Some close family members of ours are currently residing in a place where there are ferrets. I do not know alot about these creatures but today with my class, we visited a Pet Store where there was a huge cage with at least five ferrets in it. I immediately think of these particular family members and ask many questions to find out more about these little mousy-weasel looking animals. Some keypoints:
- Ferrets have a scent gland in them that makes them smell like a skunk. This is usually removed when they are to be pets but they will always have a slight scent of a skunk on them.
- Ferrets can live up to 10 years
- They do bite, especially if they have be abused or mistreated. However the lady was quick to note that especially young ferrets have sore gums so what may feel like a bite to people, may actually be a nibble on their part. You need to do what is called "nibble training" or "gentle mouthing" training with them. This is basically to say "no" and maybe use some kind of bitter bite deterrent liquid with them
- It is encouraged to let a ferret out of their cage for at least 3 hours a day
-They were domesticated long ago to kill smaller rodents
-Ferrets eat meat exclusively
-They are highly susceptible to rabies and definitely need to have constant shots
- 70% of all ferrets will need a surgery in their lives
I have honestly not known anyone before this current situation who owns a ferret but according to the Pet Store lady, they are quite a popular pet. Who knew?
12 comments:
crazy crazy...didn't paris hilton own a ferret? Or was that some other wacky animal? They just look so "weasel-y" to me, I can't get over it...I couldn't cuddle with that. I was actually just whining over pictures of puppies online...I want one. But maybe not really - it's just like the "I want a baby, but not one that cries"...I more just want to play with someone else's and give it back when it's bad or I'm bored. :)
I would take a puppy or cat any day of the week over a ferret. They kind of gross me out!
I tell you, I have never been so on edge as I was when I visited the close family members of yours who currently reside with ferrets!! I was always afraid I would see the ferrets...one morning I heard them scratching at the door and I was really nervous. Another time I was on the phone with Susan and I could hear them scratching on the door over the phone....yikes! But I did in fact see one of them one morning and was sufficiently grossed out for the rest of the day!!
Katherine's old roomate Michelle has or had a ferret. I think she may even have some pictures on her blog of her ferret. Kylie
Amber, when are you guys coming home for Christmas?
I didn't know!
Identity revealed.
Alright, its out of the closet. Darcen and Susan live with ferrets. In their defense, they have been amazingly brave and strong through this and given them the benifit of the doubt over and over.
Because of this ferrets are part of our lives and I am trying to accept it.
Me too.
ahhh...it was my fault....i didn't mean to reveal your identity....oh man!
It's all good man, it was going to leak out sooner or later. :) hehe
You can't have such a scandilous roomate and keep it a secret... the press love stories like this!
Its true my roommate Michelle had a ferret. I actually liked it. It was a nice non-biting ferret. They are the funniest when they run across the room because their bodies are so long. I don't know if their ability to catch other smaller rodents still works because we hada family of mice living in our laundry room and the ferret didn't seem to kill any of them. We had to do it ourselves.
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