The mink belongs to the order Carnivora, which means it is carniverous - a meat-eater. The order Carnivora also includes other meat-eaters such as lions, tigers, hyenas, coyotes, and wolves.

Within the order Carnivora, the mink belongs to the family Mustelidae, commonly known as the weasel family. This family also includes skunks, otters, fishers, martens and wolverines.

Within the family Mustelidae, however, the two living species of mink are now placed in different genuses. The smaller, extremely rare European mink continues to be called Mustela lutreola, but the American mink, formerly called Mustela vison, is now called Neovison vison. A third species, the sea mink, or Neovison macrodon, was hunted to extinction in the late 19th century.

The common name "mink" comes from the Swedish word "maenk".

SIZE: How large is a mink?

PAWS: What are their paws like?

DIET: What do mink eat?

HABITAT / DISTRIBUTION: Where are mink found?

EYESIGHT: What are their eyes like?

LIFESPAN: How long do mink live?

MOUTH: How many teeth does a mink have?

NOSE: How well can a mink smell?

EARS: Are they really so small?

FUR: What is a mink's fur like?

REPRODUCTION: How and when do mink mate?

PREDATORS: What other animals eat mink?

SCENT: Mink have highly developed anal scent glands

OIL: Why is mink oil so good for your skin?

OTHER FURS: How does mink compare to skunk, weasel or nutria?

FURTHER READING

Missouri Conservation Commission Missouri mammals; Mink; Mustela vison
National Trappers Association The Mink, Mustela vison

Source for the section "Mink Biology" include, but are not limited to:

Mink Mating & Young by Nina K. and Joanne M. created for the Museums in the Classroom program sponsored by Illinois State Board of Education, the Brookfield Zoo, the Illinois State Museum., and Kildeer Countryside CCSD 96.

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