The ferret (Latin Name: Mustela putorius furo) are a domesticated animal. They can grow to 20 inches long with a 5 inch tail, and weigh up to 4 pounds. They are carnivorous animals, and due to their short digestive system they need to eat frequently. They are crepescular, so they are most active around dawn and dusk.
They are social animals, and enjoy living in groups, called businesses. They have scent glands near their anus, which they use for marking territory, and when threatened. When excited, they will perform a series of sideways hops and bumping into things in a routine called "weasel war dance." It is an invitation to play with it. They also make noises called "dooking" and they hiss. They are susceptible to cancer in their adrenal glands, pancreas, and lymphatic system.
The most common viral diseases are canine distemper and the flu. Ferrets with a white stripe on the top or back of it's head are more prone to Waardenburg syndrome, which will cause deafness.
The main use of ferrets was for hunting, they would be used to chase rabbits and rodents out of their burrows. Non-neutered males are called hobs, non neutered females are called jills, neutered males are called gib, a spayed female is called a sprite, and a vasectomied ferret is called a hoblet. Baby ferrets are called kits. They come in colorations of Albino, Black, Black Sable, Champagne, Cinammon, Dark-Eyed White, and Sable.
They are social animals, and enjoy living in groups, called businesses. They have scent glands near their anus, which they use for marking territory, and when threatened. When excited, they will perform a series of sideways hops and bumping into things in a routine called "weasel war dance." It is an invitation to play with it. They also make noises called "dooking" and they hiss. They are susceptible to cancer in their adrenal glands, pancreas, and lymphatic system.
The most common viral diseases are canine distemper and the flu. Ferrets with a white stripe on the top or back of it's head are more prone to Waardenburg syndrome, which will cause deafness.
The main use of ferrets was for hunting, they would be used to chase rabbits and rodents out of their burrows. Non-neutered males are called hobs, non neutered females are called jills, neutered males are called gib, a spayed female is called a sprite, and a vasectomied ferret is called a hoblet. Baby ferrets are called kits. They come in colorations of Albino, Black, Black Sable, Champagne, Cinammon, Dark-Eyed White, and Sable.