How much do you know about ferrets?

Ferrets: Characteristics, Reproduction, Behavior, and Care

• Ferrets are used in studies of viral and respiratory diseases, dental research, reproductive and digestive systems, and safety testing of drugs and chemicals.
• Ferrets are biologically and physiologically closer to humans than mice and rats, with lungs nearly identical to humans in function and disease susceptibility.
• Ferrets have a similar estrous cycle to women and are used for research in influenza, SARS, COVID, reproductive physiology, anatomy, neurobiology, and cardiology.
• Ferrets are characterized by their long, flexible torso, relatively short legs, prominent canine teeth, and sizable claws on their toes.
• Ferrets vary in coloration, with research ferrets typically having fitch coloration or being albino.
• Ferrets are induced ovulators and have a gestation period of 41-42 days, with an average litter size of 8 kits.
• Ferrets are playful, mischievous, and social animals that prefer to be housed in pairs or groups and require regular handling and socialization.
• Ferrets have a high protein, low carb, low fiber diet and shed their coats twice a year, with ad libitum feeding as the standard practice.
• Ferrets are sensitive to heat and prefer temperatures between 13 °C and 18 °C, and are avid chewers, which can lead to gastrointestinal obstructions.
• Ferrets require a complex and stimulating environment with hard, durable toys for enrichment, and enjoy water baths and live prey as enrichment.
• Signs of pain, distress, or illness in ferrets include straight backs, lethargy, anorexia, aggressive behavior, rapid breathing, foul-smelling substance from scent glands, grinding teeth, vomiting, and estrogen toxicity in females.
• Ferret euthanasia is usually accomplished by sedation or anesthesia followed by an injection of a lethal dose of barbiturate, with death verification and carcass disposal according to facility guidelines.

Ferrets: Characteristics, Reproduction, Behavior, and Care

• Ferrets are used in studies of viral and respiratory diseases, dental research, reproductive and digestive systems, and safety testing of drugs and chemicals.
• Ferrets are biologically and physiologically closer to humans than mice and rats, with lungs nearly identical to humans in function and disease susceptibility.
• Ferrets have a similar estrous cycle to women and are used for research in influenza, SARS, COVID, reproductive physiology, anatomy, neurobiology, and cardiology.
• Ferrets are characterized by their long, flexible torso, relatively short legs, prominent canine teeth, and sizable claws on their toes.
• Ferrets vary in coloration, with research ferrets typically having fitch coloration or being albino.
• Ferrets are induced ovulators and have a gestation period of 41-42 days, with an average litter size of 8 kits.
• Ferrets are playful, mischievous, and social animals that prefer to be housed in pairs or groups and require regular handling and socialization.
• Ferrets have a high protein, low carb, low fiber diet and shed their coats twice a year, with ad libitum feeding as the standard practice.
• Ferrets are sensitive to heat and prefer temperatures between 13 °C and 18 °C, and are avid chewers, which can lead to gastrointestinal obstructions.
• Ferrets require a complex and stimulating environment with hard, durable toys for enrichment, and enjoy water baths and live prey as enrichment.
• Signs of pain, distress, or illness in ferrets include straight backs, lethargy, anorexia, aggressive behavior, rapid breathing, foul-smelling substance from scent glands, grinding teeth, vomiting, and estrogen toxicity in females.
• Ferret euthanasia is usually accomplished by sedation or anesthesia followed by an injection of a lethal dose of barbiturate, with death verification and carcass disposal according to facility guidelines.

Ferrets: Characteristics, Reproduction, Behavior, and Care

• Ferrets are used in studies of viral and respiratory diseases, dental research, reproductive and digestive systems, and safety testing of drugs and chemicals.
• Ferrets are biologically and physiologically closer to humans than mice and rats, with lungs nearly identical to humans in function and disease susceptibility.
• Ferrets have a similar estrous cycle to women and are used for research in influenza, SARS, COVID, reproductive physiology, anatomy, neurobiology, and cardiology.
• Ferrets are characterized by their long, flexible torso, relatively short legs, prominent canine teeth, and sizable claws on their toes.
• Ferrets vary in coloration, with research ferrets typically having fitch coloration or being albino.
• Ferrets are induced ovulators and have a gestation period of 41-42 days, with an average litter size of 8 kits.
• Ferrets are playful, mischievous, and social animals that prefer to be housed in pairs or groups and require regular handling and socialization.
• Ferrets have a high protein, low carb, low fiber diet and shed their coats twice a year, with ad libitum feeding as the standard practice.
• Ferrets are sensitive to heat and prefer temperatures between 13 °C and 18 °C, and are avid chewers, which can lead to gastrointestinal obstructions.
• Ferrets require a complex and stimulating environment with hard, durable toys for enrichment, and enjoy water baths and live prey as enrichment.
• Signs of pain, distress, or illness in ferrets include straight backs, lethargy, anorexia, aggressive behavior, rapid breathing, foul-smelling substance from scent glands, grinding teeth, vomiting, and estrogen toxicity in females.
• Ferret euthanasia is usually accomplished by sedation or anesthesia followed by an injection of a lethal dose of barbiturate, with death verification and carcass disposal according to facility guidelines.