The Deadly Charm Of Wyoming’s Mink: Elusive Predators Of The Waterways

They might look like cute, curious creatures in a photograph, but the mink of Wyoming are among the state’s most effective and vicious predators. Seldom seen even by seasoned wildlife watchers, these sleek members of the weasel family stick close to rivers and streams, where they hunt with remarkable speed and ferocity.

“They will eat anything they can catch. They are true carnivores,” said retired wildlife biologist Franz Camenzind. Their diet is extensive, including muskrats, fish, frogs, snakes, and young birds. Camenzind noted that muskrats are likely a favorite prey, and he has witnessed a mink kill and consume an entire clutch of baby mallard ducks. Their hunting prowess is shared with relatives like the black-footed ferret, which takes down prairie dogs larger than itself. “It’s a tough family,” Camenzind observed.