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American Mink

NEOVISION VISON

Minks can be found in most of the U.S. and Canada except for Hawaii, Arizona, Southern California, Utah, New Mexico, and Western Texas. Native to North America, minks have been introduced around the world by fur farmers. Their fur is soft and thick, with oily guard hairs that waterproof the animal's coat. Their body length is usually around 2 feet with up to half of this length being the tail. Mink diets vary depending on the season. During the summer it consists of crayfish and small frogs, along with small mammals such as shrews, rabbits, mice, and muskrats. Fish, ducks, and other waterfowl are also included. In the winter, they primarily prey on mammals. Mink are semi-aquatic weasels, and possess webbed feet to help them move smoothly and swiftly through the water. Two to three mink babies are typically born during the summer months and are called ‘kits’.

Click HERE for an American Mink Activity Sheet!

Our Current Resident

Ivy, Female - Born May 1, 2015

Ivy came to ZooMontana as a rescue from a private fur farm in 2015. Ivy unfortunately lost most of her tail in 2019 due to cancer but she loves playing in buckets of ice cubes or snow and sleeping with her stuffies. 

Taxonomy

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Carnivora
  • Family: Mustelidae
  • Genus: Neovison
  • Species: Neovision vison

Animal Facts

  • Carnivore: eats meat such as mammals, waterfowl, and others
  • Population: stable
  • Habitat: Rivers & Streams
  • Diurnal: active during the day
  • Semi-Aquatic


Our Animals

Alpaca

Both of our Alpacas were donated to ZooMontana after being retired from the show circuit. They both enjoy being goofy in the barn pasture, often sparring with one another.

American Badger

Uki was brought to ZooMontana by the state in 2019. She was found next to her mother who had been shot. She quickly imprinted on her caregivers during the rehab process, deeming her unreleasable.

American Mink

Ivy came to ZooMontana as a rescue from a fur farm. She loves playing in buckets of ice cubes or snow and sleeping with her stuffies.

Amur Tiger

Sofi and Jasmine are sisters that were born in Florida in 2012 and were raised together. They moved to the Zoo in the early summer of 2014. Whether we are in the middle of a blizzard or a heat wave, t...

Bald Eagle

Emelio came to us from a rehab center in Anchorage, Alaska, and Tokata came to us because she hit a power line with the tip of her wing, breaking her wrist.

Ball Python

Surprisingly, Harry is the oldest animals at ZooMontana. He is a pet surrender, and has been a long time ambassador within the Zoo's education department.

Bearded Dragon

Moana was donated to ZooMontana by a volunteer in May, 2020. Bearded dragons are opportunistic omnivores but Moana loves to eat a variety of vegetables and insects.

Bison

Bert came to ZooMontana in 2018 after suffering a broken leg. Bert and Nellie then had a calf, Jay, in June 2021.

California Kingsnake

Taco came to ZooMontana in 2018 as a pet surrender. Taco is now an ambassador animal used for educational programming.

Canada Lynx

Fierca and Opi both came to ZooMontana in 2014. Fierca came from a private owner and Opi came from the Seneca Park Zoo.

Cane Toad

Cheech was a pet surrender and was brought to ZooMontana in 2016 as a young toad. She can often be seen in the later afternoons as she searches out her food.

Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula

Taboo came to ZooMontana in 2015 as a pet surrender. She enjoys afternoon walks with her keepers.

Chinchilla

Both Minnie and Daisy are pet surrenders who came to ZooMontana in 2019. They can often be seen either on the highest point of the exhibit, or down low in their log.

Chinese Goose

All three of our Chinese Geese were donated to ZooMontana from a local waterfowl rehab center, presumably there as pet surrenders.

Colombian Red-Tailed Boa Constrictor

Both Leroy and Jenkins lived tough lives before coming to ZooMontana. They were rescued from inadequate care after being found living in squalor.

Corn Snake

Jonnie came to ZooMontana in 2011 from Big Sky Vet after he was treated from an altercation with a cat resulting in the loss of his left eye.

Domestic Chicken

With a population of over 25 billion, chickens are the world's most populous bird.

Eastern Screech Owl

Scout came to ZooMontana in 2012 after a car strike blinded him in his left eye. Scout's calm demeanor makes him a popular education ambassador.

Flemish Giant Rabbit

Agnes was donated to ZooMontana after being raised through 4H. She is a gentle being and enjoys a good pat.

Golden Eagle

Oro came to the Zoo in 2006 after being hit by a car. The impact left him with a permanent wing injury.

Great Horned Owl

Gable has been at ZooMontana for over a decade. He came to ZooMontana after a car strike amputated one of his wings.

Green Iguana

Cuzco came to ZooMontana as a pet surrender. He's a handsome devil that enjoys walks in the Zoo's plaza.

Grey Wolf

Kali and Kahlua came to us from the NYS Zoo at Thompson Park in Watertown, New York. They have lived here since they were small pups.

Grizzly Bear

Bruno has been a ZooMontana resident for many years, and Ozzy was a bit of a troublesome bear before he came to ZooMontana.

Guinea Pig

ZooMontana is home to three Guinea pigs that are not on display. Sherman, Hank and Coconut are all pet surrenders.

Hoffman's Two Toed Sloth

Winston is the darling Sloth of Montana. He arrived at ZooMontana in June of 2020 to the delight of many.

Koi

ZooMontana has over 70 Koi. The Koi pond is cared for through the generosity of the Billings Water Skipper Pond Club.

Laughing Kookaburra

Sydney came to ZooMontana from a facility in Tennessee. She enjoys her travels with the Zoo's education crew and loves to laugh. See if you can get her to laugh at the Zoo!

Leopard Gecko

Steve the Gecko is a pet surrender. He very much enjoys a stroll around the Zoo with his keepers.

Madagascar Day Gecko

Both Geckos came to ZooMontana in 2015 through a breeder. They are quick little critters and can usually be seen clinging to the walls of their habitat.

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches

ZooMontana has hundreds of cockroaches, too many to name! The Zoo manages a breeding colony.

Miniature Donkeys

Lucy and Ethel came to ZooMontana is 2020 from a private ranch. They quickly acclimated to ZooMontana and can now be seen, and heard at the Zoo's barn.

Nigerian Dwarf Goat

Both goats were donated to ZooMontana from a local breeder. They love their treats and eagerly await guests.

North American Porcupine

Lander came to ZooMontana in 2019 after she was found next to her mother, who had been shot. She was raised here at the Zoo and is quickly becoming a guest favorite.

North American River Otter

Ben and Amelia were relocated to ZooMontana in 2009 as pups due to issues with a local fishery.

Peacock

ZooMontana is currently home to two free ranging, male Peacocks.

Red Panda

Red pandas prefer bamboo and will only eat the the youngest, most tender shoots and leaves. They eat many other foods as well, including fruit, acorns, roots, and eggs.

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed hawks are the most widespread hawks in North American, often seen soaring above the landscape.

Savannah Monitor

Jack the is a pet surrender. He came to the Zoo as a young lizard in 2018 and is slowly becoming more visible in his habitat. He can most often be seen by looking through the tree hole near his ha...

Sichuan Takin

Khan and Griff came to ZooMontana from the Pueblo Zoo in Colorado. They incredibly curious and can often be seen playing soccer in their habitat.

Sonoran Gopher Snake

Mesa is a pet surrender. Although she was deemed 'aggressive' when dropped off, we at the Zoo have found her to be quite the opposite. She very much enjoys her travels to schools across the state. Be...

Three Banded Armadillo

Bandy came to the Zoo in 2016. She often sleeps in one of her many logs, however, loves to search for worms in the morning and late afternoons.

Three Toed Box Turtle

Both of our box turtles are pet surrenders. They live side by side, but cannot be placed together due to aggression towards one another.

Tiger Salamander

Sally and Simon were donated to ZooMontana as pet surrenders. They have been at the Zoo since 2019.

Turkey Vulture

Lurch came to the Zoo in 1997 after he was found as a fledgling and imprinted on humans, andGomez was found in 2017 on the side of a road with a wing injury, presumably hit by a car.

Vietnamese Walkingstick

ZooMontana currently has dozens of walkingsticks of various ages. Have fun finding them!

Wolverine

Sid and Ahmari came to ZooMontana in 2017 from Sweden to take part in a crucial breeding program to create a genetically pure line of Wolverines.