European mink  (Mustela lutreola)

The European mink is one of Europe’s most endangered mammals. It is a medium sized mustelid with a long slender arched body, short legs and a short bushy tail (2). The fur is normally blackish brown with a distinctive small band of white fur around the upper and lower lips and occasionally on the throat (5). This marking and its smaller size usually distinguishes it from the American mink M. vision (6), but occasionally individuals may look so similar that only the skeleton or genetic analysis can guarantee correct identification (7). Its dense pelage is short, even in the winter (8), as it does have a thick water-repellent undercoat which insulates the mink when swimming (5). The European mink has other adaptations for a semi aquatic life; its feet are partly webbed and therefore useful for hunting underwater, swimming and diving (7). However, its eyesight is not well adapted to seeing underwater and so it relies heavily upon its sense of smell when foraging for terrestrial prey (7).

Males and females look very similar, but the males are up to 80% larger (2). The reason for this difference is that males compete for mates and territories and so benefit from being larger, while the females have to protect and feed the offspring as well as themselves. If the females were larger they would have to consume even more food for themselves, which would result in spending less time with the young (7). Mink offspring are similar in appearance to adults (7).