welcome | facts | choosing | feeding | looking after | care | links | leaflets

Ferret Facts

Latin Name: Mustela putorius furo
Female: Jill
Male: Hob
Young: Kittens
Life Span: 5-11 years (domesticated)
Litter Size: 5 – 13 kittens
Birth Weight: 8-10 gms
Eyes Open: From four weeks
Gestation Period: 38-44 days
Average Weight: Male: 700-2000 gms Female: 600-900 gms
Sexual Maturity: Male: 5-9 months Female: spring after birth
Weaning Age: 6-8 weeks
Diet: Carnivorous
Vaccinations: Canine Distemper

History of the Ferret

Ferrets are related to mink and weasels and are from the family called “Mustelids”. In 3000BC ferrets were first domesticated by the Ancient Egyptians. It wasn’t until the 1980’s that ferrets became popular as pets. They were introduced in the 10th Century to Europe as working ferrets. There are now no wild ferrets left in the world.

Nowadays ferrets have become popular pets. It is estimated that there is a population of over 1.5 million world-wide.

Domesticated ferrets have the Latin name “Mustela putorius furo” that means “bad smelling weasel”.

back to top | previous page