Domestic ferret: what it looks like and types of colors, a description of the 7 best breeds

Despite their attractive appearance, wild ferrets have an aggressive disposition. This is explained by the fact that the animal belongs to the category of predators. Today, however, keeping ferrets at home is gaining popularity. This is partly due to the breeding of a special breed of ferrets known as ferrets. These pets are less aggressive and more trainable.

Description of the animal

Like other representatives of the weasel family, the ferret has an elongated and squat body. Thanks to this structure, the animal is able to penetrate holes, stealing eggs. Ferrets are characterized by the following features:

average body length does not exceed 50 centimeters;
depending on the type, the weight varies from 300 grams to two kilograms;
strong paws and elongated claws;
long neck crowned with an oval head;
The length of the tail reaches 20 centimeters.

The popularity of ferrets is partly due to the fact that the animals have thick and fluffy fur, the color of which can change depending on the season.

When getting such a pet, you need to take into account that there are special glands near the tail that secrete a liquid with an unpleasant odor that scares off enemies. At home, as noted above, they contain a special subspecies known as ferrets. Representatives of this species look like forest ferrets. The external similarity is due to the fact that the latter were the progenitors of ferrets.

At home, ferrets live up to seven years. It is impossible to keep such pets together with rabbits, rodents, birds and chinchillas. Frets perceive these animals as prey.

Variety of colors

Depending on the region of residence, the coat color of ferrets varies from light (white) to dark (black) shades. This diversity is due to the evolutionary development of the animal. The color of the coat "adjusts" to the characteristics of the area in which the ferret lives.

Albino

Albinos (or furo) come from forest animals. The hair on the body of these ferrets is white, but sometimes there are blotches of cream shades. The nose of the furo is pink and the eyes are red. This species is rarely found in the wild.

White ferret

White ferrets look like albinos. But this species has black or blue eyes. Despite the fact that these pets often suffer from deafness due to a genetic predisposition, white ferrets remain in demand among breeders.

Blaze

Representatives of this species are distinguished by a variety of colors. A distinctive feature of these pets is a white stripe running from the nose and along the neck. On the front paws there are "mittens" similar in color.

Champagne

This variety is characterized by a shade of milk chocolate. But the underfur is cast in white or light golden color. As you move towards the tail and limbs, the hair color gradually darkens. Eye color also changes from black to pink.

Cinnamon

Cinnamom (cinnamon) - a rare brown-copper color, because of which ferrets with this coat are very popular among breeders. As in the previous case, the hair darkens as you move towards the tail.The eyes of cinnamon are black or burgundy, and the underfur is cream or beige.

Cinnamon with marks

This variety differs from the previous one in the presence of white spots on the limbs.

Dalmatians

This type of ferret is characterized by the presence of white hair, which is “diluted” with black spots on the head and body. The nose of these animals is pink. But inclusions of black spots are possible.

Chocolate color

Chocolate-colored ferrets look like sables. However, the first undercoat has a beige or wheaten hue. There is a T-shaped pattern on the nose of the ferrets, the eyes are black, and the muzzle is closed by a pronounced mask. Coat color darkens on tail and limbs.

Chocolate with marks

This variety differs from the previous one by the presence of white "mittens" on the limbs.

Black color

This color is known as black solid. Ferrets with such hair are distinguished by black outer hair, the shade of which practically does not change throughout the body and head. The nose and eyes are similarly colored.

Silver color

The down of such animals is pale beige or white. But the coat is distinguished by an ash-gray color. Ferrets with such a skin are valued among breeders. The features of pets also include white "mittens" on the paws and a pink nose.

Gold color

The hair of this species of animals varies from white at the base, to a yellow or orange down and a brown or black ending. The nose and eyes of the animal are black.

Classification by type of wool

Depending on the type of coat, the following varieties of domestic ferrets are distinguished:

Angora. It is characterized by long hair with hairs up to 12 centimeters. Male Angoras have fluffier fur than females. Externally, these animals also stand out due to twisted nostrils.
Half-angora. On the back of this species grow 5 cm hairs.
Normal haired. The length of the hair does not exceed 3.5 centimeters. At the same time, this variety has a thick and dense underfur.

Sable-coloured ferrets are popular among breeders.Also, increased demand is observed in a variety called panda. This name was given due to the fact that the head of the animals, the tips of the paws, shoulders and chest are white. However, panda ferrets, like a number of other artificially bred pets, suffer from genetically determined deafness.

Among breeders, gradation is applied according to the type of markings on the coat. The color of the spots in this case varies widely. But only mother-of-pearl ferrets have gray markings.

Ferret breeds

Wild ferrets are usually grouped into three large groups. However, researchers identify 7 breeds of these animals.

Steppe view

Pros and consbody weight reaches two kilograms;body length from nose to tail does not exceed 60 centimeters;long axial hair;dense undercoat.large offspring (up to 18 puppies);the basis of the diet is made up of snakes, pikas, ground squirrels, frogs.

Both disadvantages complicate the maintenance of the steppe species in captivity.

Far East

The Far Eastern species is characterized by similar size and body weight to the steppe.

Pros and consvarious colors (mask-like pattern on the muzzle, light belly, black tip of the tail);active;subject to training.show aggression towards relatives;protect their territory;can bite people even during the game.

This breed lives in the wild in the Far East of Russia, which is why it got its name.