The ferret is small, having a slim, long body with short legs. The two kinds of ferrets most often seen are the domestic ferret and the Black-Footed ferret. When frightened, both of these, will discharge a strong-smeeling secretion from thier scent glands, located under the tail.
The domestic ferret is kept as a pet or for use in hunting rabbits, rats and other small vermin. Ferret owners usually have the scent glands removed inorder to avoid the animals strong musk smell, but this does not totally rid the animal of a scent, it just lessens the order secreted.
Generally, the male ferrets are 16 to 26 inches (40 to 65cm) in length, including the tail, and weighs from .88 to 3.77 lb (.40 to 1.71 kg). The color of most domestic ferrets varies, with the most common being a yellowish-white with dark tips and a black mask, tail and feet. Some ferrets have completely brown, almost black, coats.
The Black-footed ferret has a somewhat dull yellow coat with brown fur on the head and down the middle of the back. It has black fur on the feet, legs, mask, and at the end of its tail.
Females are slightly smaller than the males. Black-footed ferrets are found in the prairies of North America. However, due to the drastically reduced number of the prairie dog, its main food source, the black-footed ferret has become an endagered species.
The ferret has a history of being houshold as far back as 500 years before the domestic cat, and with help of local, state and national, ferret rescues, clubs and organizations, this small, cuddly and very playful oet is making a slow return to its well deserved place in homes around the world.
Coming Soon: ..Litter Training Your Ferret ...It's really not that hard
© 1996 tom_kealy@hotmail.com
