Scientific Name:
Mustela putorius furo

Status:
Common

Distribution:
The European ferret lives throughout Europe, northern and western Asia, and in northern Africa; and in zoos and homes across North America.

Habitat:
Geographical regions such as plains, forests, mountains, farms, deserts, tundra, grasslands, and other bushy areas. Mustela putorius furo is the species of domesticated ferrets and it is known that they could survive only a few days in the wild.

Diet:
Wild – Much to a farmer’s annoyance, they eat domesticated chickens, and rabbits, though they also eat other small mammals such as mice rats and voles. Zoo - Growth formulas of high-quality meat protein; dry kibble, not soft.

Length:
12 – 20 inches (30 – 51 cm), including the 5-inch (13 cm) tail.

Weight:
3-5 pounds

Reproduction:
After a gestation period of six weeks, the female gives birth to anywhere from two to twelve young, who are born blind and remain so for about twenty days. The European ferret usually breeds twice a year. It has a gestation period of 42-days.


General Description:
A ferret is a small, elongated carnivorous mammal belonging to the family Mustelidae (mustelid) that also includes weasels, badgers and otters. With an objectionable odor primarily the result of sex hormones, castrating male and spaying female ferrets is usually enough to control the situation. They come in a variety of coat colors and patterns which includes brown, cinnamon, black and an albino white. Their face is white with a black mask around.

Behavior:
Sociable, playful, intelligent and known for its boldness. They have a variety of behaviors such as an alligator roll (two ferrets ‘flipping’ the other over), backing into a corner, chasing, joy dances, etc. The European ferret releases an objectionable odor from its anal glands to protect itself when it is frightened or attacked.

Did you know?
They are the third most popular companion pet in the US, following dogs and cats. Ferrets are actually outlawed in a number of countries. In the United States, California and Hawaii ban ownership of ferrets.

________________________________________________________Go up