Ferret Facts

About the ferret

Ferrets can breed with European polecats and have hybrid young, which is strong evidence that they came from that wild species. Like other mustelids, they have long, slim bodies. An average ferret is about 50 cm (20 in) long with the tail, weighs 0.7 to 2.0 kg (1.5 to 4.4 lb), and has fur in black, brown, white or a mix. Males are much larger than females.

Nobody agrees on exactly when ferrets were domesticated, because written records are thin and inconsistent. Scholars do agree they were bred for rabbiting, the sport of hunting rabbits. In North America ferrets have become popular pets, and the United States alone has more than five million. They have also helped scientists study the brain and infectious diseases, especially influenza.

Did you know?

• Feral polecat and ferret hybrids have harmed native wildlife in New Zealand.
• People often mix up the domestic ferret and the black-footed ferret, a different species native to North America.
• The ferret's scientific name is Mustela furo.