American Mink

Spending time exploring the shoreline of Lac Seul frequently provides the opportunity to get up close and personal with a variety of creatures that inhabit the lake.  On this occasion I was in my kayak when I noticed the activity of this mink.  I sat patiently with my camera as the gentle breeze allowed me to slowly drift closer.

The American mink (Neovision vision) is a member of the family Mustelidae which includes ferrets, weasels and otters.  Although “cute” in appearance, this semi aquatic mammal is actually an aggressive carnivore known to hunt prey bigger than themselves.  They are good swimmers and are able to dive to a depth of 5 meters.  However minks are also skilled at climbing so their food source includes both aquatic and terrestrial animals including fish, frogs, crayfish and sometimes water fowl as well as muskrats, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks and voles.  They kill their prey by biting them on the throat.