by Lynda Chitwood

Created on: February 13, 2009   Last Updated: March 06, 2009

The ferret has been domesticated since 63 BC, and is currently the third most popular pet in the U.S. Still, they are a widely misunderstood creature. As a ferret owner, I have experienced negative reactions to my darling little pet, based on misinformation. People have refused to pick her up, thinking that she bites. Ferrets have many natural behaviors inherent to their species, many of these behaviors are the reason they were domesticated in the first place.

Most of all, their guileless, playful nature is the reason they make such good pets.

BITING

Ferrets bite, as do all carnivorous animals. Puppies and kittens nip and bite, it is in their nature to play this way, a throwback to when they had to learn to be a hunter. A ferret is not much different, and much less dangerous. And just like dogs and cats, a ferret can be taught not to bite. A hard ferret bite is usually the result of the human jerking their hand away, causing the teeth to sink in further. Unless a ferret is very sick or has been abused, they are not aggressive.

THE DANCE

For the uninitiated, a ferret hopping around looks like an animal gone mad. This is called "The Dance of Joy" or the "Weasel War Dance."
They arch their backs, bounce up and down and sideways, their fur sticks out and they truly look insane. They are insanely happy, wanting to play. They will start hopping around, bumping into things.
The more things they bump into the more excited they become. Between poor eyesight and a bad case of ADD, a living room full of furniture is like a battle zone. This behavior is very entertaining, and completely harmless.

NOISES

Ferrets make a "dooking" noise, when they are excited and feeling playful. It's difficult to explain, and belongs only to a ferret.
It's also a noise that is sure to bring a smile to your face.

A frustrated ferret will hiss. This could be from trying to work its way, unsuccessfully, into a cupboard or backpack that is off-limits. They will hiss when you try to take something away from them, it's a sign of irritation, and as long as you are gentle and careful, you can do it without them biting you. If you tug at it, they think you are playing and will clamp down tighter.

THE SPEED BUMP

Ferrets need to get out and run for a couple of hours a day and they will run around like crazy.
When they are done, that's it, they crash and will just lie on the floor. Put them in their hammock and they will fall fast asleep, sometimes so much so that they will alarm their owners.

CURIOSITY

It doesn't just kill the cat; it can kill a ferret, too. They are nosy little creatures, and want most to get into places you don't want them to.
They can and will fit into small places.

This trait is what has made them useful for everything from hunting to running electrical cable. This is also what can get them into trouble inside your home. A small hole in a wall, electrical outlet, or a closet door left ajar can spell disaster for a beloved pet, so caution is critical.

THIEVERY

Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly, and ferrets gotta steal. It is just who they are, their named is derived from the Latin word for thief. They will steal any and every thing they can get a hold of, and stash it in one of their favorite hiding places. This is a nesting instinct, you cannot change this or train it out of them; all you can do try to keep things up and out of their reach.

Once you become familiar with the behaviors of a ferret, they will dance their way into your life and steal your heart.

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