Biodiversity Mammals

American Mink
(Mustela vison)

Description Uniform dark brown coat with a medium length tail. Head and body length 350-400mm, weights between 550-800g.

Habitat Near water, including coasts; prefers areas with good ground cover. Found by slow running rivers, ponds, lakes and marshes. Nests in a hole in the bank, the tunnel having two entrances, one just above water level, the other opening onto ground away from the water.

Diet Fish and small mammals, occasional birds and eggs.

Status

Reserve A single animal was resident during the 1990's.

Britain Pre-breeding population of 110,000 estimated. Range and numbers of this introduced species increasing since first breeding population established in the 1950's from fur farm escapees.

	American Mink (Mustela vison)
	American Mink (Mustela vison)

	Description	Uniform dark brown coat with a medium length tail. Head and body length 350-400mm, weights between 550-800g.
	Habitat	Near water, including coasts; prefers areas with good ground cover. Found by slow running rivers, ponds, lakes and marshes. Nests in a hole in the bank, the tunnel having two entrances, one just above water level, the other opening onto ground away from the water.
	Diet	Fish and small mammals, occasional birds and eggs.
	Status
	Reserve	A single animal was resident during the 1990's.
	Britain	Pre-breeding population of 110,000 estimated. Range and numbers of this introduced species increasing since first breeding population established in the 1950's from fur farm escapees.