Mink - Neovison vison

The introduced American Mink is a semi-aquatic, solitary predator with a slender body, short legs and a tail that is about a third of the body length. The thick, glossy fur can vary in colour but is generally dark brown or black and becomes darker in winter. It often has white patches on its chin or throat. It also has a pink nose.  They have a diverse diet including fish, frogs, birds, crayfish and small mammals (considered main predator and reason for decline in local water vole populations)

Mink can be confused with Otters but are smaller and the pink nose of the Mink differs from the beige nose of the Otter

Adult Scat Paw Prints

Pink nose, sleek/glossy fur, short legs, bushy tail.  White patch on chin/throat.  Some individuals have white patches on their pelage (body hair) and white-tipped tails but remain the same in physical appearance.

Scats are foul smelling - a sniff test should determine if it is a Mink scat

A clear photograph showing identification features should accompany your record.  If not possible, please say why and include a detailed description of the observed species.

A clear photograph of any field signs is required.  Paw prints require a ruler or similar to evaluate size and description of where found.

Lives generally near water (rivers, lakes, canals, and coastal areas, but is also found in meadows, woodland and in urban and rural areas around buildings where food sources are readily available.  They are good climbers and readily seen in trees near to watercourses.

All year round.  Kits are taught to hunt by mother in early summer and may be observed in a family group out hunting.  Can be seen during the day actively hunting as well as during hours of darkness. It is primarily nocturnal/crepuscular (out at dusk and dawn).

American Mink, native to North America, were first introduced to fur farms in Britain in 1929; the first official record of escapees breeding in the wild was in 1957. 

Mink live for 3 to 10 years in the wild.  They breed in late winter/spring and have a delayed implantation to enable females to give birth around the same time in spring.  They have an average of 4-6 kits with young dispersing by late summer and reach maturity at ~ 10 months old.

Since its escape into the wild they were quick to breed and disperse widely across the UK due to lack of predators or strategic controls.  County-wide controls across the UK have resulted in significant decline across some counties.

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland, especially along major waterways and adjacent wetland of the Soar, Wreake and Sence.