Scientific Name: Neovison vison
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: Neovison
Physical Characteristics
Their long slim body is covered in glossy, thick dark brown fur with a white patch under the chin. They have short legs with partially webbed feet, which make them excellent swimmers.
Distribution
They can be found in wooded areas and fields near streams and lakes. Some American Mink have established themselves in the wild in Newfoundland, Europe and South America due to escapes or intentional release by animal rights activists from fur farms. In parts of Europe, tens of thousand were intentionally introduced by the Soviet Union over a period of several decades, to provide a new game animal for trappers, with disastrous population declines of the European Mink as result.
Behavior
Like their cousins, the otters, mink are very playful.
