Wild Ferret

snake · #1 (**permalink**) 17-05-2009, 09:05 AM

I found this little fella yesterday morning working his way along a rabbit earth.
From the look of the puncture holes on his back, I guess he has been in battle with a dog or a fox.

FUDGEY · #2 (**permalink**) 17-05-2009, 10:10 AM

Poor wee thing. I once found one that could hardly see as it had 100s of tics on it's head. I took it to a mate who got them removed and kept it himself.

Rob_D · #3 (**permalink**) 17-05-2009, 11:39 AM

Nice shots as always Snake. How well do escaped ferrets survive in the wild? Obviously they are domesticated animals and I understood that their unnatural behaviour puts them at some disadvantge trying to survive on their own when compared to a wild Polecat. Ferrets are bred not to kill rabbits when underground aren't they?

Phoebe · #4 (**permalink**) 17-05-2009, 11:52 AM

Hi Snake, what happened to the ferret? Was it approachable/tame? Could you let me know where about it was, someone has possibly lost it. I have connections with rescue centres nationwide. If you want to pm me any details I will find out if any have been lost in that area. In fact I will check now for any lost ferrets and post back if I find anything.

The poor thing, if it's a female she possibly won't survive too long unless she finds a male! It's mating season and if a 'jill' (female) does not mate she can get a hormone imbalance which could kill her.

EDIT: This is an Albino ferret and one has been lost in Chesterfield.

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 17-05-2009, 12:04 PM

Awww bless it the poor thing...
Looks like its in need of help with those injuries I doubt it will last out on its own..

great shots snake..

Interesting Phoebe..

snake · #6 (**permalink**) 17-05-2009, 01:05 PM

There are a number of wild ferrets on my patch, I see them on a regular basis and they have been here for many years. We have a large number of rabbits which gives them an easy food source, they are at no disadvantage and are quite capable of surviving without any problems.
The only way to stop a ferret from making a kill underground would be to put a muzzle on it so with all the young rabbits being born at this time of the year they are quite well fed.
None of them are easily approached but if you sit upwind of them, stay still enough for long enough, they sometimes work along the earth and get fairly close to you.
This chap was working the earth without any problems and is clearly getting over his injuries.
I am sure if it needs a mate it would have no problem in finding one.

Kayleigh · #7 (**permalink**) 17-05-2009, 02:04 PM

Thanks snake I didn't realise there was a colony lol..
Suppose it like mink the can live free and survive if there is enough of them and the food is plentiful.

What impact on wildlife would they pose apart from keeping a few of the rabbit population down..

Dogghound · #8 (**permalink**) 18-05-2009, 07:53 AM

I guess large feral ferret populations are not great news for polecats as inbreeding will occur. They will feed on other wildlife such as rodents, amphibians and birds.