This week we are looking closely at the American Mink (Neogale vison). Plentiful at Murphys Point, these semi-aquatic carnivores primarily eat rodents, fish, crustaceans, frogs, and birds. Despite being active throughout the year, they are mostly nocturnal and not seen as often as expected. The long slender body of the American Mink allows it easy access to the dens of its prey, with their long tails making up approximately one-third of their body length.  They are very good swimmers and are known to swim for up to 3 hours at a time. With a weak sense of smell, they rely primarily on hearing when hunting. Their waterproof coat is predominantly brown to black with a white patch below the chin and throat. American Mink are widespread throughout Canada and the United States, with the exception of some of the Canadian Tundra, and parts of the continental United States. Mink have an average lifespan of 3 years in the wild.  Murphys Point Provincial Park is a great place to observe American Mink in its natural environment.