Ferrets live in the wild in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Black-footed ferrets still exist in the wild in North America but are listed as endangered. The small mammals weigh 1-5 pounds and are up to 18 inches long. Ferrets have a lifespan of 5-10 years or longer when domesticated.
Wild ferrets reuse tunnels built by other animals. They need about 120 acres of living space for adequate food resources. As nocturnal creatures, ferrets hunt for small mammals, birds, fish, and other meat to survive.
Ferrets are part of a family of mammals known as mustelids. The mustelid is a small carnivorous mammal known for its long bodies, short legs, and anal scent glands. Domesticated ferrets come in white, sable, black, and brown, and many combinations. Owners often have the scent glands removed in pet ferrets.
Table of Contents
- 1. Weasel
- 2. Badger
- 3. Otter
- 4. Marten
- 5. Skunk
- 6. Mink
- 7. Wolverine
- 8. Tayra
- 9. Polecats
- 10. Mongoose
- 11. Meerkat
- 12. Civet
- 13. Fossa
- 14. Fisher
- 15. Stoat
1. Weasel
Weasels are also part of the mustelid family. They have brown, black, or gray coats, but all turn white in the winter. Weasels look like ferrets but are much smaller. They weigh between 1-12 ounces and are about 4-10 inches in length.
Weasels live in many parts of the world and enjoy a much larger variety of terrain than the ferret. The weasel will happily make their home in woodlands, riverbanks, meadows, and marshes. Weasels can dig a burrow for a home quickly. They do not rely on other animals to dig their tunnels but take over abandoned homes if one becomes available.
Some species of weasel can live ten years, but most will only survive 3-5 years. Weasels often have litters of up to a dozen babies (called kits) compared to the 1-6 kits born to ferrets. The weasel and ferret have gestation times of about one month.
2. Badger
Badgers are from the same family as ferrets. They are bigger and can grow up to 36 pounds. The smallest is known as a ferret-badger. Larger breeds have stocky, … Read the rest of the story.
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