We report the effects of candidate gene 5-HT_1A Receptor (5-HT_1A R) gene on self-biting of American Mink(Mustela vison)in this paper.Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the 5-HT 1A receptor gene were identified and genotyped by polymerase chain reaction followed by single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis.Correlation analysis between 5-HT_1A R polymorphisms and self-biting behavior was carried out using Chi-square test.Results show that the genotypes of 5-HT_1A R gene at nucleotide 136(T-G)have no effect on self-biting (χ²= 1.393 6, P>0.2),and that the genotypes of 5-HT_1A R gene at nucleotide 287(C-G)have an effect on self-biting(χ²= 3.769 4, P<0.2).