Mink

HABITAT:

The mink lives along steams, rivers, lakes and marshes where forests border these areas. They dig dens (burrows) a long the waters edge but will also make a den under a log or in an old muskrat burrow. Mink dens have 2-5 entrances and are 8-12 inches long and 1-3 feet underground. The den is lined with grass. In the winter females use atleast 2 different dens (one used 20 different dens in a 77 acre area).

Because they are nocturnal they are rarely seen though are common. They are found mostly in central and western MA. They are occasionally seen in Middlesex county.

BEHAVIOR:

The mink is mostly nocturnal but can also be crepuscular (active dawn and dusk). They are active year round. Minks are solitary and unsociable except during breading season. They are also bold and have been known to steal fishermen’s catches.

The mink is a bounder and will bound 10-20 inches at a time at speeds of 6-8 mph. To escape danger they will climb logs, stumps, or trees. They swim mostly submerged and can dive 8-16 feet deep. They can swim up to 10 feet under water.

It will store its cache (food stores) for a later time. Like the skunk it will spray a bad smelling liquid if threatened.

FOOD:

The mink is a carnivore. It tracks its prey by smell. The mink preys upon muskrats, lizards, ducks, fish, frogs, crayfish, clams, turtles, snakes, insects, mice, bats, moles, rabbits and birds.

PREDATORS:

​Predators include people, dogs, red fox, bobcats and sometimes Great Horned Owls.