What are ferrets?
A1. Ferrets belong to the family of mammals called Mustelidae which includes otters, badgers, weasels, polecats and mink.Domestic ferrets are very closely related to polecats, but it unclear whether they a domesticated form of European polecat, the Steppe polecat or some hybrid of the two.They are approximately 20 inches (51 cm) in length (including the tail) and weigh about 2 pounds (1 kg). Males can be quite a bit larger than females.The average lifespan for a ferret is between 5 and 10 years.The history behind the domestication of ferrets is unclear, but it is believed that they have been used for jobs such as hunting rabbits for at least 2500 years.
The ferret is a domesticated cousin of animals such as the weasel, otter and mink. Originally trained for the purpose of flushing rabbits up out of their burrows, their numbers dwindled significantly when this practice was outlawed. Fortunately, their merit as a household jester saved them and the ferret soon became known as one of the more unique (and mischievous) choices that one could find in family pets. Today, the number of household ferrets continues to grow and, where they were once considered an unusual pet, it is not uncommon to find ferrets of all different shapes, colors and sizes throughout the world today. Contrary to popular belief, the ferret is not a rodent but is, in fact, somewhere between the cat and dog on the taxonomical scale. Highly intelligent, these little creatures can be taught to use the litter box, walk on a leash, and can even do a variety of tricks. Do they seem like the perfect pet? Well, in all honesty, ferrets are not for everyone. First of all, they a
