01/11/2023
In light of the recent situation in Utah with the little mink being listed for sale as a ferret, let's take a look at the visual/physical differences between ferrets, domestic mink, and wild mink!
Coat texture:
• Domestic mink coat has a more even, dense, and velvety appearance, with most hairs being consistent in length and incredibly thick.
• Both domestic ferrets and wild mink have less dense coats of more varied knap length, and domestic ferrets have finer, thinner fur than wild mink.
• Another note about domestic mink coats is that they may have an unnatural amount of excess skin, which can make them appear even fatter than they are. They have been selectively bred for these traits- thicker, higher value fur and more of it via excess skin.
Coat colors:
• Wild mink are fairly consistent, appearing primarily in a solid dark brown (and occasionally slightly lighter shades of brown). Their tails may be slightly darker than their bodies, and many have a natural white chin mark, which can sometimes extend down the throat.
• Domestic ferrets come in a wide range of colors (sable, champagne, silver/black roan, white, etc) and a range of patterns/markings as well (point, self, panda, blaze, mitt, etc). The "classic" ferret is sable in color- their legs, tail, and neck are darker in color than the body and face, and there is a dark mask that runs across their eyes However, because there are so many colors and patterns that it would take quite a bit of space to describe , here is a link to Holistic Ferrets with more information about ferret coloration neatly organized with photo examples:
https://holisticferret.com/about-ferrets/ferret-colors-and-patterns/
• Domestic mink come in a wide range of colors and multiple patters that do not occur naturally in wild mink. Colors include variations such as palomino, violet, dawn, black, albino, and many more. Patterns include Jaguar (think classic black & white milk cow), cross (dark head and dark line of color down the back & tail, raining out into white), Himalayan & tuxedo (like a Himalayan & tuxedo cats), and even brindle (which occurs in many dog breeds). Solid colored domestic mink often have the classic white chin mark. I will make a separate post displaying some of the colors/patterns and link it here when it's up.
Size and physical build comparison:
• At around 3lbs, typical Marshalls ferrets & wild American mink are often roughly the same size (though some ferrets can be extra tiny). Both have a slender build and tapered face.
• Domestic mink can be SIGNIFICANTLY larger, with males ranging up to the size of a housecat. Females may be closer in size to a male domestic ferret. These mink often have a more rounded and solid look to them, less wispy & less tapered. They often have a rounder head and stockier body. Their ears may appear much smaller than that of domestic ferrets or wild mink.
If you don't spend a lot of time around mustelids, it can be difficult to tell the difference between these similar animals. When in doubt, reach out!
• Injured/orphaned wild mink may only be cared for by a wildlife rehabilitator
• Domestic mink should be turned over to a species-knowledgeable domestic rescue or wildlife rehab that is domestic mink knowledgeable
• Found ferrets should be immediately reported to local shelters, rescues, and animal control - someone may be desperately searching for their lost pet
NEVER assume a found pet has been dumped, and ALWAYS do your part to attempt to find the owner.
