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by humans Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) belong to the family ‘Mustelidae’, which includes otters, stoats, weasels and badgers. Their most likely wild ancestors are the European polecat and the Steppe polecat. They have stubby noses, small furry ears, long, flexible bodies, and short, strong limbs, meaning they’re perfectly equipped to move freely in confined spaces and turn round in narrow tunnels. Unsurprisingly, they adore tunnelling and consider a hole of any size as something that just has to be investigated. Thanks to their slender, elongated body and large vertebrae they can squeeze through places you never thought possible. Having ferrets as pets means that you need to ferret-proof both their home and yours. Because they are domesticated, ferrets need to be cared for by humans and would not be able to survive in the wild. Despite being kept in their own, specially designed ferret accommodation rather than being given the free run of the house (for their own safety so they don’t disappear down holes or chew electric cables!) the range of ferret behaviour and communication actually has more in common with that of dogs and cats than other small furries, as their interrelationships, actions and body language are multiple and complex. The RSPCA advises: “Since no wild counterpart exists, we are still learning about the ferret's natural needs, habitat and behaviours. There is no one 'perfect' way to care for ferrets because every ferret and every situation is different.” Wendy Bament in Vet Times says: “Ferrets are not as nervous of humans as their wild counterparts, the European polecat, and while the polecat is solitary and highly territorial, the ferret is social and enjoys contact. Ferrets quickly become habituated and bonded to their owners. This gregarious nature must be satisfied by owners investing time to interact with their pet and/or keeping them with at least one other ferret. Ferrets love to play and behave like excitable puppies, even initiating tag games where they are chased and perform elaborate leaps, such as the ‘weasel war dance’.” Blue Cross advises: “Ferrets can become friends with other household pets, like dogs and cats, but they should always be supervised if playing together. Even the scent of a ferret can be really stressful for prey species, like rabbits or rodents, so keep them away.” You can also train your ferrets to walk on a lead and harness so they get the chance to explore more of the outside world. However, ferrets are at risk from the same diseases as dogs so need to be vaccinated against canine distemper before you take them walkies. Let’s get down to the serious business of ferrets Pet ferrets can live for five to 15 years, but the average lifespan is between eight and 10 years. Male ferrets are called hobs, and females jills. A neutered female is a sprite and a neutered male is a gib. Baby ferrets (less than one year old) are kits. A group of these intelligent little animals is known as a ‘business of ferrets’. Males can be twice as large as females. Both sexes exhibit seasonal fluctuations of up to 30 to 40% in body weight, as subcutaneous fat is added in the autumn and shed in the spring. Ferrets lack sweat glands in the skin and regulate their body temperature by panting and are susceptible to overheating, particularly in humid conditions. Ferrets have unusual reproductive systems. Female ferrets can become very ill and even die if their reproductive cycle is not controlled by hormone injection, implant or neutering. Coming into heat during the long breeding period of March to September, produces a rush of oestrogen, which reduces their body’s ability to make red blood cells. If the heat is not ended in time, this can lead to anaemia, which can be life-threatening. For male ferrets, neutering will calm aggressive behaviours, remove the drive t