mink, semiaquatic carnivorous mammal of the genus Mustela,
closely related to the weasel and highly prized for its fur. One
species, Mustela vison, is found over most of North America and
another, M. lutreola, inhabits Europe—where it is now rare
except in Russia—and central Asia. The mink has a slender,
arched body, with a long neck, short legs, and a bushy tail. The
fur is thick and shiny; in wild strains it is rich brown all
over the body, except for a white throat patch. Like other
members of the weasel family, minks have musk glands that
produce an acrid secretion. Excellent swimmers, they usually
live near water, where they catch much of their food. The
American mink feeds on aquatic mammals, such as muskrat, as well
as fish, frogs, crustaceans, and birds. It is about 20 to 28 in.
(51–71 cm) long, including the 7 to 9 in. (18–23 cm) tail. Much
of the mink used in the fur trade is bred and raised on farms,
where many color varieties have been produced. Descendants of
escaped farm animals have established