Is the ferret a funny animal or a fearless predator? Colors and breeds of decorative ferrets.

Ferrets are small weasel-like predators. They are found in North America, in almost all European countries, in southeast Asia. In Russia, they can be found on the territory of the European part, in some steppe regions, in the Far East. There are three known species of these animals, one of them, the forest ferret, is domesticated. Descriptions of domestic ferrets (furo or ferrets) are found even by ancient authors, from which it follows that they were tamed thousands of years ago.

Now animals are also often raised as pets for themselves and children, brought up, come up with names for ferrets. Animals breed well in captivity, so breeding is not a problem.

What family does the ferret belong to? It belongs to the weasel, a genus of weasels and ferrets. Like all representatives of this family, it has an elongated and very flexible body. The legs are short, disproportionate to the body, so the animal looks squat. Ferrets have a very dodgy and compact body - they can crawl into any small crevice. Body length - from 30 to 50 cm, depending on the type. Weight - from 600 g to 2 kg.

The head of ferrets is oval, elongated, the muzzle is slightly blunt at the tip of the nose. There are 28-30 teeth in the mouth, canines are well developed. The head sits on a long and flexible neck. The tail of the ferret is long from 13 to 18 cm, and fluffy hair grows on it. The legs are strong and muscular. The animals jump beautifully, climb trees, swim well. The claws are well developed on the paws, thanks to which ferrets dig holes and cling to branches.

The fur of the animals is of medium length. It consists of an undercoat and guard hair. For most, the base of the hair is slightly lighter than the ends. After autumn molt the fur begins to shine very beautifully. The colors can be different, depending on the species. All ferrets, except for whites, have black markings on their faces that resemble a mask. In the tail area, ferrets have glands that secrete a secretion with a very strong and unpleasant odor. With its help, animals scare away enemies and attract their fellows. You can see in more detail what the ferrets look like in the photo.

Habitat and lifestyle

We told you what a ferret looks like, but where does this animal live? Animals inhabited by forest, steppe and forest-steppe zones... They avoid too open places, do not live in dense taiga. They often settle near human dwellings. A ferret in the wild is strongly attached to its habitat. He uses holes as a cover, which he rarely digs himself. It prefers to occupy the old ones left after badgers or foxes, sometimes it climbs into the hollows of old trees.

The ferret is a typical nocturnal animal. The animals go hunting after sunset. The victim is awaited in cover and attacked using the surprise effect. Ferrets feed on voles, rats, hamsters, moles. A rodent caught in the clutches of a predator has little chance of escape.

These animals are very skillful hunters. In winter and early spring, when food is scarce, ferrets can eat insects, bugs, lizards, sleepy fish near ice-covered water bodies. Sometimes quail or eggs from other birds are eaten.

Animals rarely hunt domestic animals. Wild animals prefer to stay away from people, come close to housing only when there is little food in the forest or in the steppe. Animals harm poultry houses, eat rabbits, so farmers often set traps for ferrets. Wild representatives of mustelids rarely touch adult birds: the animal is too small, even a sleeping rooster or chicken is beyond its strength. For the winter, the ferret can store food on its territory.

Breeding and mating of ferrets lasts from the end of February until the last summer month. The age of puberty is 10-12 months. The mating takes place violently, there is no special mating ritual. The male attacks the female and forcibly holds her by the withers with his teeth. Often, after the mating season, females show a frayed withers with bite marks. Obviously, they are happy to quickly get rid of annoying males, because they do not form persistent pairs.

Ferrets carry their offspring for 1.5 months. There can be from 4 to 18 cubs in a litter. Newborn animals weigh 5-10 g. Only a female ferret takes care of them. She feeds them for about 2-2.5 months breast milk... Begins to give meat from 4 weeks.

Raising offspring lasts six months. Growing up ferrets hunt with their mother, learning all the skills they need in the wild. In the wild, ferrets live up to 5 years.

Ferret species

How many species of ferrets are there? In nature, there are three varieties and several of their subspecies:

• Steppe ferret (light or white polecat).
• Common forest or black ferret.
• American or black-footed ferret.

A subspecies of the steppe ferret is the Amur, which lives in the north of China and in Russia, near the Amur River. The forest one is also known as the African ferret, fetka or furo. These are domesticated species, photos of which can often be found on the net.

Steppe ferret

The steppe ferret can be called the largest, its body length is 52-56 cm, and its weight is 2 kg. The tail of this ferret reaches a length of about 18 cm. The guard hair is thin, Brown color... A light undercoat is visible from under it, because the fur becomes beige, almost white. The tip of the tail and legs are dark; a black or brown mask is clearly visible on the muzzle.

The steppe ferret lives in Austria, Czech Republic, Romania, Ukraine, Poland, and is found in some regions of the European part of Russia. In the far east, northeast of China, the Amur species lives, sometimes called the Siberian ferret. In the photo, it almost does not differ from its relative, except that it is slightly larger, the difference between the main color and the color of the limbs is more pronounced.

The steppe ferret eats gophers, hamsters, mice and other rodents. Much less often feeds on birds and eggs, insects, lizards, fish. During the hungry period, it gets close to human habitation, can eat waste, attack small domestic animals (rabbits, ducklings, chickens). Sometimes it eats poultry eggs. These ferrets are very fertile, there can be 7-18 babies in one litter. Each calf weighs about 5-7 g.

Forest ferret

The forest or black ferret is smaller than its steppe cousin. The body length reaches 36-48 cm, weight - from 400 g to 1.5 kg. The length of the tail is 15-17 cm, in females it is 8.5-17 cm. Females are 1.5 times smaller than males. The color of the fur is black-brown, almost black on the dewlap, tail, legs and throat. The contrast between the colors of the paws and the tip of the tail is not pronounced. A dark mask adorns the face. In the population there is a completely white and red ferret.

The black forest ferret lives in Europe and throughout the European part of Russia. Ferrets settle burrows on the edges of the forest, in clearings, in not too dense groves. Here are their favorite hunting grounds. It is not for nothing that this ferret received the name "edging predator". Ferrets feed on mice, voles, sometimes they eat snakes, lizards, fish, frogs. They ravage hare holes by eating cubs. They ravage bird nests with chicks and eggs. They can get close to the house, appear at the dacha and hunt for pets. To catch the animal, they set a trap, the bait in it is a piece of meat.

This species was successfully tamed, the domesticated form of the forest ferret is called the ferret. The size of her body is about 50 cm, weight is from 700 g to 2 kg, the length of the tail is about 13 cm. The colors are very different. Albino ferrets are called furos.

Sometimes breeders mate ferrets with wild ferrets. A hybrid of this species with a mink is called honorik. He is larger than a normal ferret, characteristics and descriptions of his appearance have the traits of both parents.

American ferret

Animal american ferret- an endangered animal. Several decades ago, in Mexico and the United States, he lived only in captivity. Now it is being successfully adapted and resettled in natural habitats: in the wild, there are already about 600 individuals. Hunting this ferret is strictly prohibited. It is the smallest among all species, the size of its body is 31-41 cm, weight - 650-1000 g, length fluffy ponytail- 11-15 cm.

Ferrets have hair that is light at the base and dark at the tips, giving it a brown tint. The tip of the tail and tarsi are black, in contrast to the rest of the coloration. The natural habitat of the species is the prairie east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States, some areas of Mexico. The main source of food is prairie dogs; the ferret population directly depends on their number. Additional food - voles, gophers, mice.

Types of coloring of domestic ferrets

Domestic ferrets, or fetas, have a wide variety of colors. Thanks to many years of selection, very beautiful views the fur of these animals. The international system classifies the colors of fetishes according to the following principle:

• Color type (white albinos, black, various shades of brown).
• Drawing (Siamese, roan, solid, standard).
• White spots (a flash with a speck on the head, panda, mittens).

According to the types of colors, fetas are combined into groups. Albino animals with absolutely white fur, pink nose and red eyes are considered separately.

Pastel group

These ferrets are characterized by a light coat tone, ranging from beige to brown. The pigment is unevenly distributed throughout the hair, which creates a beautifully toned effect. Brown ferrets, whose fur has pronounced orange and yellow shades, stand apart in this group. Here are the types of pastel ferrets:

• light;
• standard;
• dark;
• cinnamon.

Mother-of-pearl group

The hair of animals from this group is colored unevenly. The base is light, almost white. The tips are always dark, their color varies from gray to black. There are such colors in the group:

• standard pearlescent;
• dark pearlescent.

Sable group

The sable group of ferrets is the most numerous. This color is as close to wild as possible. Shades range from light yellow to almost black. Allocated in the group:

• standard sable;
• dark sable;
• black sable.

Golden ferrets

The golden ferret is a real Russian ferret, as it was bred in Russia. The fur of these animals is very beautiful. The undercoat ranges from yellow to bright orange. The outer hair is light at the base and dark at the tips, which makes the fur beautifully shimmery with different shades of gold. There is only one type in the group: gold.

Black band

The black color is provided by a very dark and thick guard hair. The undercoat may be lighter in color, but it is poorly translucent. The eyes and nose of such ferrets are black. The ferret's face does not have a specific mask. There are the following dark color options:

• black;
• black selfie;
• black solid (solid).

Pestel selfies

This group of ferrets has a fairly light coat, but, unlike ordinary pastel ferrets, their hair is completely colored, so the fur is closer to solid color, does not shimmer. There are the following types of colors:

• Chocolate selfie resembles milk chocolate in color, the nose of the animals is brown.
• Chocolate solid is a lighter shade with a brown undercoat.
• Champagne Self - the guard hair is from beige to chocolate, the undercoat is light, the nose is pink.
• Self-cinnamon - the shade of the guard hair is brown with red tints, the undercoat is light, the nose is white.
• Dew are white ferrets with dark eyes.

Types of marks

Decorative ferrets can have colors with different markings. Depending on the tone, location, size, there are:

• Marked - the covering hair on the whole body is colored by 40%, the remaining 60% is white.
• Silver - ferrets of the mother-of-pearl group with unevenly colored hair.
• Roan - awn is colored unevenly, the percentage of the pigmented part is greater than in the two previous ones.
• Panda - the head and neck are noticeably lighter than the rest of the body.
• Blaze - a solid stands out on the head white stripe.
• Mitt - the tips of the legs and tail are white.
• Point - the contrast between the colors of the fur on the body, legs and tips of the tail is pronounced.
• Badger - a white stripe on the head with irregular contours or intermittent.
• Milk mouse - there is a clear white speck around the muzzle and the eye.
• Pinto panda - the pattern is the same as that of a regular "panda", but the main fur is lighter.
• Harlequin are ferrets that are asymmetric or difficult to classify.

The colors of animals may change slightly: after the molt has passed, they become lighter. Ferret cubs are also born with lighter fur, the pattern may not be sufficiently pronounced. Each color has its own pros and cons, you need to choose it according to your own taste.

Keeping a ferret has its own characteristics. This animal is a predator, besides it is nocturnal. Ferrets sleep during the day, but in the evening they are very active. These habits are characteristic of animals in the wild, but at home they have largely retained their wild disposition. For small ferrets, it is best to buy an aviary or a spacious cage. It should contain bedding, crawl pipe, ring, feeders and drinker. They also need to be allowed to walk around the apartment, since they cannot stay in an enclosed space for a long time. From time to time, the ferret needs to be taken out on the street with a leash and collar. Carrying may be required for long walks.

What can a ferret eat? This animal is an obligate predator, it eats only the meat of animals commensurate with it, so you can feed ferrets chicken meat, turkey, rabbit, quails. Do not give beef, pork, lamb. Eggs are given a couple of times a week, low-fat cottage cheese every other day. The ferret has a habit of hiding food; he can drag it under a bed, curbstone or other secluded place.

Raising a ferret is not difficult: she is a very intelligent animal, almost like a puppy. It is easy to train the animal to the toilet, training allows you to learn simple commands, even come up with nicknames for ferrets, as they respond to their name. True, these animals have one bad habit: they love to dig in the ground. It is difficult to wean an animal from it, therefore it is better to put flowers in an inaccessible place so as not to constantly collect the earth from the floor with your hands. Some owners are worried about night walks around the apartment, but you can get used to them.

Life expectancy and illness

Anyone who wants to have a ferret at home is scared that it smells bad, even stinks. To get rid of the smell, you need to bathe the ferret once a week. They also ask whether it is worth having a girl or a boy at home. The ferret female is very active, she will not give rest to anyone. The boy is calmer, but he definitely needs to be castrated.

Tame ferrets live at home for 8-10 years, some do not die at the age of 12. This species is characterized by the following diseases:

• plague;
• rabies;
• viral or Aleutian plasmacytosis;
• flu;
• flea attack;
• rickets;
• allergy to shampoo, food, etc .;
• pathology of the adrenal glands;
• catarrhal and bacterial enteritis;
• stones in the kidneys;
• insuloma;
• lymphoma;
• inflammation of the glands near the anus.

If the ferret eats badly, sneezes, coughs, itches, has a fever or is sick and vomits, it is imperative to show the animal to the veterinarian. The specialist will be able to determine the cause of the problem, prescribe appropriate medications to treat the animal.

The most dangerous disease in ferrets is rabies. If an infected ferret bites the owner, it threatens him with mortal danger. The sick animal will have to be euthanized. Therefore, all domestic animals need to be vaccinated.

You can find out how to properly maintain a ferret by looking at photos and videos of booms.

The ferret is a predator of the weasel family. In size it is not much smaller than a cat, it has long body, bushy tail, short legs, long muzzle with beautiful, wide, round ears. The weight of males can reach a little more than 2 kg, and of females about 1 kg, the average length is more than half a meter. Due to its structure, the ferret is very resourceful. He is able to squeeze into any narrow slots or holes. This served to spread stories that they are cruel hen house thieves. However, these predators are also bred in captivity, and not only for the sake of their beautiful fur, but also as pets. In the Middle Ages, in Europe, ferrets were bred instead of cats to catch mice. Now these cute animals play the role of playful, quickly affectionate tame pets (photo 1).

There are three types of ferrets. And besides them, there are many human-bred hybrids, for example honorik (photo 2), this is a ferret crossed with a mink.

All ferret species are widely distributed in Eurasia, in the northwestern part of Africa and in the territory North America.

1. Steppe ferret
2. Forest ferret
3. Black-footed ferret
4. Furo or domestic ferret

Steppe ferret (light)

All ferret species are similar. The steppe (photo 3) has a lot in common with the forest ferret, their only difference is that the steppe is slightly larger and lighter than its forest counterpart. In length, this species reaches 60 cm, and weighs up to 2 kg, this is in males, and females with the same length can weigh 1 kg. The general color of this species is light yellow, the chest, groin and legs are black, the whole muzzle is crossed by the “mask” characteristic of the ferret. The habitat of this animal is steppe zones throughout Eurasia, from the Northern Balkans to Southern Tibet. Due to vigorous human activity, deforestation, and plowing of the steppes for sowing, the species of this ferret can now be found in Central Europe. Steppe ferrets are not tied to one habitat; they can stay in one territory for up to 2-3 weeks until they overfill all the game on their hunting grounds. And they live in the holes of their own victims. This animal is not afraid of water, knows how to swim, climb trees, although it can not often show these qualities, due to its habitat. The light ferret is a real meat-eater, he does not use plant foods, since he is very poorly absorbed by it. Its diet is based on small rodents, but it can also hunt muskrats, which are much larger than itself, as well as gophers and small hares. If poultry is bred near his hunting grounds, then he will not be afraid to sneak into the chicken coop and enjoy delicious meat.

The breeding season, or rut, occurs in early spring. Pregnancy of a female ferret lasts about 6 weeks, up to 10 puppies are born, in rare cases up to 15 puppies. Youngsters can go hunting from the age of two months, and an independent life in about six months. The steppe ferret is of immense benefit by helping to eradicate rodents in field-growing areas.

Forest ferret

The polecat, or dark polecat (photo 4), is common throughout Eurasia. The largest population lives in England and in the European part of Russia. This species is valued for its beautiful, thick fur, but due to the general low population size, industrial mining skins do not exist. The appearance of a forest dweller is practically no different from their fellows of the weasel family. This species has a flexible and long body on short legs with long claws. The weight of the ferret ranges from 1 to 1,600 kg, and the length reaches 47 cm. Females are half the size of males. The color of an adult is black-brown. The dark ferret lives in small forest thickets. More likely to meet him at the edges, as he loves to hunt in open areas. They prefer to choose a place to live near small rivers, or reservoirs. Unlike the steppe ferret, they lead a sedentary life. They choose natural shelters for their house, they can capture someone's burrow, or the refuge of their victim. Like other ferrets, they feed on small rodents, insects, small birds, they like to destroy nests. Due to the ability to swim well, fish can be included in the diet in small quantities. The animal shows hunting qualities only at night, it can hunt during the day due to very strong hunger, but even if daytime he does not find food, then he will not disdain carrion. The ferret has a lot of enemies that harm him. These are birds such as night owl, eagle owl, and more large predators, foxes, wolves, wild cats... A wild forest ferret, the animal is quite fast and agile, so you just can't catch it. Moreover, the animal knows how to defend itself well, sensing danger, it injects a foul-smelling liquid into the attacker, which consists of the secretion of the anal glands. So think before you offend this little bully. In nature, the polecat lives for about 5 years. The life expectancy of animals is influenced by the amount of food in its habitat.

Black-footed or American ferret

The animal is about 40 cm long, the tail is up to 20 cm, and weighs up to 1,200 kg. Like other ferret species (photo 5), they have a long body and small legs. The general color of the animal is yellow-brown, and it got its name because of the black legs and black tip of the tail. Also, the American ferret wears a black "mask" on its sly muzzle, like the rest of the species. Small predator is widespread in North America. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was possible to meet it on the territory of Canada, where it was later completely destroyed because of its beautiful fur. Now it is listed in the Red Book. Wednesday habitat - American prairie. But, it can climb quite high in the mountains. He is awake at night, if he is not worried about hunger during the day, he can sleep all day in his shelter. It feeds on prairie dogs, in their burrows and lives most of its time. American ferrets are inveterate "bachelors", lead a solitary lifestyle. They gather in flocks only during the rut, which falls on the beginning of spring. The female carries babies up to 40 days old, and in the litter of this species there are only about five puppies. Like their Eurasian counterparts, adolescents are ready for an independent life in six months.

Ferret furo

In the fur farming of the country, furo ferrets are bred (photo 6). He treats a person calmly, not hostile, which cannot be said about his wild relatives. Lactating females willingly eat food from the hands of a person, they are allowed to take their cubs in their hands. Furo-prolific and caring mothers, the average size the litter can reach up to 16 babies. Puppies are born densely pubescent, and up to 24 days they are deaf, and up to 30-37 days they are blind. Furyats grow up calm, friendly, they do not avoid people and do not hide.

In addition to furo, which has a light color, a cross-breed ferret (photo 7), characterized by a dark color, is bred in fur farms. Crossbred choris are outwardly similar to forest choris, only the head and back are much lighter. Domestic ferrets are much larger than their free counterparts, with uniform fluffy, very beautiful fur. Average length of females 35-37 cm, males 42-45 cm. Body weight 2.5 kg.

In addition to the two types of base color, there is another mutant form of pastel ferrets (Photo 8). The general color of pastel individuals is cream with an ash tint. The axis is light brown, the tops of the down hair are light cream or gray.

In the article I will consider the exterior, character, habits and lifestyle of the forest ferret, and show how it looks. It is also called the black polecat. I'll tell you about the population, habitat, breeding and feeding characteristics of these animals. I will list the natural enemies of the ferret. Let me explain why ferrets are listed in the Red Book and how they are protected.

Ferrets have a flexible, elongated and not very large body. Due to the short and thick paws with five fingers and sharp claws, they are characterized by external disproportion.

On average, the body length is 40 cm in females and approximately 50 cm in males. The weight of ferrets also varies by gender: in males - 1000-1700 grams, in females - 650-950 grams.

Black polecats are characterized by an elongated neck, a neat oval head with an elongated muzzle, slightly flattened closer to the nose. On their "face" there is a distinctive pattern similar to black mask and a white nose. On the head, small wide ears also found a place at the base. The eyes are also small, resembling brown beads.

The total number of teeth in a ferret is 28-30 pieces, of which:

• 4 canines (a pair for each jaw),
• 12-14 incisors,
• 12 premolars.

These animals have long (up to 6 cm) shiny brown-black fur, which takes on a darker and more saturated color in the area of ​​the paws, tail, back and muzzle. The most magnificent part of the ferret is its large and bushy tail. Its length in an adult can be from 8 to 18 cm.

Near the tail of the animal there are special glands, which, in case of danger, secrete a fetid pungent secret.

In the wild, their lifespan is relatively short - about 3-4 years.

Interestingly, at home, the lifespan of the polecat almost doubles and is 5-7 years.

Ferret population

The polecat is a carnivorous representative of mammals that belong to the family "marten", the genus "ferrets and weasels". The population of the black ferret has been decreasing every year. In this regard, the beast was listed in the Red Book.

The habitat of the animal

The habitat of these animals spread to the entire territory of Eurasia and northwestern Africa. They can be found in Russia, Ukraine, China, England and other countries.

Some time ago, black ferrets were brought to New Zealand in order to reduce the population of rats and mice. As a result, ferrets took root there and successfully spread.

From the name it is clear that the forested area is the preferred place to live for trochee. You can meet them:

• in the groves;
• near the forest;
• at the forest edge;

Hori also prefer to be located near water bodies: lakes, rivers and swamps.

Animals are very attached to the place chosen for habitation, as they lead a sedentary lifestyle. The dense taiga and open terrain are unacceptable to them. In extreme cases, they can settle near people.

Lifestyle and nutrition

Ferrets are home to burrows.

In most cases, they occupy the mink of a hare, badger or fox, less often they dig independently.

The polecat begins its hunt closer to the night. In the daytime, either danger or severe hunger can force him to leave the hole.

These animals plant food poorly absorbed, which is associated with low levels of amylase in the body. Rodents (mice, voles, moles, hamsters and nutria) are their daily food. They also like to feast on wild birds, gophers, toads, snakes, fish, lizards and hares.

The key method of hunting for ferrets is to watch the prey at night near the entrance to the shelter. Sometimes they also have to run and catch their dinner. Often, hunger forces animals to eat food waste and carrion.

Ferrets often harm farmers. At night, they strangle chickens and feed on their eggs. However, there they also bring benefit - they destroy rodents, toads, snakes and large insects(locusts).

Character and habits

Each ferret representative defines their territory.

In males, the territory is spread over about 2.5 hectares, and in females it is two times less and often adjoins the territory of her male. To mark their possessions around the perimeter, they put fetid marks.

The distinctive hunting traits of the wild forest ferret are fearlessness and aggression.

During a duel with an enemy (even if he surpasses the ferret in size and strength), he boldly rebuffs. He does the same with his victims. For example, if a ferret attacks a nest, then, having completely fed up with one bird, will crush all the rest.

The polecat is solitary. He communicates with relatives and other representatives of his species only in the spring, during the mating period.

Reproduction and care of offspring

Thoughts about the continuation of the genus in these animals arise from the beginning of April to the end of May.

In a female black polecat, pregnancy lasts 1.5 months. As a result, 4-6 cubs are born. After a month, they begin to see, and all this time they feed on mother's milk. Complementary feeding with solid food in babies begins at 2.5 weeks, meat - at 4 weeks, and at 7-8 weeks they can already hunt on their own.

Children are under the care of the mother until late autumn, and sometimes until spring. She, sparing no effort, protects them from dangers and takes care of them.

Forest Hori are very fond of water and know how to swim. And often there the choris meet a representative of their family - a mink. To which they periodically woo. Descendants from such "marriages" are called "honoriki".

Natural enemies

In the wild, troreas' main enemies are larger predators:

• Foxes,
• Wolves,
• Lynx,
• Owls,
• Golden eagles,
• Owls,
• Eagles,
• Large snakes.

Red List and Security

Due to the race for valuable fur and urbanization, the main enemy of these animals is humans. The population size decreased significantly after the fur products from this animal came into fashion. However, the situation is gradually changing. The black ferret was listed in the Red Book.

Ferret hunting is prohibited by law.

The black ferret is a valuable decoration of our nature and fauna. And in order for this wonderful animal to always remain on Earth, we need to reconsider our views on the love of fur products.

All living organisms on the planet are individual in outward appearance, a way of survival, behavior, which suggests that in order to survive they should adapt to the conditions of their habitat. That is, the habitat is that part of nature that they inhabit, experiencing its influence on themselves, and in turn, they themselves influence it. There is no such habitat on the planet, to which animals would not adapt. Everything in the world is interconnected, and to be in certain environmental conditions. These conditions that affect wildlife in the wild are called environmental factors. These include factors of living (the relationship between living things in the wild, as well as human influence) and inanimate nature(the effect on living organisms of temperature, light regime, precipitation, soil structure and the structure of the earth's surface). As a result of the influence of the environment on the life of animals, they, in turn, have developed adaptability to certain conditions and a way of life. The habitat most importantly affects the activity, nutrition, reproduction of all living things.

general characteristics

The ferret is a carnivorous mammal of the marten family, most likely known to us as an object of fur farming. But many people, especially villagers, know the ferret as an annoying and uninvited guest in their household, especially in the chicken coop. In addition to the thief endowed with the glory, the ferret became famous thanks to its thinning "aroma". But besides all this, ferrets are quite cute and cute animals, with a wonderful fluffy coat.

There are several species of ferret in the wild. The black ferret has a body length of 24-46 cm, the female is 38 cm on average, the tail is 14 cm long, and the animals weigh from 620 grams of the female and almost a kilogram of the males. The animals are characterized by the color of the muzzle resembling a mask and a slightly raised back, forming a so-called "hump". The dark brown hair on the back and lower body is almost all black. In addition to the forest ferret, the steppe ferret is also known, the largest among its relatives. By external structure and these animals are very similar in behavior, only their place, habitat differ, but the external difference between the two species of ferrets consists of different colors hairline: Winter ferret fur is black-brown with long hair, the fur of the steppe inhabitant is light yellow with liquid guard hair, the tips of which are brown. Summer fur in both species is less common, lower and dimmer.

Habitat

The polecat, or as it is also called the common or black polecat, is an inhabitant of the entire Eurasian continent. This is a popular inhabitant of Western Europe, where he inhabits its entire area, however, in Lately it began to gradually narrow. It is dominated by deciduous deciduous forests in the plains and broad-leaved coniferous forests in the lowlands and conifers in the mountains. A large population of ferrets lives in England, as well as almost throughout the European part of Russia, from the Urals to the western state border... The landscape is characterized by the presence mixed type forests with a predominance of deciduous species (oak, aspen, linden, birch). It is absent only in North Karelia, the Volga region and the Caucasus. The number of ferrets in the Russian territory is subject to significant differences, and depends, first of all, on the availability of food in a certain area. The polecat is most common in the Smolensk region of Russia, as well as in Belarus. In the last decade, the ferret has expanded its range and now populates the forests of Finland, the richest country in forest resources, which make up 76% of its entire territory, and Karelia. It is also a common inhabitant of the northern and western forests of Africa. In the western part, ferrets inhabit subtropical forests on the slopes of the Atlas Mountains, valleys and plateaus, rigid-leaved evergreen forests with a predominance of oak species on the lower slopes. In the northern part, ferrets occupy the equatorial type of evergreen forests. In order to fight against rats and mice, this predator was brought to the territory of New Zealand. At present, the ferret has rather well settled in the ever-green beech forest estates characteristic of Zealand, and even began to threaten the country's indigenous fauna.

Common ferret typical representative forests. However, it avoids dense continuous taiga massifs, and prefers small-sized forest concentrations or separated groves, mixed with crops and settlements, with meadows or fields, rivers or other bodies of water.

The ferret does not like to roam and is sedentary. The size of the hunting grounds is small. At night, the polecat goes up to 5 km. Only in winter time they may increase slightly. It prefers to settle in the lowlands of small rivers, lakes, marshlands, ravines, hollows. As a permanent refuge, it uses a natural disguise, hiding in a heap of brushwood, in wood, stumps or haystacks. Sometimes a ferret can occupy someone else's home of badgers or foxes, but the animal does not dig its holes. If it does dig, then they are not long, do not have one-way tunnels, and end in a nesting place. It is not uncommon for a ferret to find refuge in villages or hamlets, where it makes a nest for itself in sheds, heaps of firewood, or chooses some other secluded place for itself.

The steppe ferret is the complete opposite of its brother. Forests and settlements are not to his liking. Inhabits forest-steppe, steppe and semi-desert. The zone of steppes and forest-steppes lies between the zone of forests and semi-deserts. That is, the forest-steppe is an intermediate zone that combines small areas of forest and sections of the steppes. The forest-steppe is characterized by an alternation of deciduous and small-leaved forests, as well as forb steppes. The steppe is an overgrown plain with a variety of grasses, which is characterized by the complete absence of trees. The steppe ferret is a resident of such open areas. In terms of the vastness of its range, the light polecat has no contenders among the steppe mammals. Its settlement area is larger than the range of any steppe animal. It is found throughout the steppe zone of Eurasia (the only exception is the easternmost limb), and is widespread beyond its borders. Inhabits the steppe zone that extends in western Yugoslavia and the Czech Republic.

In Russia, the range of steppe ferrets is much more prevalent than that of the forest fellow. Here he successfully acclimatized over the entire area of ​​forest-steppe and steppe expanses. Of the Far East(from the Amur), Siberia, the European part to the Carpathians. The steppe polecat reached the largest population in the forest-steppe and steppe zones of Siberia and the Ciscaucasia. This predator of open spaces has penetrated quite deep into the taiga zone. The introduction of the light ferret into western zone Siberia goes on a wide front: it settles in all weakly snow-covered areas of the terrain, where the common hamster is present among the rodents. The light ferret has developed a special close relationship with him. Intensive plowing of land and the advance of crops to the north into the taiga zone influenced the settlement of the hamster, which was relentlessly followed by its most inveterate enemy, the steppe polecat.

The ferret is also common on the territory of the steppes, stretching from Central and Central Asia, right up to the Far East and Eastern China.

Such regions have peculiar climatic, hydrological and orographic conditions. The climate of the steppes is characterized by very hot summers, when the earth is heated to the limit by the sun received, and cold winter, when earth surface fetters severe frost... In such areas, there is a large moisture deficit in summer time... The steppes are characterized by rather sharp temperature fluctuations. Therefore, it is very difficult for animals, whose life is especially dependent on such changes in unpredictable weather. In April, a sudden thaw may begin, and in the middle of summer the temperature may drop sharply. However, the steppe ferrets were well acclimatized to such conditions. Over the past half century, the range of the steppe ferret has expanded significantly to the west and slightly to the north. Now the steppe ferret can be found in the west of the Ural Mountains, on the left bank of the Volga, in the center of Russia and Europe. Such an expansion of the habitat of animals is associated with human actions. As a result of deforestation and plowing steppe zones which caused a pumping north a large number ground squirrels, which are the main prey of the steppe animal, were also caused by the movement of ferrets. In this case, the influence of the factor of living nature is clearly traced, that is, the influence of human activity on the habitat of the steppe ferret. In the mountains of Europe, these animals rise to a height of 800 meters, and in Central Asia, this height reaches over 2600 meters. The steppe polecat settles on fallow lands, on pastures, in ravines and ravines. As a refuge, ferrets use other people's burrows, mainly gophers, less often badgers or foxes. Indeed, one cannot live long without a good shelter in such harsh conditions. They save the ferret not only from the heat, but also from predators, from which it is not so easy to hide in a well-visible area. However, the ability to independently dig holes in the steppe ferret is rather well expressed. Its front legs are armed with strong, slightly curved claws (length 13-16 mm, width 1-2 mm). On the hind legs, the claws are less developed. The connective membranes between the toes are better developed than in other sessiforms, and, apparently, have an adaptive value in raking out and throwing out dug mail. Inhabiting a burrow belonging to a hamster, this predator usually digs additional shoots in such a hard layer of clay that it is difficult to use an iron shovel. Unlike the forest dweller, the steppe polecat is not tied to one habitat, it does not have pronounced individual areas. In places of the greatest concentration of ground squirrels, they are much smaller, especially in the summer period, when it is easier to get food. Winter holdings of the steppe ferret range from 12-18 hectares.

Ferrets' lifestyle and nutrition

There are no particular differences in the type of food ferrets have. Both are predators. Plant food is not included in their menu. The variety of food also depends on their habitat. Small mice are the predominant prey in the diet of the forest animal. Play a big role in the menu grass frogs and toads, snakes, insects. They hunt birds near water bodies: black grouse, partridges. They can also attack domestic birds near settlements. Ground squirrels and hamsters are considered the favorite prey of the steppe ferret. In areas with a high concentration of rodents, the number of steppe ferrets is greater than in other areas. Mouse-like rodents enter the diet of the steppe species only as a substitute food when there is a "shortage" of ground squirrels, hamsters and other food. With a shortage of the main prey, they can eat fish, carrion. It can also hunt for a larger prey, for example, nutria. The forest representative, having also rather large sizes in the menu, however, prefers mainly mice. And only occasionally, climbing into hare holes, strangles little hares.

Both ferret species hunt at night or at dusk. Ferrets' activity at night is also associated with the influence of environmental factors. Firstly, it gives predators an advantage over prey, in the dark it is easier for the unnoticed to get close to the prey. Secondly, in connection with the competition for food resources, all animals have developed a certain behavior, some hunt during the day, and some at night. And thirdly, most small rodents, which are the main food of ferrets, are also nocturnal. Plus, the nighttime activity of animals in deserts, steppes and semi-deserts is an adaptive behavior to the habitat in which they exist. Inhabiting the steppes, which are characterized, as already mentioned, by a very hot and very arid climate, the steppe ferret, to save moisture in the daytime, sits in a shelter, and only with the onset of dusk goes hunting.

If earlier only cats or dogs lived in city apartments, and some had aquariums with fish, today the variety is simply surprising. Owls, squirrels, chinchillas, hedgehogs, ornamental pigs, snakes and crocodiles - whoever people do not turn on. However, today we noticed that the poultry markets began to sell domestic ferrets. Surprisingly cute creatures at first glance sink into the soul, and people decide to buy them for themselves, or even as a gift to friends. I would like to warn you against a rash purchase, which is why we decided to devote our article to these amazing creatures. So, on the agenda is the question: "What are ferrets as pets?" We will try to fully disclose the pros and cons of such a neighborhood.

Description

Ferret - this is the name of one of the subspecies of forest ferrets, which today are tamed by humans and often become almost the most beloved and desired pets. It is a nimble mammal with an oblong body and bushy tail. are very different - from white to black, with all intermediate variations. At the same time, females are slightly smaller than males, and their fur coat does not look so luxurious. Their habits also differ, which we will burn about a little later.

When choosing a future pet, think about whether it will dissolve against the background of your interior. A light ferret against a white background will be more difficult to find, because these weasels can crawl into any crevice. That is why it is preferable to choose dark or striped pets, since the colors of ferrets, or rather, their diversity, allow you to do this to the fullest.

Life span

An important question every host should ask. Knowing how long domestic ferrets live, you will be more appropriately attuned to the acquisition of a pet and long life with him. With proper care, a fluffy handsome man will stay with you for about 7-9 years - a good time for a small animal. And for the owner, this is an occasion to once again think about whether it is worth taking responsibility, because it comes not about a hamster that will only live a couple of years, and even then spend most of the time in a cage.

Attention is guaranteed to you

Indeed, no matter what breed of dogs you choose, there are already hundreds of them around, no one will pay attention to your furry miracle. And it is quite another matter to take the ferret out for a walk. Small, nimble and graceful, he will quickly become the favorite of the entire yard. However, admiring a neighbor's beast is one thing, and living with it under the same roof is quite another. Therefore, you should not immediately run to the pet store, it is better to first read the necessary information, and then consult with your family members. Other than that, it's up to you to decide if ferrets are right for you as pets. Today we will try to consider the pros and cons from all sides.

We weigh our possibilities

Since we are talking about taking responsibility for the life and health of a living being, you need to think carefully. In fact, these are very cute, charming and inquisitive creatures, real angels, especially in photographs on the Internet. But did you know what ferrets really are as pets? The pros and cons should be very carefully studied and weighed so that you do not have to advertise later, they say, I will give the cute animal into good hands.

There is a reason to think

• Are you ready to shell out for high quality food and vitamins, accessories and a vet appointment? Do not think that a tiny animal will be able to feed on the leftovers from your table. This is a carnivore that, without proper nutrition, will fall ill and die.
• Do you have enough free time? If you belong to the category of constantly busy people who have no time to call friends or watch TV again, then it is better to choose a turtle or fish. In this case, you will be able to approach your pets only to feed, and also when you have a free minute. A restless and sociable ferret will require at least 3 hours of attention and care a day from you.
• Patience and patience again. This should be said to anyone interested in ferrets as pets. The pros and cons in this case are balanced, but not every owner is able to love his pet enough to forgive his endless thirst for activity and mischief.
• This moment follows from the previous ones. Any pet can spoil something in your home. Dogs chew on shoes, cats sharpen their claws on sofas, and a ferret does everything at once. Therefore, once again take a look at the apartment, remember the last renovation. Are you ready to accept the possible damage that a ferret can do to carpets, furniture, home flowers? If not, the recommendations are the same: get some fish.
• If you have children, and they are begging to buy a fluffy pet, soberly weigh your strengths. Financial support, as well as the need to control the games of children and the ferret will fall on your shoulders.

These creatures are cute and friendly, they are always ready to play pranks and play. Rarely does the sight of a ferret not cause a smile, and playing with it will cheer up anyone. However, keeping it in a city apartment costs a lot of money.

Choosing a breeder

If you are willing to take the risk, then you need to choose a good breeder. Often these animals are sold in the poultry markets, but here no one guarantees that you will take a really young, vaccinated and adapted to life with humans creature. Most often, for mass sale, they are grown in nurseries, in a semi-wild state. Do not be fooled by their calm appearance: action sedatives, with which they were drunk, will soon stop.

It is much better if you get your hands on a young ferret born in loving family, accustomed from childhood to rest in a cage and play in the evenings with the owners, vaccinated by age and examined by a veterinarian. Of course, such individuals are more expensive, but it will definitely be a domestic ferret, which is easily adaptable and gets used to you.

Male or female

We won't be original here. If a person has not yet dealt with the maintenance of animals of any breed, he will be offered to take a female. Female ferrets are more obedient and gentle, they are easier to train and are much more intelligent than males. Numerous reviews emphasize that girls quickly get used to their litter box and new territory, spending almost everything free time to study it. A home ferret can be a real friend, smart and funny, if you approach the issues of his choice and upbringing correctly. However, one cannot fail to say that girls are big fidgets. They are constantly on the move, they need to stick a curious nose into every crack, try everything on the tooth. Therefore, a female ferret is only suitable for a person who has enough time and energy to practice with her.

Males are more imposing and sedate, in a magnificent fluffy coat. They are more attached to their master, less playful and more calm. For such a pet, the person of the owner is more important than the territory, so he will spend more time walking around you. However, don't expect too much from him. If females play with children and willingly walk into their arms, then males can do this only occasionally, according to their mood.

Ferret breeding

The ferret in the apartment can regularly produce offspring, so if you want to see what the babies are, you can start breeding. Pregnancy lasts about 40 days, during which time the animals sleep and eat a lot. You will need to correct the menu, introduce additional minerals, vitamins and trace elements into it. The mating process takes place only on the territory of the male, and it is very noisy and emotional. If you want to avoid this, then there is nothing easier, especially if the pet lives alone. But during the rutting period, the males mark the territory, become uncontrollable and vindictive. In this case, the best solution would be to castrate the ferret.

The material side of the issue

At the first moment, a person evaluates only the value of the animal itself. However, your expenses don't end there. However, even this first investment will require from you from 2 to 20 thousand rubles. In addition, you need to equip a comfortable cage for him, without which keeping the ferret becomes simply impossible. A puppy and a teenager can turn the whole house upside down, cripple and ruin everything that it can reach. Therefore, when leaving the house, it is imperative to close it. A cage costs from 3,500 to 12,000 rubles. In addition, you will need to buy a drinking bowl and a bowl (250 rubles), a carrier for going to the vet (300 rubles), a tray (50 rubles). So that your pet can rest, he needs a house, a couch and a hammock, which means that you can safely add 1,500 rubles to your expenses. A harness and a leash, as well as a nail clipper - this is another 200 rubles for each item.

Keeping a ferret will require the purchase of quality food. The cost of the diet is about 800 rubles a month, plus vitamin supplements, which will amount to another 300 rubles. A veterinarian's examination costs about 500 rubles, preventive vaccinations - 600-700 rubles. In case of illness, the check can be up to 30,000 rubles, depending on the required treatment. As you can see, a ferret in an apartment is not a cheap pleasure.

Nutrition

Each host has two options: to buy ready-made feed or practice natural food. The cost is approximately the same, but the second option is time consuming. In any case, the owner must remember that this is an exceptionally carnivorous animal. Fruits and vegetables, food from our table will do more harm than good. Sometimes you can treat your pet with a mouse or egg yolk, it will only benefit him, and he will be very pleased. Not all owners like a predatory disposition, but what to do, this is this fluffy in essence. In principle, how long domestic ferrets live depends on a high-quality diet. He can be taught to eat crackers and drink milk, even a hungry animal will gnaw carrots, but illness and early death are guaranteed to him.

Instead of a conclusion

Let's summarize. When you start a ferret, you can count on the following benefits. This is an animal that does not let you get bored. This is an active and cheerful creature with high intelligence, which can be taught whatever you want. The undoubted advantage is the compactness of the animal. It can even be placed in a regular bag if you need to go to the vet. These animals do not need to walk like dogs and use litter boxes well. And if you wish, you can always take a promenade, the main thing is to buy a good harness. He easily accepts the rhythm of life of the owners and will not make noise at night, although this is his native schedule in nature. Finally, ferrets are hypoallergenic, which is important for many people today.

But there are also disadvantages in apartment maintenance. Ferrets tend to mark their territory, as a result of which an unpleasant odor is firmly fixed in the apartment. In addition, specific glands of the animal can also emit a smell, which are activated, however, only under extreme conditions. These animals have a huge craving to dig holes, and they will use all options, including trying to dig a hole in the couch. It is almost impossible to wean pets from this. Nimble and nimble, they constantly get underfoot, and besides, they tend to gnaw and spoil things. So to buy or not? The choice is yours.