Minks belong to the Mustelidae family, making them relatives of weasels, otters, ferrets, and skunks. Like weasels and skunks, they have scent glands in their tails, which they use to mark territory.

There are two species of mink: the American mink and the European mink. The European mink is significantly more endangered and has a distinctive white patch on its upper lip. However, in some cases, they can only be identified by their skeletal remains.

The American mink is highly valued for its fur, which led to a cruel and widespread fur industry. In the 1960s, two veterinarians in Ireland started a mink farm, but animal rights activists released 3,000 minks into the wild. Similar incidents occurred worldwide, resulting in American minks establishing populations in non-native habitats. In the United Kingdom, releasing minks into the wild is illegal, and some countries require captured minks to be euthanized.

A now-extinct species, the sea mink, was closely related to the American mink but significantly larger. It once lived around the Gulf of Maine and New England.

Minks can live up to 10 years, but in the wild, their lifespan averages only three years due to predators and other dangers.

Their diet includes fish, eggs, birds, and other aquatic life. They have also been known to eat their own young. On farms, they are typically fed expired milk, cheese, eggs, fish, poultry, turkey livers, and dog food.

Their thick fur is nearly waterproof, and their webbed feet make them excellent swimmers. While they are more agile in the water, they are also skilled tree climbers. Mostly nocturnal, they hunt primarily at dawn and dusk.

Minks have a fast metabolism and need to consume about 20% of their body weight daily. Additionally, mink oil, derived from their fat, has been used in medicine, cosmetics, and leather waterproofing treatments.