Ferret- Mustela putorius furo

Size- Ferrets are 18-24 inches long and weigh between 2-5 pounds. The males are considerably larger than the females.

Life span- 6-8 years

Diet- Ferrets are carnivores and once fed exclusively on whole small mammals, birds, reptiles and eggs. Domesticated ferrets are fed a dry chow made specifically for ferrets.

Geographic range- Ferrets are believed to have descended from the European polecat, which is found throughout most European countries.

Habitat- Woods and hilly thickets

Reproduction- Females can have 2-3 litters per year with an average of 4-6 kits in each litter. Gestation is 42 days and the babies, called kits, are born with their eyes and ears closed and hairless. They wean at about 6 weeks of age.

Special adaptations- Ferrets have elongated bodies and flexible spines which allow them to turn their bodies 180 degrees. This unique adaptation aided them in their pursuit of prey in underground burrows. This is also one of the reasons why they were domesticated over 2500 years ago, as they were trained by hunters to flush rabbits from burrows.

Behavior- Ferrets are members of the mustelid family which includes weasels, minks, otters, badgers and skunks. They have anal glands that produce a musk that they use to mark their territories and also can be released when they become frightened.