Mink

Mink, a popular name for a partially aquatic species of the genus Putorius, from the northern parts of both hemispheres. They are closely allied to the weasels, which they resemble in form, though of much larger size. P. lutreola is the European, and P. vison the American Mink. The rich brown fur of both is valuable, and for its good qualities as a ratter the American form is largely bred. P. sibericus, the vison from Siberia, seems to link these forms with polecats.