The mink belongs to the order Carnivora, which means it is carniverous - a meat-eater. The order Carnivora also includes other meat-eaters such as lions, tigers, hyenas, coyotes, and wolves.

Within the order Carnivora, the mink belongs to the family Mustelidae, commonly known as the weasel family. This family also includes skunks, otters, fishers, martens and wolverines.

And within the family Mustelidae, the mink belongs to the genus Mustela. There are two members, or species, in this genus, the American mink, Mustela vison, and the smaller, and extremely rare European mink, Mustela lutreola. The European mink is most easily distinguished from the American mink by a wide white area around the mouth.

The common name "mink" comes from the Swedish word "maenk".

SIZE: How large is a mink?

FEET: What are their feet like?

DIET: What do mink eat?

HABITAT / DISTRIBUTION: Where are mink found?

EYESIGHT: What are their eyes like?

LIFESPAN: How long do mink live?

MOUTH: How many teeth does a mink have?

NOSE: How well can a mink smell?

EARS: Are they really so small?

FUR: What is a mink's fur like?

REPRODUCTION: How and when do mink mate?

PREDATORS: What other animals eat mink?

SCENT: Mink have highly developed anal scent glands

OIL: Why is mink oil so good for your skin?

OTHER FURS: How does mink compare to skunk, weasel or nutria?

FURTHER READING

Missouri Conservation Commission Missouri mammals; Mink; Mustela vison
National Trappers Association The Mink, Mustela vison

Source for the section "Mink Biology" include, but are not limited to:

Mink Mating & Young by Nina K. and Joanne M. created for the Museums in the Classroom program sponsored by Illinois State Board of Education, the Brookfield Zoo, the Illinois State Museum., and Kildeer Countryside CCSD 96.

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