Mink

The American mink Neovison vison is non-native to the UK and originates from North America.  In the UK it is often mistaken for an otter or polecat.

Adult American mink have a body length of 12-18 inches and a tail that is approximately an additional 50% in length.    The average adult weighs  between 450-1600 grams with the males being fairly larger than females.  Their life expectancy can exceed 10 years in the wild.  The range for the mink is often around 1-3 miles and territories are marked by scat.

American mink are carnivorous and eat a very wide range of food including fish, mammals, birds, crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles and insects.  They have been a major threat to many native species, including water voles, kingfishers, dippers and of course to fish, in the wild, in farms and domestic ponds.