American Mink

mustelid · swimmer · carnivore · invasive species

From North America worldwide. American minks are native to North America, but humans brought them to Europe, Asia, and South America, where they've spread far beyond their original home.

Semiaquatic swimmers. These animals are comfortable both in water and on land, hunting for fish, rodents, crustaceans, frogs, and birds wherever they go.

Farmed for fur. American minks are the most frequently farmed animal for their fur, more popular than silver foxes, sables, martens, and skunks combined.

Invasive troublemakers. In Europe, American minks have become invasive and are linked to declines in European minks, Pyrenean desmans, and water voles that were already living there.

Recently reclassified. Scientists used to think American minks were alone in their genus, but now they're grouped with sea minks and other New World weasels in the genus Neogale.