MINK

New World mink (Mustela vison) either of two weasel-like species of the genus Mustela (M. vison [see photograph], New World mink, of forests in North America, and M. lutreola, Old World mink, of Eurasia) of the weasel family, Mustelidae, trapped and raised commercially for their prized pelts. Slightly larger than the European mink, the North American mink measures about 3050 centimetres (1220 inches) in length, exclusive of a 1323-cm tail, and weighs 1.6 kilograms (3.5 pounds) or less. Both species have short legs, long necks, and broad heads with short, rounded ears. Their pelage is deep, rich brown, with or without white spots on the underparts, and consists of a dense, soft underfur overlaid with dark, glossy, almost stiff, guard hairs. Mink are nocturnal and semi-aquatic, swimming, fishing, and foraging for various animal prey. A litter of up to 10 kits follows the gestation period of 3976 days. Crossbreeding has led to the production of many mutant colours of fur; except for the rarer mutant colours, however, the fur of wild mink is more valuable than that of ranch mink. The North American species of mink is found throughout North America except in the arid regions of the southwestern United States. The Eurasian species is absent from much of western Europe. The kolinsky (kolinski), or Siberian weasel (M. sibirica), is sometimes called the China, Japanese, or yellow mink.