Ferret factfile

 

Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) - which translates as ‘stinky raging thief’- belong to the carnivore family of the Mustelidae and their closest ancestor is the European polecat [1]. Despite their rather misunderstood nature, they have recently become very popular pets for their charming and cheeky characters.

Knowing more about the biology and behaviour of ferrets can help you to understand them, so here are our top ten ferret facts!

 

1. Ferrets enjoy exploring

• Ferrets are very curious and will test out most items with their mouths.
• In the wild, mustelids spend a large proportion of their active time foraging in wide home ranges [2] and ferrets are motivated to take part in a variety of activities in a large area.

2. Ferrets are predators 

• Ferrets are efficient hunters- rodents, rabbits, hares, hedgehogs and reptiles are amongst the prey of their wild polecat ancestors.
• They rely on their senses of smell, taste and hearing as their eyesight is quite poor.
• Paintings of animals thought to be ferrets have even been found on the walls of Egyptian tombs, and, traditionally, they have ancient roots in hunting. 

3. Ferrets are sociable 

• Though wild ferrets are thought to be largely solitary [3], domestic ferrets are sociable and usually enjoy living in groups, although this does depend on the individual animals. 

4. Ferrets are playful 

• Ferrets are intelligent and need mental and physical stimulation.
• Generally, as in all young hunters, play behaviour of young ferrets helps to develop motor and social skills, learning and predatory behaviours and they can play constantly (when they’re awake!)[4]. 

5. Ferrets like sleeping 

• A healthy ferret may sleep between 18 and 20 hours a day [5]. 

6. Ferrets use a range of methods to communicate 

• As well as using smell to hunt, ferrets use scent to communicate with each other.
• They can tell if another ferret is male or female, strange or familiar and if the mark was left recently or a day ago, just by sniffing a mark left by the other ferret’s bottom [6]. This is particularly useful for mating and defending territory in the wild.
• Ferrets also use postures and vocalisations to indicate how they’re feeling. 

7. Ferrets are vocal 

• An excited ferret will make a ‘dook’ sound, also called chuckling [7]. They may also produce a bark-like sound and sometimes do this if they are afraid too.
• Continuous screaming is an indication of being highly alert in the presence of danger. 

8. Ferrets are flexible 

• Ferrets have a sleek, elongated body and large vertebrae, which allows them to move in confined spaces and turn round in narrow tunnels [8]. 

9. Ferrets are colourful 

• There are five main colours in domesticated ferrets: Fitch (the traditional polecat markings), Albino (also called the English ferret), Silver, Sandy and Dew, all a slight variation in nature [9]. 

10. Ferrets may catch cold 

• Ferrets are highly susceptible to several strains of the human influenza virus.
• Humans can infect ferrets and vice versa [10]. 

 

Understanding ferrets' needs

Ferrets are incredible animals with complex needs that must be met if they are to be kept healthy and happy.

To find out more about the needs of ferrets, read our expert reviewed pet care information:
Environment, Diet, Behaviour, Company, Health and welfare.


References: Numbers in square brackets indicate the source of this information. View the reference list for this page by clicking on the document on the right.