The mink is a small mammal that belongs to the family of weasels. The two species of minks are American and European. Mink have a soft fur that is usually black or dark brown in colour. Mink have a long, thin body, short legs, pointed snouts, webbed feet and sharp claws.
Mink are found in all Indiana counties but are most numerous where many ponds, streams, and lakes occur. Mink are adapted to land and water but usually make their homes near the water’s edge. They are excellent swimmers and divers but will travel into upland areas to hunt or find mates. Because of their secretive habits, there is a lot we don’t know about Indiana mink, but they seem most numerous in areas of high-quality wetlands.
Mink are primarily solitary except during breeding season. Mink breed in March, and the male does not help raise young. Mink dens may be located in hollow logs, bridge abutments, rock piles, ground burrows, or muskrat houses. Three to six young are born in late April or May, 42 days after conception. Newborns weigh only a quarter-ounce and are helpless. If disturbed, the female may move her young to another den. Their eyes open, and they begin to take solid food at about 1 month of age. They begin hunting with their mother two months after birth. The young in a litter break up from the family group during autumn to begin life on their own.
Credit : Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Picture Credit : Google
