by Angie Pollock

Created on: February 15, 2009   Last Updated: March 06, 2009

The ferret (Mustelidae) has many unique characteristics and just as many common misconceptions. The ferret is a member of the weasel and mink family although it is many times referred to as a rat. These amazing creatures have been ranked third behind dogs and cats as the post popular free roaming house pet in the United States by a survey conducted by The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA).

The name "ferret" derives from the Latin word "furo" which translates to "thief". Over one million ferrets can be found in homes across North America. Ferret ownership within North America continues to rise even though it is illegal to own this animal within several US states. What was once trained for hunting small animals like rabbits, the ferret has become an interactive companion to individuals around the world.

Domesticated ferrets cannot survive in the wild. The Black-Footed ferrets which are known to live in the wild in certain parts of the United States are extremely endangered. The ferrets we see today in homes and pet stores are quite different from the wild ferret. Many researchers believe that the domesticated ferrets owned today descended from polecats rather than from wild ferrets like the Black-Footed ferret.

The lanky body of the ferret can reach up to 24 inches from nose to tail with males being typically longer than females. Their weight averages five pounds for males and three pounds for females. The lifespan is approximately five to eight years and although it is quite rare, a ferret can live past ten years.

Baby ferrets (kits) are born with a white coat which changes to the adult color at about three weeks of age. These coat colors can range from albino to a beautiful sable color. Ferrets can reach sexual maturity as early as five months of age with gestation lasting a short 42 days. An average litter size is around eight kits but it is not unheard of for litter to contain up to 18 babies.

One of the most common complaints about ferrets is the odor emitted by this creature even though ferrets are clean animals, spending hours on self-grooming. The ferret is a distant relative of the skunk however the ferret doesn't smell quite as bad. The odor is typically described as "musty" which can be offensive for some and tolerable for others. All the cleaning in the world will not fully eliminate the odor but the ferret can be descented, a process of removing the anal sacs which reduces ferret odor.

Holding true to their Latin name, the ferret

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