| American Mink | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| Range | North America |
| Scientific Classification | |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Mustelidae |
| Genus | Neovison |
| Species | Neovision vison |
| Conservation Status | |
 Least Concern | |
The American mink (Neovison vison) is a semiaquatic species of mustelid native to North America, though human intervention has expanded its range to many parts of Europe and South America. Because of range expansion, the American mink is classed as a least-concern species by the IUCN.[1] Since the extinction of the sea mink, the American mink is the only extant member of the genus Neovison.
Evolution[]
As a species, the American Mink represents a more specialized form than the European Mink in the direction of carnivory, as indicated by the more developed structure of the skull.
Description[]
The American mink has dark brown fur and a long tail. It has a long, slender body with short, stubby legs and webbed feet. Its ears are tiny and round. The American mink's fur is the reason why it is so often farmed, and it is very soft.
Behavior[]
The American mink normally only vocalizes during close encounters with other minks or predators. The sounds it emits include piercing shrieks and hisses when threatened and muffled chuckling sounds when mating. Kits squeak repeatedly when separated from their mothers. During aggressive interactions, the mink asserts its dominance by arching its back, puffing up, and lashing its tail, stamping and scraping the ground with its feet, and opening its mouth in a threat-gape. Should this be unsuccessful, fights may result, with injuries to the head and neck.
Abilities[]
Strength of mink are strong enough to hunt a squirrel and rabbit.