Black-Footed Ferret Facts

Black-footed ferrets have been the cause of much hype in North America, and with good reason. There are clearly many interesting facts about black-footed ferrets aside from their colorful and distinct foot color among the ferret species. Here are some enlightening facets of the black-footed ferrets.

Fact 1: The one thing that is most special about the black-footed ferret is they are becoming extinct and they are quickly losing their numbers especially in the North American continent. These black-footed ferrets are extremely sensitive and prone to attack, so they are usually being captured and helped by concerned researchers worldwide.

Fact 2: They have mink and polecats for relatives. Its closest relatives would be the Russian polecat, also known as the Steppe polecat. Though they look like rodents, they are not related to them. In fact, they eat them, because they are natural carnivores.

Fact 3: There are numerous conservation efforts worldwide to help elevate the number of existing black-footed ferrets. Aside from being extremely attractive, losing these ferrets to some prairie deprivation will definitely disrupt the ecological balance of the areas in North America. As such, they are really treasured all the more and the human interventions are aimed to helping resurrect their dwindling numbers.

Fact 4: They are not allowed for domestication or breeding. And in addition to that, you cannot duplicate them. These animals naturally run wild, few as their numbers are now. Only conservation efforts would be a viable excuse to have these ferrets in your home. You will have to secure a permit or may be forced to have them sheltered in a conservation area made just for them.

Fact 5: Their physical colors blend well with their natural environment. Their yellow belly, tiny feet and black stripes when blended with their natural habitat serves as an effective camouflage. They usually stick closely to the ground so that they will be free from predators who roam as freely as they do.

Fact 6: Their male species are 2 pounds heavier than the females.

Fact 7: They are known for scent glands that produce musk. Though they look really cute, they sometimes stink especially when in the face of danger. Their nearest cousins to this would be the skunks. Their scent glands also help them identify people and fellow ferrets so they can easily detect strangers or intruders when they visit their area.

Fact 8: Their discovery was accidental.

Fact 9: They are strictly adhering to their natural habitat or environment. The black-footed ferrets are extinct because their habitat or environment is getting more and more fragmented and destroyed over time. Without the specific conditions of their natural environment, they will perish or die easily. This is also why people in North America are doing their very best to recreate and restore their natural habitat so that they will be able to preserve whatever is left of one of their continent’s most attractive heritage.

Fact 10: They are like French women who have small but frequent meals. Black-footed ferrets like having numerous small meals in a day. This keeps them in a hyper mood and always on the lookout for things to chew. That is also why the most common dangers of the ferrets involved having eaten or swallowed something they shouldn’t have swallowed in the first place.

Fact 11: They get excited and bored easily.

Ferret Care Tips

Ferrets can live for up to 10 years or even more. This depends on how you to care of them so if you want to enjoy this friendship for the long term, it is best to read on further.

One thing you have to know about ferrets is that they are nocturnal creatures. They sleep during the day for up to 18 hours or more but when they are awake, they are very active and would like to play with their owner.

But how do you care for a ferret? Since ferrets need to eat, you must give them food that is consisting of meat and poultry products that are rich in protein and low in fat. You must never anything that is high in sugar and carbs as this causes health problems. The same goes for food intended for other animals.

Giving your ferret water is also important. You can give this to them in the form of a bottle or a bowl as they too get dehydrated.

Your pet should also have roomy cage to stay in. Ideally, this should measure 18” x 18” x 30”. Some owners may purchase a multilevel cage so they can go up and down instead of just staying on one level. The cage should be escape proof so it is not able to get out when you are not home.

It will also be a good idea to buy toys for the ferret to play with. You should make sure that these can withstand their razor sharp teeth because they may swallow it. Since ferrets also need exercise, you can bring this out with you and go for a walk provided that it has a leash.

The ferret should only be let out of the cage with proper supervision. This will prevent them from chewing cords, carrying away small objects, swallowing things or escaping out the house which is better known as ferret proofing your home.

So there are not stains on the carpet, it is best to toilet train the ferret. You can do so by buying or making a litter box and then putting some waste there so it knows that this is the place to go when they have to answer nature’s call.

To further reinforce this thinking, it is best to reward them with a snack. This approach can also be used to teach them to do other tricks. One example is using a squeaky toy which tells them to come running back to you if you are not able to catch them. Other tricks which are also taught to dogs are fetch, play dead or roll over.

But if you have a baby ferret, you should start first with kitten food for the first three years before buying ferret food. This should be done gradually of course and you can add a few other items like meat or poultry bones and snacks like cereals, fruits and vegetables in moderation.

Don’t forget to bring your ferret for his or her regular checkup with the vet. States that allow you to own one require you to have it vaccinated once a year.

You will have a great time caring for a ferret as long as you have followed the directions mentioned above. Who knows? You might want to get another one as other have because the more, the merrier.

Buying Ferrets Online

There are tons of items you can buy through the web. You can get clothes, jewelry, toys and lately, animals such as ferrets are also available in the market.

Sites like these can be found all over the country. All you have to do is type in some keywords using a search engine then browse through what the seller or the breeder has available.

If you are thinking of getting a good deal by making the highest bid, don’t ever bother because you won’t find live ferrets up for grabs here by looking them up in an auction site since you will only find the accessories.

Most sites have photos of the ferrets and when you have chosen the one you like, you can pay for it so this can be delivered or be told to pick it up yourself from the breeder. These are available in different ages, gender and color so take your pick.

You don’t spend more or less when you decide to buy a ferret online instead of getting it in your neighborhood because the selling price of a ferret is still around $75 to $125. At the same time that you are buying your ferret, you may also buy some other items like the cage and a few other accessories that will be an additional $100 to $250.

Aside from breeders who sell ferrets online, you will also be able to find information that you will find useful in taking care of your pet. There are articles written by experts, books and posts which allow you to ask questions and read the responses from other ferret owners.

For people who have never raised a ferret before, it is best to do some research about this animal. You should know how to take care of them and most importantly, if it is legal to own one where you reside. As of now, ferrets are illegal to own as pets in the states of California, Hawaii, Texas and Canada. They are legal in the cities of Illinois, Minneapolis, New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island and owners are required to acquire a permit.

If you do not live in any of the areas mentioned, you should get in touch with your local game or wildlife department or your local vet.

But buying a ferret is not that different from buying any other item on the web. You still have to be careful who you buy it from to avoid being scammed by doing a background check. Since you want good value for your money, it is best to get in touch with a few breeders or sellers and then try haggle a bit before closing the deal.

Should you be required to pick up the animal yourself, examine it carefully by looking at the eyes, its behavior and the coating. It is only if you are satisfied with the animal that you pay up the whole amount and then take it home.

Buying ferrets online is simply a new means of owning this animal because aside from them, you may also get a ferret as a pet by adopting one from an animal shelter. These are usually abandoned and to weak to fend for themselves in the wild so it is best for someone to take care of them.

If you think you can handle it, go ahead and get one because this small little creature also needs a happy home.

Ferret Prices And Costs

This question has been frequently asked by interested parties who are considering getting a pet ferret. But there are actually many possible answers to this question, depending on which angle you choose to see it. There are various price quotes for ferrets these days, but the most reliable would be one that will come in with the advantages, disadvantages or how’s and why’s of such pricing.

Average store or breeder ferret: $100

On to the safer side of things, a breeder ferret will cost you a hundred dollars or so, depending on the age, store quality and rarity of the breed in that particular region where you ordered it. The average store of breeder ferret will also give you the advantage of having more people to talk to about it because most people who own ferrets for the first time get it from stores and will be more than happy to share with you their discoveries. Since this is a popular choice, you will also get a popular response should you encounter problems with your regular breeder ferret in the future.

Premium breed ferret: $200 and up

A premium bred ferret will cost higher and will definitely have higher maintenance. Though at the outset all ferrets may seem to be made of the same stuff, you might have to have additional facts with your premium breed. Perhaps they are easier to train, de-musked by removal of glands or have other special tricks up their sleeve compared to the regular ferret. And as an owner, you might have to know all of these after you hand in your hard-earned $200.

Cage, Supplies: $100

Ferrets are creatures that you cannot just leave lying around in your house. They need cages, toys, and other supplies such as shower toiletries. The ferret is like a baby in some ways. You have to prepare for its coming and make sure it comes in complete with the right stuff. If you are really eager to provide the best care for your ferret, there is definitely a need to shell out regularly for cage, supplies and toys that will keep you in harmony with your ferret’s wants and needs.

Vaccinations: $100 and up

Health is wealth even for ferrets. Vaccinations will ensure that they will not acquire viruses or illnesses that easily. This will be your ally especially if you are still in the beginning stage of caring for your ferrets. You might not be able to closely monitor or instantly define what’s wrong, so an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

Special Cases with the Vet: $300 per visit

There will also be cases where your pet ferret will undergo something major so you need to have at least $300 stashed somewhere for you to access should these things happen.

How much do ferrets cost? They are really expensive, especially if you factor in all the other priceless items such as your time, love, devotion and energy in caring for them.

Making Your Ferret Comfortable

How do ferrets respond to their environment? This is a typical question ferret owners are frequently confronted with especially when they are getting used to caring for their furry friend. There is no easy answer as to how ferrets respond to their environment, but there are several familiar scenarios that can help you get an idea of what you can expect from their furry mammals.

New Surroundings

Ferrets love new surroundings. If there is anything you can provide them with that will really make them happy and do their classic war dance of excitement, it would have to be new playgrounds for them to conquer. Since ferrets are quite adventurous, the only danger would be the fact that they may get too adventurous and get lost in the new surroundings.

So if you are taking your dear furry pal to the park or someplace that is new and exciting for them, make sure that you keep your eyes open to where they might be crawling next. Ferrets are quite fast creatures so you might even use this as an opportunity to jog with your pet.

Familiar Surroundings

The thing with the familiar surroundings which help ferrets is that they get to do their training better. You can’t expect to train them well with good manners if you are not able to furnish some semblance of familiarity. The ferrets might not know it, but once domesticated, they will really need a place they can call home. They tend to relax in familiar surroundings, but then they can get bored so there is always a need to shake things up with a new toy or rearrangement of some of the things your ferrets play with.



Noisy Surroundings

Ferrets like enclosed spaces and are not as well-adjusted to noisy surroundings. In fact, this might alarm them or signal that they are being attacked. Some normal conversational noise may be tolerable, but anything in excess to that may be considered detrimental to your ferret’s health.

Cluttered Surroundings

Clutter is the ferret’s best friend. They love taking things and treats new objects as toys, just as any innocent infant would in her crib. For the pet owner, this may be equivalent to Jumanji since the ferret can and will swallow anything in its midst. Its particular love for the unfamiliar may pose some danger to its digestive tract so make sure that you know the clutter they will be in before letting them loose.

Clean Surroundings

Clean surroundings are good only for sleeping, which is daytime for ferrets since they are nocturnal creatures. Their sleeping area must be free from parasites so that they can have the sweetest dreams when they sleep. Over time, clean may translate to boring so you may find your ferrets bringing in new stuff to shake things up in his clean crib.

Indoors

Indoors are fine for as long as your ferrets are in their resting stage. If the indoors is completely furnished with toys that will keep them amused, the ferrets will find no reason to roam. Though they are naturally wired to be wild and in the outdoors, ferrets may actually enjoy being the indoors if the place keeps them excited and motivated to explore.

Outdoors

Outdoors, ferrets are happiest. But you might risk losing them if the area is too wide and filled with trees.

How ferrets respond to their environment greatly depends on how they are designed. If you can give them various environments to play in, it will make them very happy. Like humans, always staying at home may make them dull and it will really pay to render them some constant dose of excitement.

Overview Of Ferrets

More people are considering ferrets as household pets. These creatures that are typically colored black, brown, white or mixed fur may grow up to 20 inches in length, 5 inches in height and weigh about 2 to 4 pounds. They have an average life span of 7 to 10 years that may live just as long as other animals kept inside a home.

The ferret belongs to the Mustelidae family and one of its closest relatives is the weasel. Studies have shown that it has similar qualities to badgers, skunks and wolverines so if you are planning to own one, keep in mind that this small creature is a carnivore.

This means that your ferret should eat either meat or poultry. When you are shopping for it at the grocery, make sure that it contains high level protein and low levels of fat. You must never get food that is rich in carbs or sugar as well as those that are intended for other animals as this may cause serious health problems for the animal.

One thing you should know before deciding to own a ferret is that unlike other animals, they require a lot of attention. They don’t like being locked up in a cage the whole day like your hamster or guinea pig so if you don’t have the time, you should think about getting something else.

If you have children at home who are below the age of 6, this should not be given to them because ferrets have sharp teeth and they will retaliate if they are attacked.

Most ferrets sleep for about 18 to 20 hours each day but when they are awake, they must be allowed to come out and play. The downside to this as some owners have experienced is that they will chew on just about anything that could do some considerable damage to the home. The only way to prevent that from happening is to ferret proof your home.

You can do this by putting metal coiling on all your electrical cords, blocking off certain areas of the house so your ferret will not go there, windows must be screened so the animal does not get out of the house, the floor must be cleaned at all time to prevent them from eating dirt that is on the floor and air ducts are covered using ferret proof vents.

The ideal cage for a ferret must measure 18” x 18” x 30”. This will give them space to move inside as well as play with toys that you provide them. There must also be a litter plan to collect their waste that can be removed, cleaned and returned once a week.

You will need to toilet train your ferret so when it needs to answer nature’s call, it can easily do so inside the litter box. The best one to get is the kind of made of recycled newspaper that will also need to be cleaned between one to two times daily.

Ferrets are now considered to be the third most popular pet in the United States. If you think you have the time to spend with such a cute little animal, go ahead and get one. You may not bring it around the neighborhood like a dog but you can spend quality time in the comforts of your home.

Where To Buy Ferrets

Ferrets are cute little creatures and chances are, you have seen one or two of them in television or in a movie. Years ago, they were used to hunt down and dig rabbits hiding underground but now many seem them as ideal pets.

You can buy a ferret from a breeder, a shelter or from a humane society. They usually cost around $75 to $125 depending on their age. You must never get one from the wild because they will not be able to adapt with the environment in your home.

If you can’t find a breeder in the newspaper, you can try your luck online. While some sellers will tell you to pick them from their home, others are willing to ship it to you as long as you pay for the costs to transport. You just have to find the right seller that makes buying it convenient for you. But remember the ideal is to go directly to the seller and see them in person, as you can then check how the breeder is keeping the ferrets. Making sure they are healthy and a clean environment etc.

It is best to also get in touch with the local wildlife, game department and local veterinarian to find out if it is legal to buy one since some states like California do not allow homeowners to have this as a pet.

When buying a ferret, don’t just pick one from the lot but examine it carefully. You should check if the creature has bright eyes, a soft coat, healthy skin, whiskers and are playful. Don’t forget to ask about the age and gender because males are generally much longer and heavier than the female ferret.

Buying a ferret is one thing. The challenging part is making sure it is healthy. This can only happen of course with tender and loving care from the owner because even though they sleep for more than 15 hours a day, they are very active when they are awake. Another challenge is finding a veterinarian who is willing to see your ferret.

You will also need to get the right cage and food for your ferret as these items can be purchased from the pet store. The ideal home of the ferret should 18” x 18” x 30”. This is sufficient enough for them to move around inside and play with the toys. The cage should also be made of steel with small bars that it cannot squeeze through. There must be a solid floor or plastic liner on the bottom and a litter pan to catch waste that comes out.

Their diet must strictly be chicken, poultry or a combination of the two. It must have high levels protein and low levels of fat. This should not be rich carbs or sugar and if the store where you purchase this does not have this in stock, you must go elsewhere and not substitute this with food that is intended for other animals.

Some people have second thoughts of buying ferret because it smells. Although this is true, sellers usually descent the animal and neutered before this is purchased. Once it is with you, giving it a bath helps once in awhile helps.

Aside from the cage, you must also have a litter box so it can answer nature’s call when it is outside. This should first be placed near the cage and once he or she is used to it, this can be relocated elsewhere.

Pets are great to have. If you want something small and yet playful, look around because you might just find a ferret for sale that is to your liking.