Domestic mink
| Domestic mink | |
|---|---|
| |
Domesticated
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Mustelidae |
| Genus: | Neogale |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | N. v. domesticus
|
| Trinomial name | |
| Neogale vison domesticus Decuypere, 2010
| |
Domestic mink (Neogale vison domesticus) are a domesticated, carnivourous mammal, bred for hunting and pest control. Domestic mink differ from their wild ancestors, the American mink, in fur colour, size, thicker pelts, and higher tranquility.[1] Domesticated mink come from fur farms, and are the most common animal raised for their fur, with over 50 million ones farmed annually.[2]
Feral mink populations have been introduced worldwide, as several domestic mink have escaped fur farms and established themselves in the wild. Domestic mink are considered an invasive species in Europe, as they are harming several native species such as the European mink, Pyrenean desman, and water vole.
History
[edit]The first mink fur farming attempts were done from around 1866 to 1887 by Patterson Bros. in Richmond, Ontario.[3] Mink farming was brought to Europe in the 1920s.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "New World Weasels – Genuine Mustelids". Genuine Mustelids. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ "Fur Industry". MSN Encarta. Archived from the original on 24 March 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
- ^ Rouvinen-Watt, Kirsti; Hazlewood, Gary; Bollert, Mike (3 December 2008). "Fur Farming". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ "Invasive American mink has spread throughout Europe". Earth.com. Retrieved 6 November 2024.