Originally, ferrets may have been bred for the poaching of rabbits in the United Kingdom. For this purpose Albino ferrets may have been more sought after as white is easier to see at night. This is the reason for the Albinism in ferrets, and contrary to what we find in many other species, it is considered a normal colour, rather than unusual.
Although ferrets were used for hunting they were trained to not kill, because they would have ruined the skin of the rabbits that could be tanned. As a result of this, we now have a pet with one of the most acute hunting instincts of any animal.
Ferrets were domesticated by at least 4 centuries B.C. and by then had lost all their wild instincts and their ability to survive in nature. If a ferret escapes from your home, it can survive for only three to five days. It will probably die of dehydration or hunger, or be killed by a predator.
Ferrets are classified as exotic animals but in my opinion this is wrong, because inherent in the concept of an exotic animal is that it belongs to a species that can also be found in the wild. Ferrets are "pets" like cats and dogs. Ferrets are even more domesticated than cats and dogs. Cats and dogs have a fair chance of surviving in the wild whereas ferrets do not.
So please, do not release your unwanted ferret into the wild thinking it will be OK, it won't, it will die.
About the Author
Paul is a small pet enthusiast who writes articles about keeping pets as a hobby. Visit Ferrets as Pets for more information about keeping ferrets as pets
