Mink / American Mink
Mustela vison
Minc Mheiriceánach
What group of mammals does the mink belong to?
Along with the badger, otter, stoat & pine marten, the American mink is a member of the mustelid family, a group of short-legged, long-bodied carnivores. The mink has a long slender body, very thick dark-brown fur, and partially webbed feet - mink spend a lot of time in water.
How big is a mink?
A lot bigger than a stoat, but smaller than an otter, with a long agile frame, a male mink is 50-60cm in length (nose to tail) and weighs 0,9-1.3 kg. Females are noticeably smaller, weighing 0.5-0.8 kg.
Are mink native to Ireland?
No. As the name suggests, American mink originated in North America. Renowned for their thick fur, large numbers of mink were bred, raised and killed on fur farms. Some animals escaped, and others were released on purpose. The mink readily adapted to their new environment and quickly spread, establishing themselves at the top of the food chain. Mink are now found in every county in Ireland, and are regarded by many as a pest species. There is a European species of mink, but it has never reached Ireland.
Where do mink live?
The mink is quite adaptable and has spread to a variety of habitats, but is usually found near water - not difficult in a wet country like Ireland. Mink prefer slow-flowing rivers, and lakes with plenty of thick vegetation, but are also found on the coast and along canals. Sometimes a mink will dig a den in soft soil, but usually they occupy old rabbit burrows, hollow trees or even ruined buildings.
Do mink live in groups?
Unlike their cousin the badger, mink are solitary. Each adult has its own territory, with a number of dens, which it marks out using scent glands. Mink will usually not tolerate other members of the same sex, although vagrant animals occasionally move through another mink’s range.
What do mink eat?
American mink are hunters or predators. Living mainly near water, their prey is mostly fish such as perch and eels, crayfish where they are plentiful, and waterbirds like coot, mallard and moorhen. Mink are good swimmers, but unable to dive for as long as otters - dives last for about 10 seconds. So they usually take slower-moving prey than otters do. Mink also eat rats, frogs and insects.
Do mink hibernate?
No, their thick fur keeps them warm over winter, and they feed on waterfowl which are plentiful at that time of year.
Do mink make any noises?
Mink are not very vocal, although they do make a range of squeaking noises when they are with other mink. They have very good eyesight and mainly communicate by visual signals.
How long do mink live for?
Mink live for about 4 years in the wild, but have been recorded living for 10 years in captivity.
When are baby mink born?
Mink usually breed in late February, and the pregnancy may be 1 month or delayed until up to 80 days. 3-5 young kits are born blind and naked, but grow very fast and are weaned at 8 weeks. They leave to find their own territories in August or September.
Do mink have any predators?
Mink are predators at the top of the food chain, with no other animals hunting them for food. However as we mentioned, mink have been trapped by humans for centuries for their soft thick fur, which was used to make warm clothes in winter. Nowadays we have synthetic materials for warmth, but mink are still trapped and bred for their fur, which is very expensive.
Are American Mink protected in Ireland?
Mink are not protected in Ireland. They have a negative effect on stocks of fish and waterfowl, and are regarded as a pest by many. Although they are not hunted commercially in Ireland, mink may be killed or trapped by landowners, and there are still some fur farms in existence. However, although they are hardly a welcome addition to Ireland’s fauna, their arrival has not been the total disaster once predicted.