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Minks and ferrets are two adorable, somewhat similar members of the affectionate Mustelidae family, which includes ferrets, minks, ermines, martens, badgers and wolverines. But while minks come from genera Neogale and Mustela, ferrets are a subspecies Mustela Only. The two weasels also have some other important differences.
Ferrets – domesticated European ferrets (Mustela putorius), and only ferrets are kept as pets. Minks are too wild to be pets, although they are used to keep rats, and European minks (Mustela lutreola) are more associated with ferrets than with North American minks (Neogale vision). They also have differences in appearance and behavior. Let’s take a look at all of their differences below!
Comparison of mink and ferret
| Mink | Ferret | |
|---|---|---|
| Taxonomy | Family Mustelidae; childbirth Neogale and Mustela | Mustela furo |
| Body | Thin, long, small round ears, pointed faces and sharp teeth | Thin, long, small round ears, pointed faces and sharp teeth |
| Coat | Pale white, chocolate brown, dark black, including mixed colors and markings | Pale white, chocolate brown, dark black, including mixed colors and markings |
| Tail | 5-10 inches | 5.1 inch |
| Length / Weight | 12-20 inches; 2-7 lbs | 18-24 inches; 1.5-4.5 lb |
| Is used for | Fur farming, mink oil, ratting | Hunting for burrowing animals, domestic animals |
| Diet | Carnivorous; big booty | Carnivorous; less production |
| Behavior | Territorial, secluded, nocturnal, semi-aquatic | Territorial, social, twilight |
| Habitat | Dams on coasts and marshes in North America and around the world | Tunnels on grassy plains in the wild |
| Life expectancy and health problems | 5-11 years old; UTI, mastitis, hemorrhagic pneumonia and other bacterial diseases, Aleutian disease, influenza, mink viral enteritis | 5-10 years old; dental and heart problems, parasites, adrenal cancer |
| The exercise | 1+ hour / day | 2 + hours / day |
5 main differences between a mink and a ferret
Mink versus ferret: taxonomy
The two mammals are related in that they are both members of the mustelidae or mustelids family Mustelidae. Minks can be of any kind. Neogale or Mustela, but there are only ferrets Mustela… Genus Mustela includes minks, ferrets, weasels, ferrets and ermines. It also includes the European mink (Mustela lutreola), the ferret (Mustela furo), the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), and the European ferret (Mustela putorius). Genus Neogale has weasels that are native to America, also known as New World weasels, including the American mink Neogale vison.
Mink vs. Ferret: Tail
Ferrets and minks have very similar body shapes, proportions, lengths and weights, especially when they are raised under the same conditions. Ferrets and farm-raised minks are usually heavier than their wild counterparts. However, minks tend to have longer tails than ferrets.
Mink versus ferret: Used for
Both related species of mustelids can enter tunnels, find and fight small burrowing animals, and have similar fur. The mink can kill larger animals than the ferret, just like when hunting for food. But while the ferret became a popular pet, the mink continued to be used for fur farming, mink oil, and the rat catcher.
Mink versus ferret: behavior
Minks and ferrets can be territorial or space-fighting. However, ferrets need less space and are also more sociable, live best in groups, and need at least 2 hours of exercise a day. Minks live alone, with the exception of mating or raising offspring, easily fight with other minks, but they only need an hour of exercise per day. They also go out at night, and ferrets go out at dawn and dusk.
Mink vs ferret: habitat
The biggest difference in the habitats of these mustelids is that minks live near water and ferrets live on land. This function determines where and how they live, as minks create burrows on coasts and marshes. Compare to ferrets that live in tunnels, often burrowing other small mammals in the grassy plains.
Next: 10 largest wasps in the world
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