No, the mink’s not just a status symbol or something that keeps you warm – it’s a real, live animal with real world value that goes way beyond money.
Let me explain.
It’s true: There are few animals as synonymous with the current fur trade as the mink. And though most mink fur now comes from mink farms – at least, when there isn’t a COVID outbreak – the wild animal is still hunted and trapped extensively, either to help create that prized mink coat or to control this predator’s numbers to ensure the creatures they prey on have sufficient numbers for human hunters.
One reason the mink is prized for fashion is because its fur is soft and thick, often presumed to be both warm and waterproof, mostly because this mustelid, or member of the weasel family, is semi-aquatic.
But we might need to rethink exactly how much we know about our fine furry friend.
Recent research has shown that mink fur doesn’t retain heat well, nor is it great at resisting water. In fact, mink lose heat quickly and their fast, agile movement might have as much to do with staying warm as it does with tracking down prey.
Unlike river otters – the significantly larger, similarly aquatic-loving mustelid – mink don’t see particularly well underwater. And while they’re known for diving to great depths and being capable swimmers – and have partially webbed feet – the mink don’t have that breast-stroke efficiency or the insulation of an otter.
So, yes, the mink catches fish, but how much fish it can catch ultimately, research shows us, comes down to the temperature of the water and their ability to retain oxygen through a process called bradycardia. Which is interesting, but probably more information than you wanted to know about mink.
Here’s what you should know.
They are strong, fierce little buggers. They can climb trees to catch a squirrel or sprint to chase down a hare or, yes, dive, swim and catch a duck by surprise from below. And though no one skill is greater than that of other mustelids, they might be the best generalist in the family, helped on by hearing so good they can detect ultrasonic noise made by prey – on land or in the water.
And they
will fight
for every inch
of that water
and land.
But unlike some creatures – here’s looking at you, wolverine – they’re not so stubbornly fierce that they don’t know when they’ve been bested. If they’re sharing a marsh with an otter, fine: they won’t fight the otter for the same fish. The mink will adjust its choice of prey, and the time of day it hunts, to find its niche.
And that’s why the mink matters.
The mink is the ultimate leveller of the aquatic ecosystem. Its core role is its predator-to-prey relationship with the muskrat, but its generalist skills means that it can shift its focus to any one species that might be out of balance.
With the mink, aquatic ecosystems – and wetlands in particular – thrive. If the beaver is the architect and the muskrat is the core labourer within the confines of what the beaver builds, the mink is the government regulator, making sure everything is to code.
And, sure, few love the government regulators, but guess what? Without this regulator, the wetland can be overwhelmed with biomass – or organisms – that ultimately leads to problems. Flooding. A breakdown in water and air filtration. You know, all the things that make wetlands one of the most important contributors to life on earth.
How’s the mink doing? Pretty well, thank you.
Mink enjoy cryptic colouration or, put more simply, they’re well camouflaged with their surroundings. And combined with their nocturnal, stealth ways, the mink has proven mostly resilient, unlike their now extinct cousin, the sea mink.
The resilience of this species that can, at times, be a problem. When mink escape from fur farms, often with a slightly different genetic make-up than wild mink, they’re almost impossible to control. That means non-native mink, especially in places like Europe, can become one of the most devastating invasive species on the landscape.
For native, wild mink, just because they’re resilient, doesn’t mean they’re threat proof. Studies in New York are proving that mink might be the species most susceptible to chemical pollution, causing sterilization or outright death, with significant consequences up and down the food chain.
It’s why being a good steward of wetlands matters. It’s why appreciating the role of the wetland regulator is important. And it’s why we should all love ourselves a little mink – the animal, that is.
What do you think?
How much did you know about mink before this story? How did you know so much, or why did you know so little?
What was the most surprising thing you learned watching/reading this story? Why did you find it surprising? How would you share what you’ve learn from this story with your friends and family?
Do you think mink matter? Why or why not?
How have your opinions on mink been influenced by media and pop culture?
Do you think your perspectives on mink have been shaped because of the media you’ve consumed in the past? How could you learn more about mink - and different perspectives - about mink going forward without it becoming a chore?
How do mink impact your world? If mink disappeared from a region, how might it affect your life? Would it?
Do you know if mink live in your area? If they do, are they doing well? Are any threatened?
What local decisions impact mink? Are there any citizen science projects to help others learn about mink in your area? Are there community research programs? Any stories about mink? How might different careers influence the future of mink?
Do you think our society is making well informed decisions when it comes to mink? Why do you think that? What would you do better?
How might you be a better steward of mink through your passions and hobbies?
What do we not know when it comes to mink in Mount Robson, or your community? Do we know enough, or do we need to know more about their role in the ecosystem and their value to biodiversity to make important decisions for people and nature? If so, what?