Polarized Light Microscopy Digital Image Gallery

Mink Hair

In the wild, minks typically exhibit fur that is dark brown in color with white patching on the underside of the body. However, raised on ranches since the 1860s, domestic minks have been bred to create a wide variety of color morphs. Mink farmers have also selectively bred the animals to produce the highest quality of furs possible, reducing the percentage of coarse guard hairs the pelts contain and creating an even denser soft underfur. The treatment of minks on ranches, however, has been the subject of significant controversy. Territorial by nature, minks kept cages in close quarters can undergo a significant amount of stress. Moreover, many object to the practice of mink farming simply because they consider using the fur of the animals unnecessary since there are so many other fibers available that do not necessitate the killing of animals.


© 1995-2022 by Michael W. Davidson and The Florida State University. All Rights Reserved. No images, graphics, software, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders. Use of this website means you agree to all of the Legal Terms and Conditions set forth by the owners.
This website is maintained by our
Graphics & Web Programming Team
in collaboration with Optical Microscopy at the
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
Last modification: Thursday, Nov 20, 2003 at 03:51 PM
Access Count Since November 20, 2003: 8726
Microscopes provided by:
Visit the Nikon website. Visit the Olympus Microscopy Resource Center website.