Mink Fur

American Mink found their way into England in 1929 as part of a major fur industry project, as Mink Fur had proven one of the finest quality and most valuable types of fur to be used in clothing industry. As the American Mink (Mustela vision) is more adaptive and aggressive than the European Mink (Mustela lutreola), the few escapees became a sheer trouble for local fauna. They became a menace to local fish, birds and poultry, thus breaking the natural balance in the area.

There is just one feature that helps to tell the two species apart. The American Mink does not have a white marking on its upper lip, while the European Mink does have one. The Mink resembles the English Polecat, measuring 15-18 inches in length. The American Mink is larger than its European counterpart. American Mink weigh 2 lbs (females) and 3.5 lbs (males), while European Mink weigh 1.5-2.5 lbs correspondingly. Mink fur from both species enjoys great demand on the global fur market.

Mink have lustrous chocolate-brown pelage, featuring dense undercoat with long and stiff hairs all over the body. The coat is more shiny on the upper-parts. American Mink found in the north have finer pelage than those common in the south. This is important for Mink Fur industry specialists. Mink have a bushy 9-inch tapering tail. The ears are round and small. American Mink begin to mate in February. They are polygamous, i. e. couples do not mate for life. Males follow females roaming in direct proximity, but do not participate in rearing the young. Gestation lasts 39 days, although embryo may stop developing for a while (delayed implantation). Females give birth to 3-6 young on the average. The young stay around the mother until fall, and then they establish their own home ranges.

Mink are commonly found near water. As they have webbed toes, they are superb swimmers, and are very adept at hunting in the water. They take various kinds of fish and waterfowl, and maintain territories stretching along river banks. They are also great ground hunters, and can kill rodents, birds and rabbits. Mink are notoriously wasteful hunters, because they often kill more than they can take. Considering the Mink’s exceptional knack for killing, Mink Fur industry has contributed to the animal’s reputation as a pest, because American Mink escapees have made an aggressive intrusion into local European habitats.