History of Ferrets

Common domesticated ferrets are members of the Mustelidae family and are related to otters, minks, weasels, skunks and even badgers ! Their Latin name is Mustela Furo. Furo, in Latin, means “thief”. Anyone that has owned a ferret knows that this is a well deserved accusation. Because of their burrowing and storing instincts, ferrets will comonly steal household items such as food, toys, wallets, keys, brushes, shoes or whatever they are able to physically drag. These items typically end up in their ‘indoor burrows’ such as a couch or dresser drawer.

The domesticated ferret is descended from the European Polecat but only exists in captivity today. Most of them could not survive on their own outdoors, so they now rely upon their human companions for food and protection. Although the domesticated ferret does not exist in the wild, they are close cousins to the United States Black Footed Ferret.

Black Footed Ferret

The endangered Black Footed Ferret was amazingly almost extinct in the 1980s. Reports state that there were 6 ferrets in captivity and 12 in the wild. Those 12 were captured, which brought the only population of Black Footed Ferrets to a grand total of 18 … all in captivity. Conservation groups have been breeding and re-introducing the Black Footed Ferret to designated areas of a few states ever since. Currently, Along with Wyoming, the Black Footed Ferrets can now be found in Montana, Arizona, Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado and Utah. there are well over 1,000 of these ferrets. What a comeback !

The Common Ferret

Ferrets have been domesticated for thousands of years now, which predates that of the common house cat. This domestication is widely believed to have been started by the ancient Egyptians with today’s common ferret being a descendant of the European Polecat

In the 1700s ferrets were brought to the US by ships from Europe. Ferrets would be released into barns or granaries and were used to chase mice and rats out of their hiding places. Ferrets have also been used for rabbit hunting. A ferret will be sent down a hole, chasing a startled rabbit out and into the path of a hunter. So, if today you happen to have a pet rat or rabbit, it is not a good idea to ever let them share space with a ferret … you won’t like the outcome.

Ferrets have a long and slender body covered with brown, black, white, or mixed fur. Average length is approximately 20 inches which includes a 5 inch tail. Ferrets weigh between 1.5 and 4 pounds – with the males being larger than the females.

Lovable

If you haven’t had a chance to get up close to – and hold – a ferret, you are missing out. They are marvelously clever, smart and friendly animals and make wonderful house pets. It is believed that ferrets are the third most popular pet in the U.S. , following dogs and cats.

Energetic

Ferrets tend to have crazy amounts of energy. Although ferrets, like kittens or puppies, are most rambunctious as kits, they usually remain frisky throughout their lives – much to the delight (and sometimes frustrations) of their owners.

Ferrets love to chase and be chased. They can seemingly keep up this activity for hours. This activity is displayed at it’s best when another ferret or two is nearby. The two of them will take turns running, jumping, biting, chirping – or dooking, rolling around and just clumsily bouncing off of things. It is impossible to not be amused by this activity. Which is why watching your ferrets can serve as a great medicine for your worst of days.

Owning more than 1 ferret

The social and playful reasons mentioned above is exaclty the reason that I recommend you own 2 ferrets. 2 or more that is. Many people I know have 3,4 or more ferrets at home. One of my Facebook friends has over 20 ! Ferrets are very social and require an amount of attention that you as a human can not always provide. I feel that it is extremely cruel to simply house (or worse, constantly cage) a single ferret that doesn’t get the attention he/she craves. The costs of owning 2 ferrets vs 1 is not that much greater and you will be rewarded immensely by the antics that the two of them display.

Play Hard, Sleep Hard

All of your ferret’s antics require a lot of energy. After a busy amount of play time, your ferret will disappear for hours at a time to sleep. As a matter of fact, they can sleep 16-18 hours during a day. If you need to cage your ferret, hopefully you can time the caging around his/her down time.

Food and Diet

Ferrets are obligate carnivores.The natural diet of their wild ancestors consisted of whole small prey, i.e., meat, organs, bones, skin, feathers, and fur. Although some owners will feed their ferrets live food such as mice or baby chickens, there are alternatives for others wanting less gore in their homes. Marshall Farms, Evo, Kaytee, 8 in 1, Path Valley and others provide ferret food that meets these dietary requirements. We usually buy it online and have it delivered which can save a lot of money. Although these ferret foods claim to provide 100% nutrition, most owners still try to supplement their ferret’s diet with some form of meat (fresh or dehydrated) and vitamin rich snacks and oils.

Legal in every state but California

Currently, ferrets are legal in every continental US state except California. Evidently, the California Department of Fish and Game has some concerns about environmental impact and concerns over feral ferrets. One of their publishings can be found here.

Understandably, some Californians wish this rule would be abolished. If you are a California resident, you can contact various organizations which seek the legalization of ferrets. A few of these groups are Ferret Anonymous and Legalize Ferrets.

The Number 1 Rule of Ferret Ownership

If you do become a ferret owner, you are required to post and share as many pictures as possible with your online friends.

Some ferret facts :

• Life Span : 5-8 years
• Body Temperature : 100 degrees F – 103 degrees F / 37.8 degrees C – 39.4 degrees C
• Litter Size: average 8
• Gestation : 42 days
• Hearing: they are born deaf but hear after a month or so
• Sight: born with eyes closed, open after 34 days

• Teeth: arrive at 14 days, adult teeth at 47 days
• Color: all kits are white but change color after a few weeks
• Sexual Maturity: 5-6 months
• Heart Rate: 200-250 beats per minute
• Respiration: 33-36 breaths per minute
• Adult Weight: 1.5lbs-5.0lbs / 500gm-2.5kg
• Adult Length: 18-24inches / 44cm-60cm (including tail)

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