When you take a walk along the Cape Cod Canal in February, there are certain things you expect to see: ring-billed gulls, hundreds (if not thousands) of common eiders, and common marine intertidal organisms, such as knotted wrack, common periwinkles, and barncles. But there’s another Canal resident that you may not be aware of: the American mink. Mink never live far from water, and although they are typically found along freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes, American mink (Neovison vison) will also utilize coastal habitats. I have seen them ducking in and out of the crevices in the rocks along the edge of the Canal on multiple occasions, but I have never been able to get photos. However, a friend of mine was able to capture a number of great shots last weekend (photo credit for all three photos in this post: Joe Olenick). 

As members of the mustelid (aka weasel) family, minks are long and skinny, with short legs and a pointed face. They can range in size from 17 to 29 inches in length, including their tail, but rarely weigh more than about 3 pounds, given their slender build. Their coat is predominantly dark red-brown, except for a small white chin spot. In addition to their thick water-repellent fur, minks are also equipped with partially webbed toes making them well adapted to their semi-aquatic lifestyle. They are also active, fierce predators, hunting both on land and in the water, where they catch fish, crustaceans, ducklings, rodents, and more. The nooks and crannies between the rocks along sides of the canal provide the perfect hunting ground for these animals.