Hey Friends its time for another blog attempt =)
Today will be a lil info session on my favorite animal, the Ferret!!
Over the last 3 years i found my intrest for this lovely creature gain more and more to the point i decided to finally pull the pin and get one (My girlfriends cousins ferret having babies helped as well haha).
So without further stalling here are some fun Ferrety facts and Info ive collected from various sources.
Ferret Facts
The following is a list of some the historic and modem uses for the ferret:
Hunting Rabbits – As mentioned, this was probably one of the first historical uses of the domestic ferret and perhaps its main reason for domestication. The use of a ferret to hunt rabbits is commonly called ferreting. Ferrets were used both for rabbit population control and as a means for humans to obtain food. There is very little training involved because ferrets naturally enjoy running through burrows and seeking out prey. In ancient times, muzzles were used to prevent the ferret from killing and eating the rabbit underground and then taking a nap. There is also evidence that some ancient ferreters made holes in the upper and lower lip of the ferret and tied the lips together or placed a metal ring to hold the lips together before a hunt. Fortunately, muzzles are not used today, but occasionally a harness with a long line attached is employed. These items are rarely needed because when the rabbit smells the ferret coming and it bolts out its escape hole before it can be caught. Prior to releasing the ferret the rabbit holes are covered by purse string nets held in place by a stakes. The net closes around the rabbit as it tries to escape. Alternatively dogs, such as terriers or lurchers. Which is a dog that contains greyhound blood, chase and catch the rabbit or the hunter shoots the rabbit. Lighter colored ferrets are preferred because they are easier to see and retrieve after a hunt. Ferreting is still practiced in some areas of the world.
Rodent control
It is likely that ferrets were also used for rodent control around houses as soon as they were domesticated. Small mammals and birds make up the majority of the wild ferret’s diet and if allowed it is certain they would have hunted within the household. As mentioned, in more recent times, ferrets were used to control rodents around barns and granaries and on European and American ships. The Massachusetts Colonial Navy, which was organized on December29, 1775, was reactivated in 1967 and in 1986 proclaimed the ferret it’s official mascot. An excerpt from the ceremonial speech shows the importance of ferrets on these ships. “Now in the days of the wooden men o’war there was quite often, an uninvited population of rodents aboard ship… Dogs were completely unsuccessful mousers and besides their barking kept both captain and crew awake. Cats were infinitely preferred over dogs, but they were unable to chase mice into the many narrow holes and passageways aboard the ship, so more mice escaped than were caught. But… there was one animal the rats and mice could never escape from… no matter where they tried to hide… no matter how small a hole they ran into… they were doomed! This animal was one of man’s best friends and totally fearless. They were in great demand aboard ships of the colonial navy, and fortunate indeed were the crews that had a ferret for a mascot and friend.”
Fur Production
Ferrets have been raised for fur production for centuries in Europe and in the early 1900′s an effort was made to establish this practice in the United States. The wild coloring of the ferret is preferred and it is likely there was a considerable amount of breeding back to the wild European polecat to maintain the uniformity and quality of the fur. A coat made out of ferret fur is called a fitch coat. Fortunately the practice of breeding ferrets for their fur has become much less common and eventually may die out altogether.
Transporters
The ferret’s anatomy and willingness to run through dark tunnels make them ideal in transporting cables through long pipes. Oilmen in the North Sea, telephone companies, camera crews and people working on airline jets have used ferrets for this purpose. The ferret wears a harness where a long thin nylon line is attached. The nylon line is then connected to the cable that needs to be pulled through the conduit. The use of mechanical devices for this purpose has made the ferret obsolete as a transporter.
Ferret Legging
This is a silly English pub sport that has been around for centuries, but fortunately is no longer common. The contestant must ties his trousers legs securely around the ankles, then places two ferrets, who have full sets of teeth, down his pants and finally tie the waist of his trousers securely closed. If a ferret bites, it can only be dislodged from the outside of the pants. The object is to be the person that keeps the ferrets in his pants the longest. In 1983 a 72-year old Yorkshire man withstood the ferrets for 5 hours and 26 minutes.
Biomedical Research
Ferrets became models for biomedical research in the twentieth century. One of their first uses was for the study of human influenza virus, which they are susceptible to. Currently they are used in the areas of virology, toxicology, pharmacology, reproductive physiology, endocrinology, physiology, teratology, and anatomy. Some of the byproducts of their use in human research has been a tremendous growth in our understanding of ferret anatomy, physiology and ferret disease. Biomedical use of ferrets is the greatest in the United States because of the presence of large-scale ferret breeding facilities that can produce healthy ferrets in large numbers. Other countries lack these facilities and thus ferrets are not used as readily. Unfortunately or not, these breeding facilities produce the largest percentage of ferrets used for pets as well.
Companion Animals
By far the most common use for ferrets today is as a companion animal. They are small, easy to care for and have entertaining and responsive personalities. Ferrets are bred in an astounding variety of color variations and now there is even a longhaired ferret available. Ferret organizations devoted to the nurturing of the ferret as a pets have sprung up all over the world. Devoted ferret owners attend ferret shows where their pets compete in areas such as color classes, best-dressed ferret, yawning contest and races involving bags and long tubes. It is perhaps fitting after a history of working for humans that ferrets should now enjoy a life of luxury as a beloved companion!
My Ferret.
Now that brings us to my lil fella Perry, Perry is a 9 month old Silvermit Ferret and ive had him from the time he was 8 weeks old, if i could sum up Perry in a few words they would be Mischievous, Hilarious and most of all FUN. Just the simplest thing he does can bring a smile to my face, but by far the most enjoyable thing this lil guy does is the weasel war dance (trust me youtube it!!!)
If i could describe what type of animal a ferret is like for me it would be a mix between a dog & a cat, on one side like the dog it has the boundless energy, desire to play and just have fun & then like a cat they can be super lazy and just fall asleep in you lap (considering they sleep up to 20 hours a day).
For those potential owners out there i will say this, ferrets can be tough work. They are very stubborn and once they set their mind on something its hard to change it. So Be prepared to live by these simple rules:
And if you find you can live by these rules a ferret is defiantly the animal for you and you will find that you will have a lil friend to the end. =)
Well thats a night, take it easy peeps
Matt,
