Why are black-footed ferrets endangered?
The black-footed ferret is an animal of the western grasslands, completely dependent upon prairie dogs for its survival. Prairie dogs have declined in numbers due to habitat destruction, poisoning, and plague, so that today they inhabit only about 2% of their original range. As prairie dog numbers declined, so did the black-footed ferret, until only 18 known individuals were left in the wild in 1986.
The black-footed ferret is an animal of the western grasslands, completely dependent upon prairie dogs for its survival. Prairie dogs have declined in numbers due to habitat destruction, poisoning, and plague, so that today they inhabit only about 2% of their original range. As prairie dog numbers declined, so did the black-footed ferret, until only 18 known individuals were left in the wild in 1986. Are black-footed ferrets the same as domestic ferrets? No–the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) is an endangered species and the only ferret native to North America. The domestic ferret (Mustela putorius) is of European origin and has been domesticated for hundreds of years. What family of animals does the black-footed ferret belong to? The black-footed ferret is a member of a group of carnivorous mammals known as mustelids. Its many relatives include the mink, weasel, skunk, badger, otter and wolverine, to name a few. All mustelids have scent glands under their tails, and most have
