A small, dark-furred creature captured on camera in west London has sparked excitement among local residents who initially thought they were seeing things. The animal, which one Reddit user initially mistook for a weasel, has been identified by the community as a mink.
The sighting occurred in the western part of the city, with the original poster sharing their confusion about what they had encountered. “Yes I just guessed a weasel. It was smaller than a black squirrel,” they explained after fellow Londoners helped with the identification.
The discovery has resonated with other residents who’ve had similar encounters. One user near Riverside and Wonderland shared their own experience: “Omg one ran across my porch a couple weeks ago and I was so confused and thought I was crazy cause I had no idea we had them here! Thank you for the photographic evidence that I wasn’t hallucinating.”
Local Reddit users were quick to provide educational details about the difference between minks and weasels. Minks are significantly larger than weasels, typically measuring 18-28 inches including their tail and weighing 1.5-3.5 pounds. They have dark brown to almost black fur that’s denser and shinier than a weasel’s coat, often featuring a distinctive white patch on the chin or throat.
In contrast, weasels are much smaller creatures, with the least weasel being the world’s smallest carnivore at just 6-10 inches in body length and weighing only 1-8 ounces. They have brown fur on top with white or cream underneath.
One commenter noted that minks are “nasty little aqua warriors” and described them as “very cool animals,” highlighting their semi-aquatic nature and robust build compared to their smaller weasel cousins.
The presence of minks in the London area may be connected to local farming operations. According to one Reddit user, there are “a few farms for mink around london and some got involuntarily freed a few yrs ago may be survivors.”
Unfortunately, not all mink encounters have been as delightful. One resident mentioned spotting what they believe to be mink roadkill during their commute, suggesting these animals are navigating urban areas with varying degrees of success.
The sighting has generated considerable interest among local wildlife enthusiasts, with many expressing surprise at discovering these creatures live in their neighbourhoods. The semi-aquatic mammals are well-adapted to London’s numerous waterways and green spaces, though they remain relatively elusive to most residents.