4839-White Ferret 23 cm.L

Ferret

Description The ferret is a small mammal characterized by its soft fur, cone-shaped nose, short legs, as well as long body, tail, and claws. Their coat can be white, sable, silver, chocolate, or black sable in color. Female ferrets are known as jills, while male ferrets are called hobs. It is believed that this creature is native to Europe, but it is becoming more and more popular worldwide as pets because of its calm temperament. Ferrets are carnivorous animals. The Black-footed ferret’s diet typically consists of rabbits, rodents, possums, hedgehogs, prairie dogs, birds, fishes, bird eggs, as well as other small mammals, invertebrates, reptiles, and carrion. Meanwhile, ferrets which are domesticated may be given factory-made food. Black-footed ferrets are more active at night, and spend their time hunting. In addition, they also possess great senses of sight, smell, and hearing. The mating season of ferrets occurs around March and April. The gestation period of this animal may last for 35 to 45 days, and a female ferret may give birth to up to 6 kits or baby ferrets. The newborns stay with their mother for approximately 42 days, and becomes independent when the autumn season comes. When the young ones reach about a year old, they become sexually mature.

Status According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Black-Footed Ferret is categorized as Endangered. The main threats to this species include loss of habitat and the decrease in the numbers of prairie dogs, which are a primary food of this animal.