The American mink (Neovison vison) (or just 'mink') can be seen wild in the UK after having escaped from fur farms in the 1960s. It is a lovely looking animal, but can be considered an invasive species.
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It is carnivorous, feeding on anything it is big enough to catch, including ground-nesting seabirds and the water voles, which are now threatened with extinction.
Mink are good swimmers.
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Mink females have one litter of four to six kittens a year. Mink can be distinguished from otters by their smaller size, darker fur, and smaller face.
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