| Knowing where we come from is part of | | | | cause rats, mice, rabbits and gophers to flee. |
| understanding who we are. Ferret care begins | | | | Their humans counterparts would be ready to |
| with an understanding of the history and | | | | destroy the vermin as they fled. |
| background of our ferret friend. | | | | Although valued at one time for their fur. This |
| Ferrets are part of the Mustelidae family (Mustela | | | | practice was encouraged in the early 20th |
| putorius furo) and appear to be a domesticated | | | | century but never really caught on and was made |
| breed of the European polecat. Their name is | | | | illegal in most states. |
| derived from the Latin term for thief which fits | | | | Ferrets were the primary means of catching |
| them well as they love to steal and hoard. They | | | | rodents in private residences and on farms until |
| are related to the weasel, mink, otter, badger and | | | | replaced by cats in the late 18th century. |
| skunk. One characteristic that separates them | | | | With the ferret's skill in traveling through tunnels, |
| from their relatives is the ability to be tamed for | | | | this talent has been put to good use by modern |
| life and feel quite comfortable around humans. | | | | industry. Fitted with a special harness, and carrying |
| Some people confuse the domesticated ferret | | | | a nylon pull string line behind, ferrets crawl through |
| with its distant cousin the black-footed ferret | | | | pipes and manmade tunnels long distances. At the |
| (Musela nigrapes), a member of the endangered | | | | other end of his journey the pull string is attached |
| species list. Where the domesticated ferret finds | | | | to electrical or electronic cables and pulled back |
| its roots in Europe, the black-footed ferret is | | | | through the pipe. Whether it be on an oil rig in the |
| native to North America. | | | | North Sea or in the underbelly of a jumbo jet, |
| Ferrets have been a part of human history for | | | | ferrets perform the tricks of their trade for |
| millennia. Their natural ability to hunt rabbits and | | | | appreciative masters. |
| rodents has been put to good use over the | | | | As a companion animal, ferrets are a joy to care |
| years. From historical references in ancient Rome | | | | for and a constant source of energy and |
| to the Crusades, the ferret's skill in rodent control | | | | playfulness. It is no wonder that the popularity of |
| is a part of the fabric of Western civilization. As a | | | | ferrets has grown in recent years. Some |
| hunting animal the ferret was used to hunt rabbits | | | | estimates are that ferrets are the number three |
| for sport or for population control. There are a | | | | most popular un-caged pet in the United States |
| number of historical references where ferrets | | | | and Canada behind the cat and dog. There are a |
| were used to control rodents onboard ships as | | | | growing number of resources available for the |
| early as the 1700s. In fact, this is likely the means | | | | ferret owner: magazines, clubs, forums and |
| by which they were first brought to America. | | | | newsletters. Movements are increasing to legalize |
| Their particular skill in dispelling rodents, rabbits and | | | | ferrets in every state. Ferret fever is |
| other pests from their holes made them of | | | | ever-expanding. |
| particular value to the New World early settlers. | | | | We approach our new furry friend with greater |
| Just a whiff of the ferret's scent was enough to | | | | respect and admiration as we know his roots. |