FERRETS & POLECATS etc.

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Ferrets are members of the family  "MUSTELA" ("MUSTILIDS") and include the Pine Martin, Stoat (Mustela erminea), Weasel (Mustela nivalis), Mink (Mustela vison [Nth America] & Mustela intreola [Europe] ) and Otter.  A 'true' ferret (Mustela putorius) is white in colour with pink eyes. The 'Polecat' - same latin name as ferret - can be a variety of shades of brown with white patches and usually has a 'bandits mask' over the eyes. The eyes of a Polecat ferret are normally brown.  A male is correctly known as a HOB (sometimes DOG) and a female as a JILL (sometimes BITCH or FITCH). The mother should not be disturbed when she has very young 'Kittens' or she will kill them. When the young can be seen leaving the nest to play - when their eyes are open - the 'Kits' should be handled daily to stop them biting. When handled they will try to bite but to stop them it is as well to force your finger knuckle into their mouth opening it as wide as safely possible. They will struggle when you do this and will soon learn not to bite - at this age the teeth are rather small and do not do a lot of damage. By handling them around their mouths they will get used to your scent and know not to bite. One of my JILLS once went to bite me at feeding time because she could smell the food on my fingers. As soon as her mouth started to close around my finger she realized her mistake and stopped. NEVER pull your finger away - it makes the 'bite' worse! If you haven't guessed - they are MEAT EATERS!

Ferrets and Polecats are used by falconers - Austringers - to push rabbits out of the warren for the hawk to chase and - hopefully - catch. The speed of a rabbit bolting from the hole has to be seen to be believed and the hawk has to be brought to the stage were she/he realises that the ferret is a partner in the hunt and not a funny looking rabbit. It helps (but doesn't always stop the bird) if the ferrets hutch is within sight of the hawks weather/mews area. Rabbits can also be 'devious'. I have seen then quietly sneak out of one hole, slowly amble off into the undergrowth and disappear.

NEVER "SNATCH" a ferret up from the ground as it comes out of the hole, train it to encourage it to come towards you and ALWAYS PICK IT UP GENTLY. If you "SNATCH" (GRAB) it, it will soon learn to mistrust you, object to this treatment and keep going back down the hole making it difficult for you to get it out - so wasting valuable hawking time.

The "Black Footed Ferret" was a successful re-introduction into the wild in America and was the subject of a TV programme..

More Photos etc. to appear later - if you have any suitable and would like them placed here PLEASE CONTACT ME

There are literally thousands of ferret pages listed on the net - just do a Google search. If YOU know of any good pages then please email me and I will link to that page; PLEASE CONTACT ME

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