Ferret

Colophon

The animal on the cover of Ferret is a ferret. The scientific name for the domestic ferret is Mustela putorius furo, or “weasel-like smelly thief.” These slender, carnivorous mammals are about 20 inches long—including a 5-inch tail—weigh 2–4 pounds, and live for 7–10 years. Common colors include albino, chocolate, butterscotch, silver, and cinnamon. The domestic ferret is sometimes confused with the wild black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), an endangered North American mammal related to the Russian polecat. Male ferrets are called hobs, female ferrets are jills, and young ferrets are kits. A group of ferrets is a business.

Ferrets were first bred 2,500 years ago in Africa for hunting rabbits. Today they are more often kept as pets, and are now the third most popular pet in the United States after cats and dogs. Ferrets are intelligent and playful; they can recognize their names and learn simple tricks. They have a habit of stealing household objects and hiding them—socks, keys, books, umbrellas, T.V. remotes, even fish out of bowls. When ferrets are excited and want to play, they bounce and flop around in a routine known as a “weasel war dance.” They may also hiss and arch their backs. Ferrets in war dances tend to be clumsy, often hopping into things or tripping on their own feet.

Some parts of the world restrict the keeping of ferrets. A ferret-free zone, or FFZ, is a place where ferrets are banned or illegal. Three reasons are often cited for a ban: ...