Ferrets are fun! If you have ever looked for a pet that is easy to keep and acts like an eternal kitten, then consider a ferret or two! Here are 12 fascinating facts about ferrets, thanks to Tamara Labelle at ExoticDirect…
12 fascinating facts about ferrets
by Tamara Labelle from ExoticDirect
- As well as being super cute, ferrets can also be very cheeky and like to steal and hide things. Owners have reported that their ‘little thief’ has run off with the dog’s bone (woe betide the dog spotting them!), shoes, bracelets, computer mice, socks and apples. And once their hoard is found, they just relocate. So if you’ve lost something, you know who to point your finger at…
- Known as a Mustela Putorius Furo in Latin, ferrets are a domesticated version of the European Polecat and belong to the weasel genus. Ferrets have been kept as pets for over 2,000 years, meaning they’re not so ‘wild’ as you think!
- A female ferret is known as a Jill, while a male is known as a hob. If you’re ferret lover you’ll also know that a spayed ferret can be called a sprite, a neuteredmale can be called a hobble, or gib, and a vasectomised ferret can be known as a hoblet. And a baby ferret is known as a kit. That’s a lot of different names for your ferret! But do you know what a group of ferrets is called?
- A group is known as a ‘Business of ferrets’. So next time you tell your ferret friend to ‘mind their own business’ they may just head off to see their ferrets!
- Ferrets love their sleep and can be found curled up snoozing for around 14-18 hours a day. They’re most active at dawn and at dusk. Meaning your ferret can be your alarm clock in the morning, and someone to play with when you get home from work. Being active at these times means they’re ‘crepuscular animals’.
- Ferrets have found their favourite foods by the age of 6 months, and after this, you’ll find it very hard to change any eating habits.
- A newborn kit will only measure 2 – 2.5 inches, which is about the length of your little finger. She’ll also be born blind and deaf, taking about 5-6 weeks to open her eyes and ears. For the first few weeks, she’s totally dependent on her mum. However, even as a baby, she’ll still love cuddles from her human mum.
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- Ferrets can live for around 7 – 10 years and can breed from an early age. Females will be fertile from around 4 months of age, and males from around 6-8 months. This ties in with the first spring after their birth.
- Ferrets are so cute, you can’t imagine them being upset. An upset ferret will squeak at you, and a scared ferret will hiss. However when your ferret is happy she’ll jump around and perform sideways hops. She’ll also make a soft clucking noise called ‘Dooking’. She may also wag her little tail!
- Ferrets are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat, ideally raw. Fruit and veggies are a no, no for ferrets. Even if they beg (which they love to), ferrets shouldn’t be fed them. They’re high in carbohydrate and vegetable protein which could make them very poorly. Check out ExoticDirect’s article on What do ferrets eat?
- Like cats, ferrets can be litter trained. And like cats and other animals, ferrets learn where their ‘toileting’ spot is by smell. Once trained, ferrets will need several litter trays dotted around the house – a favourite spot being near the front door. They view this area as the ‘entrance to their burrow’. Who’s the homeowner now then?
12. Ferrets are very bendy, with a long spinal column. This means they can squeeze into tight spaces and turn around easily to get back out. No shuffling backwards for ferrets!
ExoticDirect can insure a wide range of exotic pets, including ferrets, parrots, reptiles, tortoises, small furries and even pygmy hedgehogs! Check to see if they can insure your exotic pet.
Here is Dr Jo’s ferret Thunder playing with Chilli dog (Ferret play can be rough!!)
And Dr Jo’s other ferret, Lightning, used to steal the soap from the side of the bathtub and hide it under the bed! Very cheeky!!
More small pets
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Steps to find an exotic pet
10 Reasons why guinea pigs make great pets
Why have a snake as a pet?
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