Ferret
Mustela furo · Mammal, mustelid (domesticated)
Meet them at our Fort Lauderdale cafe
- Native range
- Fully domesticated. Ferrets have worked and lived alongside humans for more than two thousand years, originally as hunters of rabbits and rodents.
- Size
- Long, low, and absurdly flexible, usually 1 to 4 pounds.
- Lifespan
- Typically 5 to 9 years in good care.
- Conservation
- Domesticated; not assessed for conservation.
Little Learners Corner
Ferrets are long, wiggly, and silly, and they do a bouncy sideways dance when they are excited.
Say it like a scientist: muss-TEE-luh FYOOR-oh
Where They Live
Human homes, and historically farms and ships. Their wild relatives, polecats, live across Europe.
What They Eat
Obligate carnivore. Meat, full stop.
How They Live
Playful, social sleep machines. Ferrets snooze most of the day and spend their waking hours wrestling, exploring, and performing the sideways pouncing weasel war dance.
Ferrets as Pets?
Ferrets can be wonderful companions for prepared owners, and demanding ones: they need hours of supervised play, ferret proofed rooms, a carnivore diet, and an exotics veterinarian. Meet ours first and see what you would be signing up for.
Fun Facts
A group of ferrets is called a business.
The name traces to a Latin word meaning little thief, which every ferret owner considers accurate.
Ferrets sleep so deeply they can appear limp; keepers call it dead sleep, and it is normal.
Capy Quiz: Prove It
What is a group of ferrets called?
People also ask: Are Ferrets Good Pets for Kids?
Keep exploring: Patagonian Mara came before this, Rabbit is next, or head back to the full Animal Encyclopedia.
Fort Lauderdale Is Now Booking
The Fort Lauderdale booking calendar is open. Reserve your spot now, or book at our St. Augustine or St. Petersburg locations today.