General information

Origin

Ferrets had been bred from the wild polecat, so they are carnivores by their very origins.
In the beginning the ferret was especially bred for catching rats and mice, later ferrets were also used for hunting rabbits due to their excellent hunting qualities. Nowadays most ferrets are exclusively bred and kept as pets
 
Physique particularities of ferrets

• only 34 teeth (instead of 38 like the marten)
• no collarbones
• extremely short intestines (only about 4 x as long as the body)
• no appendix
• nearly no colon (only a few cm)
• intestinal passage of food mash: 3 - 4 hours
• anal gland which are emptied in case of danger

Ferret data

• Length females: 25 - 40 cm
• Length males: up to 60 cm
• Weight females: 500 - 900 g
• Weight males: 1 200 - 2 000 g (and more)
• Expected lifetime 8 - 10 years