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ADULT WEIGHT 1 – 5 ½ lbs (500 g – 2.5 kg)
Very wide range, and varies considerably according to time of year (up to 40 per cent).
ADULT DIMENSIONS 17 – 24 ins (44 – 60 cm) including tail
Male can be twice as large as female.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN 5 – 6 years in laboratory
Up to 10 years pets (older have been known).
CHROMOSOME COUNT 40
RESPIRATORY RATE 30 – 40 per minute
HEART RATE 220 – 250 beats per minute.
RECTAL TEMP Average 38.8C (101.8F), range 37.8 – 40C (100 – 104F)
TEETH Incisors 3/3, Canines 1/1, Premolars 3/3, Molars 1/2 Supernumerary incisors common
TOES 5 on each foot
NIPPLES 8 (male and female)
VERTEBRAE C7, T14, L6, S3, COL14-18, 14 pairs of ribs
OTHER ANATOMY No caecum, appendix, male prostate gland. Sweat glands not well developed.
ENVIRONMENT Optimum 15 – 20C (60 – 70F max.) Heat prostration likely at 32C (90F)
SEXING Ano-genital distance of male at least twice that of female
PUBERTY 240 – 250 days
SEXUAL MATURITY 9 – 12 months, or the spring following birth
AGE TO BREED M 365 days, F 275 days, 1st mating possible at 6 months
BREEDING SEASON Photoperiodically triggered – possibly 16 hours daylight, but see HAMMOND (Bibl.). Main breeding season March – August in Britain (male testes begin to descend Dec./Jan. and regress by July, female in oestrus any time from March to October).
SEASON SIGNS Female: swollen vulva
DURATION OF OESTRUS Continuous until mated or until end of season and very pro-longed if unmated. Ovulation induced by male stimulus (behaviour and coitus).
DURATION OF MATING 10 minutes to several hours – probably 1 hour on average
OVULATION 30 hours after mating
REDUCTION OF VULVA 7 – 10 days, complete within 2-3 weeks of mating
PALPATION 10 days after vulva reduced
GESTATION Average 42 days (Range 38 – 44 days; at 45 days kits die)
LITTERS PER YEAR Two possible (up to 5 under controlled photoperiod)
NESTING Starts building 10 – 12 days before birth
OTHER BIRTH SIGNS Mammary glands
POST-NATAL OESTRUS 1 – 2 weeks after weaning
LITTER SIZE (2 – 17 average 8, norm 6 – 9) – more in first litter of season than in second
BIRTHWEIGHT ½ oz (5 – 15 g)
DECIDUOUS TEETH Begin to erupt at 10 – 14 days
CANINES 47 – 52 days
EYES/EARS OPEN 21 – 37 days
FUR Almost naked at birth, some by 9 days, good woolly coat by 4 – 5 weeks
OUT OF NEST First ventures usually 3 – 4 weeks
WEANING AGE 6 – 8 weeks
WEANING WEIGHT 10 ½ - 17 ½ oz (300 – 500 g)
ATTAIN ADULT WEIGHT 4 months
1st POSSIBLE MATING 6 months
1st NORMAL MATING 12 months
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Ferret Illness
Any thing that that gives cause for concern regarding ferret health should be put in the hands of a vet. When ill, ferrets can deteriorate quickly. They can be affected by various health problems - the most common being cancers affecting the adrenal glands, pancreas, and lymphatic system.
Good husbandry can help prevent many ailments. Be aware that Ferrets can catch colds and flu from humans, also they are susceptible to kennel cough.
When molting it is a good idea to brush their coats.
Ferret colouring
Albino: Red eyes white coats. Polecat: Brown & black coat bandit like mask on the face. Black eyed whites: self explanatory. Sandy: Similar to polecat but with a yellow / buff coat.
Ferrets come in all shapes and sizes, all make good pets.
