What is Mink?
[[Image:Europäischer Nerz.jpg|thumb|250px|European mink, ''[[European Mink|Mustela lutreola]]''.]] [[Image:American Mink.jpg|thumb|250px|American mink, ''[[American Mink|Neovison vison]]''.]] '''Minks''' are small, short-legged members of the [[Mustelid]] family. The mink is an aggressive [[mammal]] that is adapted to a semi-aquatic life. Mink live in swamps, rivers, marshes, lakes and streams in [[North America]], [[Europe]], and the far west of [[Asia]]. Mink have a life span of about 8 to 10 years. The common name 'mink' includes animals in two different [[genera]] on two different continents. ==Diet== Minks are carnivores (meat-eaters). They eat small mammals (like [[mice]], rats and [[muskrat]]s), [[frog]]s, [[crayfish]], fish, insects, eggs, and [[duck]]s. ==Predators== [[Owl]]s, [[wolves]], [[coyote]]s, and [[bobcat]]s prey on the mink. ==Reproduction== The breeding season is April to May. It takes 45 to 52 days after mating for birth to take place. A mink litter normally has 6 to 10 cubs (kittens). {{-}} {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Mustelids]]