.
They purr like cats when happy.
Diet
Minks
hunt at night or on very cloudy days. They hunt on land and
in water. They are a very fast moving animal. In or near water,
they hunt for frogs, fish, birds, and crayfish. On land, they
will hunt for rabbits, snakes, birds and their eggs, and other
small rodents such as mice. Minks are carnivores.
If a mink kills more than it can eat, it keeps the food in
its den for a later meal.
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