By Haley
Welcome to theUltimate Beginner’s Guide to Ferrets! This isChapter 3: Basic Ferret Facts
If you already have a solid understanding of unique ferret anatomy, you can skip toChapter 4(though I’d recommend doing a quick scroll to see a giant ferret).
For everyone else, this chapter will help you learn some very important facts about ferrets.
How Big Do Ferrets Get?
Ferrets vary greatly in size and weight depending upon breeding,gender, and whether or not they are altered (neutered/fixed).
Females can weigh anywhere from 1lb to 3.5lb when they arefixed. Including the tail, females usually measure around 18 inches long.
Neutered male ferrets weigh 2lb to 3.5lbs. Unaltered (notneutered) males can weigh up to 6lbs (!). Including the tail, males can measureup to 22 inches long.
Fun Fact: Ferrets are known to put on some extra weight in the winter, which many of us ferret owners affectionately refer to as ‘winter chub’. According to Ferrets for Dummies, some ferrets will gain up to 40% of their weight in the winter (and then lose it in the Spring).
That’s Not My Belly Button…
To somebody new to ferrets, it may be a little confusing totell whether you are holding a male or a female. One of the most commonmistakes a new owner can make is misidentifying their ferret’s gender.
Most ferrets are fixed or neutered before they are sent tothe pet store, so there are usually no obvious anatomical signs such as prominenttesticl*s.
Not to worry! You can still determine the gender of a ferretby taking a look at their underside -specifically the lower belly area.
You will notice in the illustration above, female ferrets(left) have no ‘belly button’ between their nipples, whereas male ferrets (right)have a noticeable (but tiny) ‘belly button’ between their nipples.
The truth is, that ‘belly button’ is actually your male ferret’spenis and it’s the easiest way to determine if your ferret is male or female.
***IMPORTANT: You will also notice in the illustration above that both male and female ferrets have nipples so don’t be fooled!
How Long Do Ferrets Live?
In our opinion, not nearly long enough! The truth is that aferret’s lifespan can vary greatly depending upon genetics, diet, andlifestyle.
A typical ferret from Petco or any large pet retailer usually lives anywhere from 5-7 years. Unfortunately, improper diet and breeding practices have caused ferrets to suffer from an incredibly high incidence of diseases such as Insulinoma, Adrenal Disease, and many others. These illnesses can severely shorten the life of a ferret.
A privately bred ferret can live up to 12 years old, provided they have strong genetics and are cared for properly.
Did these Basic Ferret Facts surprise you? You’re not alone!
Are ferrets actually smarter than dogs? Find out in Chapter 4.
Want to Jump to Another Section?
Chapter 1:What is a Ferret?
Chapter 2:What Do Ferrets Eat?
Chapter 3:Anatomy and Lifespan of a Ferret
Chapter 4:How Smart are Ferrets?
Chapter 5:Top Ferret Myths
Chapter6:The Real Costs of Owning a Ferret
