1. Matt Johnson Jermane Tyndale
Ferrets
Matt Johnson
Jermane Tyndale

2. History of the Ferret Mammal from Mustela Putorious Furo
Domesticated from the European Polecat
Domesticated 2,500 years ago by ancient Egyptians
Romans used them to hunt
This is called ferreting
1877 New Zealand Farmers demanded them to control rabbit population

3. Description of the Ferret
Long, lean build with inquisitive nature
Equipped for burrowing, chasing rodents, rabbits and moles
Dimorphic predator
Brown, black, white or mixed fur
About 20 inches in length
Weigh lbs
7-10 year life span

4. Description cont. Male Female Hobs Gib Jill Sprite Kit Business
Unneutered
Gib
Neutered
Jill
Unspayed
Sprite
Spayed
Kit
Baby ferret
Business
A group of ferrets

5. Housing & Equipment Ferret cage 24x24x14 Litter Box Water bottle
Food container
Hammock
Nest
Darkness, privacy, snug fit
Plastic storage bin

6. Breeds and Types 1 Breed/ 12 types Sable Black Sable* Chocolate
Champagne
Cinnamon
Albino
Dark eyed white*
Black
Polecats
Angoras
Badger
Silver

7. Feeding Proper diet is important Carnivores High protein (34%)
High fat (20%)
High quality chicken or lamb
Easily digestive food
Short digestive tract

8. Feeding cont.. Do not feed cat food Fresh food and water 24hrs Treats
Too much fiber
Kidney stones
Dull coat
Fresh food and water 24hrs
Treats
Edible chew toys
Shredded unseasoned chicken
Cooked or hard boiled eggs (no table scraps)

9. Reproduction Females can reproduce at 8-12 months
Constant estrus cycle until bred
41 day gestation period
Average of 8 kits
Can be spayed or neutered
Before 6 months of age
Reduces smell associated with ferrets

10. Reproduction cont.. May become falsely pregnant High hormone levels
Bloat to look pregnant

11. Training Nip Training Harness training
Young ferrets have a tendency to bite
Spray bottle with bitter apple
Harness training
Some may like wearing and others wont
Collar is not secure enough

12. Training cont.. Litter box Tricks Most ferrets use a litter box
Leave in corner of cage or room
Tricks
Come, sit, roll over are common tricks
Will not work for affection only treats
Takes patience and repetition

13. Fun Facts Ferret means “thief” in Latin
Newborns fit in palm of a 2yr old child
Ferrets have poor vision but good hearing and smell
3rd most popular pet
Used on ships
Hunt rabbits in 20th century

14. Ferreting