THE BLACK FOOTED

FERRET
By: Frienzzy Reign P. Israel and Philip John C. Pandoy
SKETCH OF THE ANIMAL AND IT’S
CLASSIFICATON
• The black footed ferret
• Also known as Mustela nigripes
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Mustelidae
• Genus: Mustela
• As of 2021, an approximated 300 black
footed ferrets are alive
 THE SPECIFIC HABITAT OF THE
BLACK FOOTED FERRET
• In the wild, ferrets live in grassy plains,
usually making their homes in tunnels that
have been dug by other creatures (like
prairie dogs). Ferrets take over these
tunnels after preying on the animals that
have dug them. This essentially means that
ferrets tend to burrow in enclosed, cozy
spaces.

Pic reference: Animal diversity web

 CAUSE OF EXTINCTION
• Black-footed Ferrets are endangered
because much of the shortgrass prairie
habitat on which the ferrets depend has
been plowed for crops. Prairie dogs (with
the scientific name of Cynomys), which
are the ferrets' main food, have been
reduced in number due to habitat loss
and disease.

Prairie dog
 HOW THE LOSS OF THE PRAIRIE DOGS
AFFECTED THE FERRETS AND THE ECOSYSTEM
• The loss of the prairie dog had affected the ferrets greatly, considering that they are its main
food source.

• It caused a great loss of biodiversity in the areas affected.

• It has also affected coyotes, bobcats, eagles, hawks, foxes, and badgers as those animals prey
on prairie dogs also.
 WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
• Limit the consumption of plastic products

• Support Endangered Species Conservation Organizations

• Don't purchase items like ivory, real tortoise shell, coral, etc.

• Spreading the word via the internet

• Take notice and take action

 THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
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