Domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) — species profile (taxonomy, origin, lifespan, husbandry basics)
Authoritative first-hand species account (Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan). All bullet facts are verbatim from the cited source and C1-substring verified.
Natural History & Origin
- It is thought that ferrets may have been domesticated from native European
- The native habitat of domestic ferrets were forested and semi-forested habitats near
- some parts of the world and can be a serious pest of native birds and other wildlife.
Habitat
- Domestic ferrets are kept as pets or as working animals in human habitations.
Size
- ferret weighs from 0.3 to 1.1 kg.
- domestic ferrets can weigh from 0.9 to 2.7 kg, neutered males often weigh less than
- Domestic ferrets have a long and slender body.
Lifespan
- As pets, they can live from 6-10
- they would get nutrients from eating all parts of an animal, such as the liver, heart,
- in live young with the domestic ferrets.
Behavior & Social Structure
- are naturally crepuscular, having activity periods during dawn and dusk.
- associates with others of its species; forms social groups.
Reproduction
- Males are ready to breed when they develop a discolored, yellowish undercoat.
- estrus occurs if the litter size is less than 5 kits.
- the female will go back into estrous while lactating the litter that she just had.
Diet
- Females go into heat between March
- gland disease, diarrhea, colds, flus, ringworm, heat stroke, urinary stones, and cardiomyopathy.
- Domestic ferrets are natural carnivores, and require a meat-like diet.