Domestication of ferrets
Table 1 . Normal behaviour in pet ferrets .
The domestic ferret ( Mustela putorius furo ) is derived from the polecat ( Mustela putorius ) ( Figure 1 ). Polecats live in the wild in the UK , mainly in Wales and the Midlands ( extending eastwards to the Peak District and Home Counties ), with populations reintroduced to Argyll , Perthshire , Cumbria , the Chilterns and central southern England [ 7 ] .
Figure 1 . A wild polecat .
The polecat is a solitary , nocturnal animal , whereas ferrets are crepuscular ( active at dawn and dusk ). Through domestication , ferrets have been bred to be less timid , more sociable and more gregarious than polecats .
Solitary animals are ‘ masters at disguising pain ’ [ 8 ] . Ferrets experience pain in the same way as other mammals , but humans have difficulty recognising and evaluating pain in ferrets , probably because they are unfamiliar with ferret behaviour . It is believed that ferrets have been domesticated for only around 3,000 years [ 9 ] , so there has been less time for effective behavioural communication to develop between ferrets and humans , compared with other domesticated species such as cats and dogs .
Behaviour overview
Boisterous , gregarious and mischievous
Curious and inquisitive
Exhibit play behaviour , which may be known as a ‘ weasel war dance ’ or a ‘ joy dance ’ [ 11 ]
Exhibit an ‘ alligator roll ’ when playing with playmates
Solicit and enjoy tickling
Have a zest for life [ 12 ]
Generally quiet but can use positive vocalisations
Additional information
See Figure 2
Ferrets explore and investigate new objects or environments , mainly using their sense of smell and touch , but sometimes their mouth
Ferrets become so excited that they run around rather haphazardly ( Figure 3 )
Ferrets hold on to the scruff of another ferret and roll [ 11 ]
This has been shown to be a rewarding and fear-reducing form of human contact
A ferret rescuer described a ferret as having a ‘ zest for life ’, and ‘ every new toy he had , he saw as the most amazing thing ’ [ 12 ]
Vocalisations include dooking (‘ chuckling ’ or ‘ bucking ’). Ferrets can also ‘ bark ’ when there is a level of arousal or excitation [ 11 ]
Normal behaviour in pet ferrets
Veterinary surgeons , veterinary nurses , veterinary technicians and owners who are familiar with normal ferret behaviour are best placed to recognise and assess pain in the species . To assess pain and disease in a ferret , it is imperative that veterinary staff first become familiar with the behaviour of the healthy and pain-free animal [ 8 , 10 ] .
Figure 2 . Healthy ferrets playing . Photo permission : Natasha LaTouche .
Figure 3 . Healthy ferrets playing . Photo permission : Natasha LaTouche .
Normal , healthy , pain-free and well-socialised pet ferrets should have bright , clear eyes and a smooth and shiny coat [ 11 ] and display behaviours such as those outlined in Table 1 and Figures 2 , 3 and 4 .
Figure 4 . Healthy ferrets spend a large proportion of their day asleep and , when comfortable , often sleep in relaxed postures .
18 Veterinary Nursing Journal