The
American mink (
Neovison vison) is a semiaquatic species of
mustelid native to
North America, though human intervention has expanded its range to many parts of
Europe and
South America. Because of range expansion, the American mink is classed as a
least-concern species by the
IUCN. Since the extinction of the
sea mink, the American mink is the only extant member of the
genus Neovison. The American mink is a
carnivore which feeds on rodents, fish, crustaceans, frogs, and birds. In its
introduced range in Europe it has been classified as an
invasive species linked to declines in
European mink,
Pyrenean desman, and
water vole populations. It is the most frequently farmed animal for its fur, exceeding the
silver fox,
sable,
marten, and
skunk in economic importance.