A Short Lesson in History
The ferret - the critter you see in your local pet shop - has been domesticated for thousands of years. In Europe and Asia, hunters used ferrets to chase rabbits and other game out of their holes. This puts the domesticated ferret at almost the same age as your kitty-cat, which was domesticated around 3,500 years ago.
A while back, when scientists where assigning Latin names to everything, the domesticated ferret was given the same label as his wild cousin, the European polecat. Because of this classification, some state and city governments (such as Hawaii, California, and New York City) consider our fuzzy friends wildlife and ban them as pets. The fear is that pet ferrets will escape from their homes and form feral colonies, reeking havoc on the local wildlife.
Will ferrets escape and rise to rule the world?
So, is a feral ferret colony possible? Well, yes. In the late 1800s, ferrets were imported into New Zealand by the thousands and trained to survive in the wild. Unfortunately, instead of controlling pest populations as intended, the ferret population grew out of control and became pests themselves by eating the eggs of wild birds. What I hope you noticed is that these ferrets were purposely taught to survive on their own. Without human intervention, it would have never happened.
Feral ferret colonies in the U.S. is even more absurd. The vast majority of ferrets sold as pets are altered (fixed). So, even if a female pet ferret escaped and happen to meet up with a male ferret which had also escaped, at least one, and most likely both, would have no way of reproducing. If you ever come across something that you think is a feral ferret, it is most likely a Black footed ferret, a mink, or something similar. Contact a local wildlife sanctuary or animal shelter that can handle wild animals, and they should be able to take care of the animal (and tell you what it really is). If it turns out to be a ferret, it is probably someone's lost pet.
The lost ferret would starve or die of thirst in a matter of days. Although fuzzies are predators by nature, most wouldn't know the first thing about catching something and eating it and that's assuming they came across potential prey. If starvation doesn't get 'em, a dog, hawk, or car would.
What's up with the smell?
Dogs smell. Cats smell. Birds smell. We smell. So, yes, ferrets smell. It's almost as rare to find a ferret that hasn't been descented as it is to find an unaltered (unfixed) ferret. Ferrets are born with scent glands all over their bodies, but the ones most people are concerned about are the scent glands located near their behinds. A ferret that still has its scent gland can drop a musky bomb when it's scared, excited, or angry. Any ferret you buy at the pet shop will probably be descented, so its smell will be at a minimum.
To control your ferret's smell, because it will have a slight musky scent no matter what, it's a good idea to keep its cage and litter box clean. And while you're at it, vacuum regularly around his play area. However, you shouldn't give your carpet monkey a bath more often that about once a month. If you do, her oil glands will go in overdrive and you'll end up with a smellier issue than you began with.
Aren't ferrets viscous biters?
Viscous biters, no. Playful nibblers, yes. They have teeth, don't they? The truth is, all mammals bite, including people. Do you remember that new puppy you got? Recall how hard it was to keep it from chewing on your shoes and your fingers? Well, kits (baby ferrets) nip just like new puppies and kittens. You have to teach them that that kind of play is too rough just like you would any other young animal.
If your new kit tends to nip, try scruffing them and dragging them lightly across the floor. This is an action that older ferrets use on younger ones to make them behave. When my new ferret caught my finger with her teeth, instead of jerking it away, I would press my finger down on her tongue. She hated that and soon back off.
Should I get a ferret?
I adore ferrets and think that everyone else should too. However, I do not think that everyone should own one.
Just like any pet, ferrets require a certain amount of financial obligations. The need shots, regular vet visits, food, a cage, and play things. Many ferrets are susceptible to illness, especially in the adult years, and you should be ready for this. You can count on a healthy ferret to live around eight years, but it's not unheard of a ferret living up to twelve. That's a lot of time to dedicate to a pet, and if you're not willing to do the time (and the money) you should reconsider getting one.
Ferrets are playful and rambunctious, so they need a lot of space to play. They are not hamsters or gerbils that can stay caged all day and be happy. For a ferret, the cage should be used as a place to eat, sleep, relax, and use the litter box. Your ferret should also occupy its cage when you're asleep, gone, or when it would be dangerous for it otherwise (say, when you're going in and out of the house or cleaning). If you don't have the room for a cage and play area, do the ferret a favor and don't get it.
Owning a ferret takes a lot of preparation. If you're considering owning one, do some research: read books on ferrets, talk to people who have them, spend time with one.
But be warned! Getting a ferret may lead to more ferrets, a subscribtion to Ferret Magazine, and "I love Ferret" bumper stickers on your car.
