The winter fur of the European mink is very thick and dense, but not long, and quite loosely fitting.
The underfur is particularly dense compared with that of more land-based members of the genus Mustela.
The guard hairs are quite coarse and lustrous, with very wide contour hairs which are flat in the middle, as is typical in aquatic mammals.
The length of the hairs on the back and belly differ little, a further adaptation to the European mink's semiaquatic way of life.
The summer fur is somewhat shorter, coarser and less dense than the winter fur, though the differences are much less than in purely terrestrial mustelids.

In dark coloured individuals, the fur is dark brown or almost blackish-brown, while light individuals are reddish brown.
Fur colour is evenly distributed over the whole body, though in a few cases, the belly is a bit lighter than the upper parts.
In particularly dark individuals, a dark, broad dorsal belt is present.
The limbs and tail are slightly darker than the trunk.
The face has no colour pattern, though its upper and lower lips and chin are pure white.
White markings may also occur on the lower surface of the neck and chest.
Occasionally, colour mutations such as albinos and white spots throughout the pelage occur.
The summer fur is somewhat lighter, and dirty in tone, with more reddish highlights.
The winter fur of the European mink is very thick and dense, but not long, and quite loosely fitting. The underfur is particularly dense compared with that of more land-based members of the genus Mustela. The guard hairs are quite coarse and lustrous, with very wide contour hairs which are flat in the middle, as is typical in aquatic mammals. The length of the hairs on the back and belly differ little, a further adaptation to the European mink's semiaquatic way of life. The summer fur is somewhat shorter, coarser and less dense than the winter fur, though the differences are much less than in purely terrestrial mustelids.
In dark coloured individuals, the fur is dark brown or almost blackish-brown, while light individuals are reddish brown. Fur colour is evenly distributed over the whole body, though in a few cases, the belly is a bit lighter than the upper parts. In particularly dark individuals, a dark, broad dorsal belt is present. The limbs and tail are slightly darker than the trunk. The face has no colour pattern, though its upper and lower lips and chin are pure white. White markings may also occur on the lower surface of the neck and chest. Occasionally, colour mutations such as albinos and white spots throughout the pelage occur. The summer fur is somewhat lighter, and dirty in tone, with more reddish highlights.
European mink