Breed: Ferret
Average Size: 20 inches long including a 5 inch tail, weighing about 2-7 pounds
Appearance: There are three types of ferrets, the endangered American black-footed ferret, the European ferret and the Russian steppes. The recognized coat colors and patterns are Albino, Black, Black Sable, Champagne, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Dark-eyed White, Sable, Silver, and Blue. The color concentrations can be standards, roans, point (Siamese), or solids. With markings of blaze, panda, or mitt.
Lifespan: 7 to 12 years
Habitat: Ferrets need to be kept indoors but can play well outside. They need a habitat with a lot of room to move and toys to play and crawl through. But they do make good apartment pets since they can occupy themselves in a small space.
Food: Ferrets are carnivores. Their food should contain a minimum of 32% meat based protein and 18% fat and a maximum 3% fiber. A lactose-free milk is to be preferred. Some ferret owners in Europe and Australia feed a meat-based diet consisting of mice and rabbits along with raw meat like chicken, beef, veal, and kangaroo. This is becoming increasingly popular due to concern over high carbohydrate levels in processed ferret foods. Some kitten foods can also be used, so long as they provide the high protein and fat content required by the ferret's metabolism. They need fresh water at all times due to their tendency to overheat.
Temperament: Ferrets sold in the US begin their human contact at birth so they tend to be gentle and rarely bite. They are less prone to biting children than are dogs and cats. When they are awake they are very active and need interaction. So if you can not provide adequate time you may want to consider a partner for them. They make a good pet for everyone but small children.
Special Traits: They spend 14 to 18 hours a day sleeping and are naturally active at dusk and dawn. Though ferrets do sleep more than most domesticated pets, when they are awake they are very active and will seek to be released from their cage to get exercise and satisfy their abundant curiosity daily.
Other Important Info: Ferrets love toys. The best ferret toys are infant rattles and toys, ping-pong balls, paper bags, and key rings. Ferrets seem to enjoy the outside but be sure to keep them on a harness since they are not territorial and quickly wander off.
Ferrets are very prone to cancer. Tumors of the adrenal glands, pancreas (insulinoma) and lymphatic system (lymphomas) are all common in ferrets. They normally have a musky odor that some people find annoying. Females are less pungent than males but females still have a distinctive ferret odor.
Ferrets kept indoors need their toenails clipped occasionally and they are also susceptible to the ear mites.
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