Ferret Biology
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| Ferret. Photo - Grant Morriss |
- Where are ferrets found?
- What do ferrets eat?
- How do ferrets behave?
- What is their breeding and development?
- How long do ferrets live
- Ferret biology at a glance
Where are ferrets found?
Ferrets live in pasture, rough grassland and scrubland, and
on the fringes
of forests.
What do ferrets eat?
Ferrets primarily
prey on rabbits, but they also
eat hares,
possums, birds, eggs, lizards, hedgehogs, frogs, eels and various invertebrates.
Ferret diet varies with season and food availability, and male ferrets
eat more rabbits than
do females. When rabbit numbers are lowered with a
control programme, ferrets are capable of changing their diet to other
species.
How do ferrets behave?
Ferrets are largely nocturnal, so are not often seen in the wild. Ferret home ranges in the high country average 80 ha whereas in the lowlands, male ranges average 30 ha and females ranges 12 ha. Ferrets are also strong swimmers so waterways cannot be regarded as barriers. Social relationships are maintained by body odours and scent marks. After a rabbit control programme, adults with established territories do not usually disperse but they may expand their home ranges and cover a wider area in search of food. This causes concern about the potential spread of Tb.
What is their breeding and development?
Mating during August and September is vigorous, noisy and prolonged. The gestation period is about 42 days. The first litter (usually 4-8 kittens) is born in October or November. Rarely, females may mate again and have a second litter in the same season. The kittens eat meat brought to the den by the mother. At 50 days they are weaned, and at 3 months of age they disperse away from the home territory. Large influxes of juveniles are often observed in late summer/autumn.
How long do ferrets live?
Adult ferrets live for about 2-4 years in the wild.
Ferret Biology at a glance
| Male weight | 1000-2000 g | |
| Female weight | 600-900 g | |
| Life span | 2-4 years | |
| Sexual maturity | 8-12 months (Onset of oestrus with increasing day length) |
|
| Gestation | 42 days ± 2 days | |
| Litter size | 4-8 av. (range 1-18) | |
| Weaning | 6-8 weeks (50 days) | |
| Adult weight reached | 16 weeks | |
| Seasonal body weight fluctuation | 30 - 40% of body weight | |
| Home range | In the high country: Males: 100-120 ha. Females: 80-100 ha. |
In lowland areas: Males 30 ha. Females: 12 ha. |
