Contrary to common misconception, ferrets are not rodents. They're more like a cross between a cat and a dog, and they're extremely friendly and playful. Ferrets are quite active and require a lot of initial training and care; be prepared for your ferret to command your daily attention. more »
Washing your ferret can be a challenge. Some ferrets love the water while others will do anything to avoid a bath. The best thing to do is make the bath relatively quick and use the bathtub time to bond with your ferret. Make tub time fun and rewarding with treats when your ferret does a good job. more »
Breeding ferrets is a serious responsibility and commitment. It requires a lot of preparation and money. However, if you are ready to begin breeding your male or female ferret, the following steps should assist you in your journey. more »
A ferret who has happily adjusted to a home with his human family loves to be cuddled and petted. Training and proper handling can strengthen the bond between you and your ferret. more »
Ferrets are probably the most entertaining animals you can have for a pet. They are very energetic and curious. Before getting a ferret, you must be willing to commit a lot of time to them and you will need to ferret proof your home. They are prone to certain illnesses, so you will need to a veterinarian. Just like your dog or cat,... more »
Ferrets were rare pets until 30 years ago when celebrities started keeping them. Ferrets are energetic and playful animals that are both fun and...
While dogs may love car rides with their heads sticking out the window, cats usually don’t enjoy riding and can do some serious damage to...
To adopt a ferret, research the needs of a ferret, find out how social the ferret is, make sure...more »
House a ferret in a commercial, multilevel ferret cage using non-edible bedding, a shallow...more »
Raising ferrets requires having a properly set up cage, constant supervision, a good diet, and...more »
Feed ferrets commercial diets designed for ferrets only. Use treats that are approved for...more »
When buying a pet ferret, make sure they are legal in your state, research pet ferret needs,...more »
Caring for ferrets includes providing a multilevel wire cage with hammocks, a water bottle and...more »
To make a ferret cage, follow the general specifications of a commercial cage, make sure it is...more »
Ferrets are members of the Mustelidae family, which is composed of the weasel, ermine, skunk, badger, wolverine,... more »
Ferrets are intelligent creatures and can become bored easily. To keep your ferret's cage a stimulating environment,... more »
Ferrets are obligate carnivores, which means they require a diet that's very high in meat-based protein and fat.... more »
Ferrets are bright and fun-loving animals and can be taught to obey simple commands. You can train a ferret far more... more »
Sometimes ferrets can develop the bad habit of nipping. If you have a young ferret it is important to teach them no... more »
Bathing your ferret removes essential oils from his fur and skin. Your ferret only needs a bath about every 2 to 3... more »
Ferrets can be trained, and they make very loving pets. To own a ferret takes some patience, though. Ferrets are... more »
There are several things you must do when you decide you want to adopt a ferret. With preparation the process can go... more »
You must feed, clean up after and exercise ferrets just as you do children. Ferrets live an average of 7 to 8 years.... more »
Ferrets are great pets, but they are also very mischievous. Before you get a ferret, you have to make sure that it... more »
Ferrets are a different and fun-loving pet choice. But because ferrets are illegal in some states and rare in... more »
The word "ferret" means "little thief" in Latin. This is an omen. Your living quarters are about to be reduced to an... more »
Ferrets are very social animals that love interacting with humans. They can make wonderful gifts, but only if the... more »
Before you take on a pet ferret, be sure that you are legally allowed to keep a ferret. In states such as... more »
Ferrets are very clean pets much like cats. In fact, it is possible to litter train a ferret just like a cat. It... more »
While ferrets like to nip and bite while playing, it is the owner's responsibility to teach them to avoid this... more »
A bath is usually not your ferret's idea of a good time, so make sure to stay calm - it's possible to make it fun... more »
All pets require maintenance and cleaning to ensure that their cage and body is kept in a healthy state. Ferrets are... more »
Pet ferrets can be bred easily if you begin preparing for breeding seasons when you obtain them. Most pet ferrets... more »
Baby ferrets, or kits, are as interesting as their adult counterparts. However, because they're young, care... more »
The ferret is a domestic mammal of the type Mustela putorius furo. Ferrets are sexually dimorphic predators with males being substantially larger than females. They typically have brown, black, white, or mixed fur, have an average length of 20 inches (51 cm) including a 5 inch (13 cm) tail, weigh about , and have a natural lifespan of 7 to 10 years.
Several other small, elongated carnivorous mammals belonging to the family Mustelidae (weasels) also have the word ferret in their common names, including an endangered species, the Black-footed Ferret. The ferret is a very close relative of the polecat, but it is as yet unclear whether it is a domesticated form of the European Polecat, the Steppe Polecat, or some hybrid of the two.
The history of the ferrets domestication is uncertain, like that of most other domestic animals, but it is likely that ferrets have been domesticated for at least 2,500 years. They are still used for hunting rabbits in some parts of the world today, but increasingly they are being kept simply as pets.
Being so closely related to polecats, ferrets are quite easily able to hybridize with them, and this has occasionally resulted in feral colonies of ferret polecat hybrids that have been perceived to have caused damage to native fauna, perhaps most notably in New Zealand. As a result, some parts of the world have imposed restrictions on the keeping of ferrets.
Biology
Characteristics
Ferrets have a long and slender body covered with brown, black, white, or mixed fur. Average length is 20 inches including a 5 inch tail and they weigh 1.5 to 4 pounds. The males are substantially larger than the females."Oaklands Zoo"> Gestation is 42 days and litter size averages 3 to 7. The young are weaned after 3 to 6 weeks and become fully independent at 3 months. Sexual maturity may come at 6 months. Average life span is 8 years."Oaklands Zoo"/>
Behavior
Ferrets are crepuscular, which read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferret
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferret
Connect with people who share your interest by joining one of our groups.
Join a Group
How to Save Money on Home Projects
How to Make Sense of Prostate Disease and Surgery
play video
How to Improve Stamina in Tennis
Setting Up a Home Office
Copyright © 1999-2010 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use † and Privacy Policy †. en-GB † requires javascript
