Orphaned mink kit comes into Mountainaire’s care

I seem to be coming across more and more stories about orphaned minks – I wonder why.

Good to see they found a suitable home for this little one and I hope it will grow up to have a full and happy life.

Baby mink require a lot of care and attention

By Sandy Fairfield
Aug 11 2006

This summer has provided MARS with some unusual visitors many of which have been mammals.

The Swedish word “mink” refers to a “stinking animal” which one immediately assumes would be a skunk. However, it is indeed the American mink, which is an aquatic member of the weasel family, and the “stinking animal” actually refers to a musky smelling secretion produced by the anal glands which is used to mark its territory.

These solitary, playful animals are found throughout North America and are often mistaken for muskratsMink were a major economic attraction for the first European settlers who trapped them for their luxurious fur. They were imported back to Europe where they escaped from the fur farms and practically wiped out the native weasel species.

These sleek bodied animals have lustrous chocolate brown to black fur with white markings on the chin and throat; the fur is waterproofed by oily guard hairs.

Similar in size to a small housecat, mink have short legs and their tails are long and bushy. Flexible spines enable them to arch their backs and achieve amazing speeds.

Mink are very skilled swimmers aided by partially webbed feet, and are equally adept climbers.

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All-About-Ferrets.com

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