# 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. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Urban areas, grasslands - **Also known as:** Domestic Ferret, Fitch ![Mustela putorius furo](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ferret_2008.png&width=800) Photo: Alfredo Gutiérrez, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ferret_2008.png) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Mustelidae - **Genus:** Mustela ## 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 - **Super Squeezer:** Mustela putorius furo can fit through tiny gaps because of their incredibly flexible spine, helping them explore tight spaces. - **Scent Messaging:** Mustela putorius furo has potent scent glands that release a musky odor, helping them communicate or warn off threats. - **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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Humans keep ferrets as beloved companions. - **Hunts:** [European rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — Historically used by humans for rabbit hunting. - **Hunts:** [Brown rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) — Ferrets can be used for rodent control. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always wash your hands after playing with ferrets, and be gentle with them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Mustela putorius furo? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Mustela putorius furo: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mustela-putorius-furo)