American mink are often mistaken for otters, but are much smaller with fluffier tails and pointed snouts. Inside this beautiful looking creature lurks an indiscriminate killer of birds, fish and small mammals that decimate ground-nesting birds and tackle fish as large as themselves. Native to North America, they were introduced around the world for fur farming. Escapees and deliberate releases have resulted in this great survivor becoming established in Europe and South America and with no natural predators in the UK, their populations are thriving.

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