Wildlife Quiz - The American Mink

The American Mink (Neovison vison) boasts an impressive range stretching from the west to east coast of the United States and from the arctic tundra to South America. Through human introduction, the mink has even expanded its range to parts of Europe. Counting the tail, minks measure approximately15–18 inches in body length, with females measuring 3-4 inches smaller. An elongated and slim creature, despite the mink’s long length, they rarely exceed more than 2-3 pounds.

Coloration of individuals can vary from brown to an almost black. Mink maintain hunting territories by marking an area with a strong odor from their scent glands. While primarily preying on fish, a large part of the mink’s diet also consists of rodents, birds and a wide assortment of crustaceans and amphibians. Mink routinely kill more than they can eat and store the extra for later in their dens.

A solitary creature by nature, minks will not tolerate intrusion into their territories by other minks, males and females even den separately except when breeding. A promiscuous animal, the mink does not form pair bond but instead prefers to mate with a different individual each breeding season. The mating season begins in February with young born by June. Litters on mink young or “kits” average around 4 individuals with litters as high as 16 being recorded by minks in captivity. The kits begin hunting after eight weeks, but stay with their mothers until fall, when they become independent. For rearing young, shelter and protection from predators, mink create burrows in river banks or hollow trees.

An opportunist, the mink will even occasionally nest in burrows dug by other animals such as muskrats, squirrels and other rodents. A vicious and ferocious creature despite its relatively diminutive size, few predators prey on the mink, and they are only occasionally eaten by bobcats, fox, coyotes or owls. The average lifespan of a wild mink spans from 1 to 3 years with a vast majority of mink falling prey to disease, starvation and predators within the first six months. In captivity, minks may live as long as seven years.

Wildlife Quiz Questions:
1. What is the range of the American Mink?
2. How long is the American Mink?
3. How much does an American Mink weigh?
4. What does the American Mink eat?
5. What are baby American Minks called?
6. How many kits are in a typical American Mink litter?
7. How soon after birth can kits begin hunting?
8. What is the average lifespan of an American Mink?

Wildlife Quiz Answers: 
1. The American Mink boasts an impressive range stretching from the west to east coast of the United States and from the arctic tundra to South America. Through human introduction, the mink has even expanded its range to parts of Europe.
2. The American Mink measures approximately 15–18 inches in body length, with females measuring 3-4 inches smaller
3. American Minks rarely exceed more than 2-3 pounds.
4. The American Mink primarily preys on fish; a large part of the mink’s diet also consists of rodents, birds and a wide assortment of crustaceans and amphibians.
5. Baby American Minks are called kits.
6. American Mink litters average around 4 kits with litters as high as 16 being recorded by minks in captivity.
7. Kits can begin hunting after eight weeks.
8. The average lifespan of a wild American Mink is from 1 to 3 years with a vast majority of mink falling prey to disease, starvation and predators within the first six months.