Mustela putorius furo
ExploreMammals
Mustela putorius furo
Mustela putorius furo
The ferret is a playful little animal with a long body and short legs. They love to explore and can be very curious about their surroundings, making them fun pets for families.
Habitat: Urban areas, grasslands
Appearance
The Mustela putorius furo is a long, slender mammal with short legs and a bushy tail. Its fur color varies widely, from the common sable brown with a dark mask, to albino, black, or cinnamon variations. They have small, rounded ears and often a distinct facial mask.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyMustelidaeGenusMustela
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A group of ferrets is delightfully called a "business"!
Ferrets are often called "carpet sharks" because of their playful, curious nature!
Ferrets cannot see very far, but have excellent hearing and sense of smell!
Their name "furo" means "thief" in Latin, referring to their habit of hoarding items.
Special abilities
Ability
Super Squeezer
Mustela putorius furo can fit through tiny gaps because of their incredibly flexible spine, helping them explore tight spaces.
Ability
Scent Messaging
Mustela putorius furo has potent scent glands that release a musky odor, helping them communicate or warn off threats.
Ability
Deep Slumberer
Mustela putorius furo can enter a very deep sleep, sometimes appearing unresponsive, that helps them conserve energy.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 33-41 cm
- Weight
- 0.5-2 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-10 years
- Top Speed
- 24 km/h
- Litter Size
- 3-7
- Gestation
- 42 days
Diet & Feeding
Ferrets are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat meat to thrive and be healthy!
Primary Foods
- whole prey (mice)
- high-quality ferret kibble
- chickens
- rabbits
Foraging Method
- Pursuit
Ecological connections
symbiotic with
Human
Homo sapiens
Humans keep ferrets as beloved companions.
hunts
European rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Historically used by humans for rabbit hunting.
hunts
Brown rat
Rattus norvegicus
Ferrets can be used for rodent control.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Domesticated
Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
Domestic FerretFitch
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Always wash your hands after playing with ferrets, and be gentle with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Mustela putorius furo?
33-41 cm
How much does Mustela putorius furo weigh?
0.5-2 kg
How long does Mustela putorius furo live?
5-10 years
How fast can Mustela putorius furo move?
24 km/h
What does Mustela putorius furo eat?
Ferrets are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat meat to thrive and be healthy!
Where is Mustela putorius furo usually found?
Urban areas, grasslands
How does Mustela putorius furo hunt?
Pursuit
How many babies does Mustela putorius furo usually have?
3-7
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