SECTION ONE

Ferrets

CHAPTER 1
Basic Anatomy, Physiology,
and Husbandry

Lauren V. Powers, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian), and Susan A. Brown, DVM
 

their obligate carnivore lifestyle. The European polecat is found

Domestication History in various areas from the Atlantic to the Ural mountains and
Uses dwells along the edges of woodlands and wetlands.12 The Sibe-
Anatomy and Physiology rian polecat is found in Eurasia from the thirtieth to the sixtieth
Integument degree of latitude, may be larger than the European polecat, and
Gastrointestinal System lives primarily in open areas such as steppes, slopes of ravines,
Urogenital System and semi-deserts.12 The black-footed ferret is native to the prai-
Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems ries of North America. It almost became extinct in the wild
Respiratory System because of habitat destruction and the decimation of its main
Endocrine System food source, the prairie dog, from poisoning and hunting.12
Musculoskeletal System Currently, captive breeding and reintroduction programs are
under way in an attempt to reestablish the black-footed ferret
Neurologic System and Special Senses
into its native range. It is illegal to own this endangered species.
Physiology and Reproduction The origin of the domestic ferret, which is traditionally
Physiology referred to as Mustela putorius furo, is shrouded in mystery.
Body Size and Seasonal Weight Variation The Latin name translates loosely as “mouse-eating (mustela)
Reproduction smelly (putorius) thief (furo).” Currently there is a move toward
Husbandry using nomenclature that differentiates the wild progenitors of
Housing a domesticated species from the domesticate, and some mam-
Environmental Enrichment mologists are moving toward referring to the domesticated
Nutrition ferret as Mustela furo.5,11 The domesticated ferret may have
originated from either the Siberian or the European polecat,
or possibly both.5,8,33 It is difficult to find archaeological evi-
dence of domestication, possibly because of the ferret’s small
skeleton, which may have deteriorated rapidly or was indistin-
guishable from wild ferrets living in the environment, or the
DOMESTICATION HISTORY
lack of paraphernalia associated with the ferret, making them
Ferrets belong to the family Mustelidae and are related to wea- archaeologically unimportant.5 Ferrets have been domesticated
sels, mink, otters, badgers, stoats, and martens. There are cur- for approximately 2,000 to 3,000 years.5 The first clear reference
rently three living species of ferrets (also known as polecats in to domestication is in the writings of the Spaniard Isidore of
Europe and Asia): the European polecat (Mustela putorius), the Seville in 622 ad.5 There is a high probability that ferrets were
Steppe or Siberian polecat (Mustela eversmanni), and the black- brought by Romans or Normans during their invasions, but
footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). All three species live primarily there are currently no references that irrefutably link Romans
solitary social lives and are very efficient hunters supporting and Greeks with domestication of ferrets.5 It is likely that ferrets

Copyright © 2012 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 1