Ferret facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ferret |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Mustelidae |
| Genus: | Mustela |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
M. p. furo
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| Trinomial name | |
| Mustela putorius furo Linnaeus, 1758
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| Synonyms | |
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Mustela furo Linnaeus, 1758 |
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Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are domestic animals. This means they have been tamed by humans. They are a type of European polecat. Ferrets belong to the weasel family, called Mustelidae.
Ferrets are usually about 20 inches (51 cm) long, including their tail. Their tail is about 5 inches (13 cm) long. They weigh between 1.5 and 4 pounds. Ferrets typically live for 7 to 10 years. Male ferrets are larger than females. They are very social animals. Ferrets are often kept in groups of two or more.
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What is a Ferret?
Ferrets have long, thin bodies. They look a lot like a large weasel. Their fur can come in many different colors and patterns. Sometimes, a group of ferrets might have a unique smell. This smell comes from natural oils that their bodies produce.
How Ferrets Behave
Ferrets sleep a lot, about 14 to 18 hours each day. They are most active around dawn and dusk. This means they are crepuscular. If ferrets are kept in a cage, they need to come out daily. They need at least an hour to play and explore.
Unlike their wild polecat relatives, ferrets enjoy living in groups. They like to dig and prefer to sleep in small, enclosed spaces.
The "Weasel War Dance"
When ferrets get excited, they might do a special dance. It's called the "weasel war dance". They hop sideways, leap, and bump into things. This dance is not aggressive at all. It's a happy invitation to play! They often make a soft clucking sound while dancing. This sound is called "dooking". If a ferret is scared, it will hiss. If it's upset, it might squeak softly.
Ferrets and People
People use domesticated ferrets for hunting. They are also kept as pets. Hunting with ferrets is called ferreting. Their thin bodies help them go into holes. They can hunt rodents and rabbits this way. People have kept ferrets as pets since the Middle Ages.
Ferret Teeth
Ferrets have four main types of teeth:
- Incisors: These are 12 small teeth at the front of their mouth. They are used for grooming.
- Canines: Ferrets have four sharp canine teeth. They use these to catch and kill prey.
- Premolars: There are 12 premolar teeth behind the canines. Ferrets use these to chew their food. They cut meat into smaller pieces.
- Molars: Ferrets have six molars at the very back of their mouth. These teeth help them crush food.
Ferrets as Pets
It is legal to own ferrets as pets in most places. However, they are not allowed in a few areas in the United States. Pet ferrets should get vaccinated. A breeder or pet store will usually spay or neuter them. They also often "de-scent" them. This means removing glands that produce strong natural oils. Without this, ferrets can spray oils like a skunk.
Ferrets are very flexible. They can fit into small holes. This helps them flush out rabbits or rodents. They can also get through open vents or small holes in walls. Ferrets are good climbers. If curtains touch the floor, they can easily climb them.
Ferrets should be kept in a group. If they are alone, they need many hours of activity. Otherwise, they can get bored. Ferrets often sleep curled up together in a ball. This makes it hard to tell them apart!
What Ferrets Eat
Ferrets are carnivores. This means they only eat meat. They cannot digest grains or vegetables well. Their diet should be about 20% fat and 80% meat. Ferrets need a diet high in calories. Regular dog and cat foods do not have enough fats and protein for them. Feeding them such food can shorten their lives.
Fresh chicken, turkey, or duck are good choices for ferrets. There are commercial ferret foods available. But many of these contain grains or fruits. These are not good for ferrets. It's important to research brands or find recipes to make your own ferret food.
History of Ferrets
No one is completely sure why humans first tamed ferrets. It might have been for hunting. Scientists believe ferrets were tamed from the European polecat. This happened about 2,500 years ago. Some people thought ancient Egyptians tamed ferrets first. But there is no proof of this.
The Romans probably used ferrets for hunting. Genghis Khan, a famous ruler, used ferrets in a huge hunt in 1221. This hunt aimed to clear an area of wild animals.
Ferrets were brought to the New World in the 1600s. From 1860 until World War II, they were used to protect grain stores. They kept rodents away in the American West.
Ferrets are still used for hunting in some countries. In the United Kingdom, they help control rabbit populations. Rabbits are seen as a pest by farmers there. Hunting with ferrets is illegal in some countries. This is because people worry ferrets could harm the local wildlife.
Images for kids
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Skull of a ferret
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A common ferret color, called sable or polecat-colored.
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A white or albino ferret.
See also
In Spanish: Hurón para niños
