Main Difference
The main difference between Ferret and Mink is that the Ferret is a subspecies of mammal and Mink is a mammal.
The main difference between Ferret and Mink is that the Ferret is a subspecies of mammal and Mink is a mammal.
Ferret
The ferret (Mustela putorius furo) is the domesticated form of the European polecat, a mammal belonging to the same genus as the weasel, Mustela of the family Mustelidae. They typically have brown, black, white, or mixed fur. They have an average length of 51 cm (20 in) including a 13 cm (5.1 in) tail, weigh about 1.5–4 pounds (0.7–2 kg), and have a natural lifespan of 7 to 10 years. Ferrets are sexually dimorphic predators with males being substantially larger than females.
Several other Mustelids also have the word ferret in their common names, including an endangered species, the black-footed ferret.
The history of the ferret's domestication is uncertain, like that of most other domestic animals, but it is likely that ferrets have been domesticated for at least 2,500 years. They are still used for hunting rabbits in some parts of the world, but increasingly, they are kept only as pets.
Being so closely related to polecats, ferrets easily hybridize with them, and this has occasionally resulted in feral colonies of polecat-ferret hybrids that have caused damage to native fauna, especially in New Zealand. As a result, some parts of the world have imposed restrictions on the keeping of ferrets.
Mink
Mink are dark-colored, semiaquatic, carnivorous mammals of the genera Neovison and Mustela, and part of the family Mustelidae which also includes weasels, otters and ferrets. There are two extant species referred to as "mink": the American mink and the European mink. The extinct sea mink is related to the American mink, but was much larger. The American mink is larger and more adaptable than the European mink but, due to variations in size, an individual mink usually cannot be determined as European or American with certainty without looking at the skeleton; however, all European mink have a large white patch on their upper lip, whereas only some American mink have this marking: therefore, any mink without the patch is certainly of the American species. Taxonomically, both American and European mink were placed in the same genus Mustela, but most recently, the American mink has been reclassified as belonging to its own genus Neovison.
The American mink's fur has been highly prized for use in clothing, with hunting giving way to farming. Their treatment on fur farms has been a focus of animal rights and animal welfare activism. American mink have established populations in Europe (including Great Britain) and South America, after being released from mink farms by animal rights activists, or otherwise escaping from captivity. In the UK, under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to release mink into the wild. Any live mink caught in traps must be humanely killed.
American mink are believed by some to have contributed to the decline of the less hardy European mink through competition (though not through hybridization—native European mink are in fact more closely related to polecats than to their North American cousins). Trapping is used to control or eliminate feral American mink populations.
Mink oil is used in some medical products and cosmetics, as well as to treat, preserve and waterproof leather.
Ferret (noun)
An often domesticated mammal (Mustela putorius furo) rather like a weasel, descended from the polecat and often trained to hunt burrowing animals.
Ferret (noun)
The black-footed ferret, ver=161101.
Ferret (noun)
A diligent searcher.
Ferret (noun)
A tape of silk, cotton, or ribbon, used to tie documents, clothing, etc. or along the edge of fabric.
Ferret (verb)
To hunt game with ferrets.
Ferret (verb)
To uncover and bring to light by searching; usually to ferret out.
Mink (noun)
(plural mink or weasels, with dark native to genera are extant: the American mink (Neovison vison) and the European mink (Mustela lutreola).
Mink (noun)
(plural mink) The fur or pelt of a mink, used to make apparel.
Mink (noun)
(plural article of clothing made of mink.
Mink (noun)
(plural individual with poor personal hygiene; a smelly person.
Ferret (noun)
An animal of the Weasel family (Mustela furo syn. Putorius furo), about fourteen inches in length, of a pale yellow or white color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used to drive rabbits and rats out of their holes. They are sometimes kept as pets.
Ferret (noun)
A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of cotton or silk; - called also ferreting.
Ferret (noun)
The iron used for trying the melted glass to see if is fit to work, and for shaping the rings at the mouths of bottles.
Ferret
To drive or hunt out of a lurking place, as a ferret does the cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts; - often used with out; as, to ferret out a secret.
Mink (noun)
A carnivorous mammal of the genus Mustela (foremrly Putorius), allied to the weasel. The European mink is Mustela lutreola. The common American mink (Mustela vison) varies from yellowish brown to black. Its fur is highly valued. Called also minx, nurik, and vison.
Mink (noun)
The fur of the mink{1}. Together with sable, it is one of the most expensive furs not taken from endangerd species. When the fur is taken from animals grown on a farm, it called ranch mink.
Ferret (noun)
ferret of prairie regions of United States; nearly extinct
Ferret (noun)
domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits
Ferret (verb)
hound or harry relentlessly
Ferret (verb)
hunt with ferrets
Ferret (verb)
search and discover through persistent investigation;
"She ferreted out the truth"
Mink (noun)
the expensive fur of a mink
Mink (noun)
fur coat made from the soft lustrous fur of minks
Mink (noun)
slender-bodied semiaquatic mammal having partially webbed feet; valued for its fur
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