Editing European mink (section)

===Build===
[[File:Mustelalutreolaskull.png|thumb|left|Skull, as illustrated in [[Gerrit Smith Miller Jr.|Miller]]'s ''Catalogue of the Mammals of Western Europe'' (Europe exclusive of Russia) in the collection of the British Museum]]
[[File:Mink1.jpg|200 px|right]]
The European mink is a typical representative of the genus ''Mustela'', having a greatly elongated body with short limbs. However, compared to its close relative, the [[Siberian weasel]], the mink is more compact and less thinly built, thus approaching [[ferret]]s and [[European polecat]]s in build. The European mink has a large, broad head with short ears. The limbs are short, with relatively well-developed membranes between the digits, particularly on the hind feet. The mink's tail is short, and does not exceed half the animal's body length (constituting about 40% of its length).<ref name="s1080">{{Harvnb|Heptner|Sludskii|2002|p=1080}}</ref> The European mink's skull is less elongated than the kolonok's, with more widely spaced [[zygomatic arch]]es and has a less massive facial region. In general characteristics, the skull is intermediate in shape between that of the Siberian weasel and the European polecat. Overall, the skull is less specialized for carnivory than that of polecats and the American mink. Males measure {{convert|373|–|430|mm|in|abbr=on}} in body length, while females measure {{convert|352|–|400|mm|in|abbr=on}}. Tail length is {{convert|153|–|190|mm|in|abbr=on}} in males and {{convert|150|–|180|mm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name="s1083">{{Harvnb|Heptner|Sludskii|2002|pp=1083–1084}}</ref> Overall weight is  {{convert|550|-|800|g|lb}}.<ref name="s1086"/> It is a fast and agile animal, which swims and dives skilfully. It is able to run along [[stream bed]]s, and stay underwater for one to two minutes.<ref name="s1103">{{Harvnb|Heptner|Sludskii|2002|p=1103}}</ref> When swimming, it paddles with both its front and back limbs simultaneously.<ref name="youngman"/>