By Michael Olek

It’s amazing how many people do not know that a healthy population of Mink exists in Western New York. Perhaps because, like our local flying squirrels, which are seldom seen, they are nocturnal. Mink are also local residents that spend most of their time near creeks, ponds, rivers and lakes. Mink are reclusive creatures that prefer to live alone. Being somewhat nomadic, they rarely take up residence in any one spot for very long.

Mink spend most of their active time bounding along, not too far from a body of water, in search of food. Mink are excellent swimmers. In water, they resemble a scaled down version of their close cousin, the Otter. Creeks and ponds are a Mink's playground as well as a major food source.  In water, fish, crayfish and frogs make up a large portion of a Mink’s diet. On land, Mink are as capable a hunter as the Weasel. Mink are carnivorous and will eat rodents, rabbits, birds, and insects. Because of their short legs, they are not capable of outrunning rabbits, or other faster animals. Mink mainly hunt on land by sniffing at crevices, under rocks, or scouting out hollow logs and ground dens, much like a Ferret. Once they pick up the scent of prey, they will pursue their quarry, by nose, for a short distance.

Mink are agile contortionists that are aggressive by nature during hunting and mating. Mink are able to climb, but not very well. Mink are in the group of musk producing mammals. Others in this group are Weasels, Otters, Ferrets, Fisher, Martins, Skunks and Badgers. Because Mink are long and lean with a quick metabolism, they must eat quite a bit in ratio to size. Colors range from tan to chocolate brown, and black. All mink have a white chin patch of fur. Males can reach 29 inches in length (tail included) and weigh-in at about 5 pounds. Females are considerably smaller. Mating occurs in January or February, almost always accompanied by brutal fighting between the male and female. Females have the ability of delayed fertilization and will mate with several males, storing the sperm of each. The young of the same litter born around mid-May can have different fathers. Unlike most young mammals, the kits develop teeth before their eyes open at about 5 weeks of age. The mother will bring meat for them to eat when they are only 3 to 4 weeks old. The young stay with Mom to learn about survival until the first of September. The kits are then driven away to seek out their own solitary existence.

© Copyright 2000 Messinger Woods Wildlife Care & Education Center, Inc.

This species profile is copyrighted and may only be reprinted with the express permission of Messinger Woods Wildlife Care & Education Center, Inc.