A domestic ferret "resting" momentarily.Ferrets sleeping in a pile
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Ferret

In general use, a ferret is a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo), a creature first bred from the wild European polecat or steppe polecat at least 2,500 years ago. more...

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Several other small, elongated carnivorous mammals belonging to the family Mustelidae also have the word "ferret" in their common names, including the endangered black-footed ferret.

History

No one knows exactly when ferrets were first domesticated, but ferret remains have been dated to 1500 BCE. Some say the ancient Egyptians had ferrets, but it is more likely that Europeans visiting Egypt saw cats and thought using a small carnivore to protect grain stores was a great idea.

The ferret was probably bred from the European Polecat (Mustela putorius), though it is also possible that ferrets come from the steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanni) or some hybridization thereof. All three species have unique similarities and differences.

Ferreting

For hundreds of years, the main use of ferrets was for hunting, or ferreting. With their long, lean build and curious nature, ferrets are very well equipped for getting down holes and chasing rodents and rabbits out of their burrows. They are still used for hunting in some countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, where rabbits are considered a plague species and the combination of a few small nets and a ferret or two remains very effective despite technological advances. However, the practice is illegal in several countries, where it is feared that ferreting could unbalance the ecology.

Caesar Augustus sent ferrets (named 'viverrae' by Plinius) to the Balearic Islands to control the rabbit plagues in 6 B.C.

Ferrets were first brought to the New World in the 17th century and were used extensively from 1860 until the start of World War II to protect grain stores in the American West. They first became popular as pets in the mid-1970s, chiefly thanks to Dr. Wendy Winstead, a veterinarian and former folk singer who sold ferrets to a number of celebrities and made many TV appearances with her personal ferrets.

Ferrets as pets

In many ways, ferrets act like kittens that never grow up. They have energy, curiosity, and potential for chaos all their lives, and are always keenly aware of their surroundings. However, they are far more people-oriented than cats, and most actively elicit play with their owners.

As a pet, ferrets rank third in the U.S., behind dogs and cats. Ferrets are sometimes accused of being dangerous to small children, but this claim is false -- proportionally, ferrets do much less harm to children than dogs or cats. Their lifespan can vary widely, but most often falls between six and eight years.

Dangers to ferrets

It has been suggested that ferrets were bred for curiosity; whether this is true or not, their curiosity often exceeds their common sense. Ferrets are very good at getting into holes in walls, cupboards, or behind household appliances, where they can be injured or killed by electrical wiring, fans, and other dangerous items. Many enjoy chewing items made of soft rubber, foam, or sponge, which present the risk of intestinal blockage and death if ingested. Screen doors are no match for a ferret's claws, and dryer vents often become escape routes. Fold-out sofas and recliners are particularly dangerous, since ferrets will often climb inside the springs and then be squashed to death once the chair is put into a reclined position.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


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6 Pack Ferret Toys Durable Knotted Rope Tug Perfect for Teething Mammals Cotton6 Pack Ferret Toys Durable Knotted Rope Tug Perfect for Teething Mammals Cotton $15.76 Ferret Fun - Hardcover By Rostoker-Gruber, Karen - GoodFerret Fun - Hardcover By Rostoker-Gruber, Karen - Good $4.46
Ferret (Caring for My Pet)Ferret (Caring for My Pet) $17.88 Ferrets: Complete Care Guide - Paperback By Dustman, Karen Dale - GoodFerrets: Complete Care Guide - Paperback By Dustman, Karen Dale - Good $5.62
Black-Footed Ferrets by Shaffer, Jody JensenBlack-Footed Ferrets by Shaffer, Jody Jensen $43.81 Life Tcg 1st Edition Mammals - Choose Your Card! Rare #1-#25Life Tcg 1st Edition Mammals - Choose Your Card! Rare #1-#25 $6.99 to
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Ferret Fun - Karen Rostoker-Gruber, 9780761458173, hardcoverFerret Fun - Karen Rostoker-Gruber, 9780761458173, hardcover $4.45 Ferret Fun (Hardcover)Ferret Fun (Hardcover) $13.39
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Frisky Ferrets Library Binding Kelly DoudnaFrisky Ferrets Library Binding Kelly Doudna $6.04 Mustelid Mammal Lover | Ferret Mother | Ferret Mom T-ShirtMustelid Mammal Lover | Ferret Mother | Ferret Mom T-Shirt $22.99 to
Ferrets: Providing the Best Home for Your Ferret by Dustman, Karen DaleFerrets: Providing the Best Home for Your Ferret by Dustman, Karen Dale $5.83 Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and SurgeryFerrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery $6.84
Mustelid Mammal Lover | Vintage Retro Ferret Graphic T-ShirtMustelid Mammal Lover | Vintage Retro Ferret Graphic T-Shirt $22.99 to Ferret (Caring for My Pet) - library Hamilton, Lynn|Gillespie, KatieFerret (Caring for My Pet) - library Hamilton, Lynn|Gillespie, Katie $19.10
Ferrets: Complete Care Guide - paperback Dustman, Karen Dale|Stockdale, Rene.Ferrets: Complete Care Guide - paperback Dustman, Karen Dale|Stockdale, Rene. $5.09 Custom Personalized License Plate With Add Names To Ferret Animal MammalCustom Personalized License Plate With Add Names To Ferret Animal Mammal $14.95 to
Ferrets : Providing the Best Home for Your Ferret Paperback KarenFerrets : Providing the Best Home for Your Ferret Paperback Karen $6.04 Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents : Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Paperback by Q.Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents : Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Paperback by Q. $115.37
Ferrets, Rabbits, and RodentsFerrets, Rabbits, and Rodents $94.04 Lions Ferrets & and Bears A Guide to the Mammals of Colorado David M. ArmstrongLions Ferrets & and Bears A Guide to the Mammals of Colorado David M. Armstrong $14.25
Moldova Sc# 533-7, Endangered Animals - Ferrets, Cmpl. set, Vf/Xf Mnh, No FaultsMoldova Sc# 533-7, Endangered Animals - Ferrets, Cmpl. set, Vf/Xf Mnh, No Faults $4.50 Furret 168/159 - Sv09: Journey Together HoloFurret 168/159 - Sv09: Journey Together Holo $10.99
Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery by QuesenberryFerrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery by Quesenberry $21.25 Frisky Ferrets by Doudna, KellyFrisky Ferrets by Doudna, Kelly $4.29
Ferrets Hardcover Holly J. SullivantFerrets Hardcover Holly J. Sullivant $23.50 Ferrets Hardcover Amanda HarmanFerrets Hardcover Amanda Harman $8.87
Life Tcg Black Footed Ferret 14/100 Non-HoloLife Tcg Black Footed Ferret 14/100 Non-Holo $6.00 Ferret; I Love My Pet; Library - library binding, Aaron Carr, 9781621272922Ferret; I Love My Pet; Library - library binding, Aaron Carr, 9781621272922 $10.30
(2) Got Ferret Sticker Decal mammal dimorphic(2) Got Ferret Sticker Decal mammal dimorphic $4.99 Ferrets: Complete Care GuideFerrets: Complete Care Guide $4.67
Ferrets Hardcover Mia BennettFerrets Hardcover Mia Bennett $20.97 Ferrets In Your HomeFerrets In Your Home $8.25
Backvalley Ferrets: A Rewilding Of The Colorado PlateauBackvalley Ferrets: A Rewilding Of The Colorado Plateau $23.51 6Pcs Ferret Toys Knotted Rope Tug Perfect for Teething Mammals Cotton Rope Chew6Pcs Ferret Toys Knotted Rope Tug Perfect for Teething Mammals Cotton Rope Chew $15.76
Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clini., Orcutt, ConnieFerrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clini., Orcutt, Connie $72.99 Ferret Vintage Crossing Sign Xing Plastic Rustic animals mammal kid pet child boFerret Vintage Crossing Sign Xing Plastic Rustic animals mammal kid pet child bo $14.99 to
Hamsters, Gerbils, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, Ferrets, Mice, and Rats: How to.Hamsters, Gerbils, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, Ferrets, Mice, and Rats: How to. $5.61 Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery - Very GoodFerrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery - Very Good $6.28
1849 Bilder Zoology Print - Bears Weasels Ferrets Hounds Dogs Canine Animals1849 Bilder Zoology Print - Bears Weasels Ferrets Hounds Dogs Canine Animals $24.00 Black-Footed Ferrets (Endangered Animals)Black-Footed Ferrets (Endangered Animals) $38.68
Lot # 32 - Two Books On Ferrets As PetsLot # 32 - Two Books On Ferrets As Pets $7.25 Ask Me Anything About Standard Ferrets T-Shirt mammals pets animals small funnyAsk Me Anything About Standard Ferrets T-Shirt mammals pets animals small funny $20.03
Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents,: Cli., Katherine QueseFerrets, Rabbits, and Rodents,: Cli., Katherine Quese $20.99 Ferret Colouring Book For Adults: A Stress Relief Adult Coloring Book Conta.Ferret Colouring Book For Adults: A Stress Relief Adult Coloring Book Conta. $11.31
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Prices current as of last update, 05/20/25 4:01pm.

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