Ilder

Did you know that there is a domesticated subspecies of the ferret? The ferret, which is legal to keep as a pet, is a subspecies of the ferret. 

THE FERRET

Family: The raccoon family  

Weight: 0.7 to 1.5 kg

Lifestyle: Solitaire and territorial 

Diet: Primarily small rodents, frogs and toads

The ferret, like the otter, house marten, wood marten and badger, is part of the marten family. Like the rest of the marten family, it has a long, supple body and is extremely agile. The ferret can be easily recognized from the other martens by looking at its face. The ferret has a white face with characteristic black markings above the eyes. The markings can vary in strength and size, but it is a common feature that the ferret's face is two-coloured. 

A hunter

The ferret, like the rest of the marten family, is primarily carnivorous. However, in addition to mice, baby birds and toads, the ferret also takes hare kittens, small birds, fish, reptiles and insects. Occasionally, the ferret also takes carrion. Due to the versatile food, the ferret also has many places to live. It lives on forest edges, thickets, fields, ditches, along streams and lakes and near settlements. The ferret gets its pups in burrows and sometimes takes over abandoned fox burrows.

Winter storage 

Especially in winter, it is difficult to find food for the ferret. Therefore, it spends the spring and summer making a winter supply. The store consists of frogs, toads, bird eggs and mice. The ferret prefers fresh food. The ferret paralyzes its prey by biting through the spinal cord - without killing! That way, the food stays fresh for longer.