American Mink

Part of Hall of North American Mammals.

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July, Pine Barrens, New Jersey

Where there’s water, there may be mink. These svelte hunters seek fish and frogs underwater and waterfowl and small mammals near shore. Mink’s semi-webbed feet help them swim with skill, and their dense, oily coats repel water well. Their luxuriant pelts have long been desired for fur garments, so mink have been trapped and farmed extensively. Although farms breed mink in many colors, wild mink are always a deep, glossy brown.