Mink Oil

Mink Oil is used in medical and cosmetic industries, and it is also a good leather conditioner. It is received from a layer of fat under the skin of mink. This is another reason why Mink are so economically important. Traditionally, Mink are valuable for their fine quality pelts, so Mink farming received a substantial boost in the 20th century. Intensive Mink trapping has resulted in a considerable decrease in Mink population throughout the northern hemisphere.

Mink belong to the Mustelidae family, and they are close relatives of weasels. However, they are larger than weasels, and they live near water. They have a few adaptations, allowing them to hunt in water with a stunning ease. Mink have webbed toes and a thick undercoat that is capable of trapping air bubbles, so that the animal feels at ease under water. Besides, American Mink can spend a long time in very cold water and can swim under ice. The layer of fat under the skin, from which Mink Oil is rendered, provides additional protection against cold.

The American Mink has luxurious dark brown coat, the upper part of which consists of long and shiny hairs. Mink that inhabit northern states tend to have finer and glossier pelage, while those found in southern states have coarser coat. American Mink have a white patch under the chin reaching the lower lip. The ears are small and rounded, and are barely visible over the hair. American Mink are larger than European Mink, and are more adaptive in various environments. As part of an extensive project aimed at receiving Mink fur and Mink Oil, a number of American Mink was brought into Europe in 1929. An accidental release of several American Mink into the local environment revealed a few behavioral differences between the American and the European Mink. American Mink turned out to be more aggressive in asserting their position in nature.

Mink are predatory mammals, and their diet includes a variety of food. Being excellent water hunters, Mink take fish, frogs and waterfowl. They also hunt on the ground, and kill small birds, voles, rats and even rabbits. Mink are known for their ability to store up food during winter months. For this reason, they often seem to kill more than they can eat, which earned them the notoriety of vicious killers. Mink start breeding in late February, and young are born by the middle of spring. Litter size ranges from 2 to 6 young that become independent by late August. In the wild, Mink live 4-6 years, while captive species have a longer life span, reaching 10-12 years. However, most Mink raised in farms are killed for fur and Mink Oil long before they get old.