Most of the animals found in the wild are generally quite tough-looking creatures as they adapt to harsh living conditions, but the weasel is not one of them. Weasel has a tiny paint, light weight and cute face. The weasel, which is not a rodent but a mammal, is even more interesting that although it is so small, it is a carnivorous creature.
Weasel is the general name of small mammals belonging to the genus Mustela of the family Mustelidae. For this reason, it is possible to encounter ferrets belonging to different subspecies all over the world, including our country. Let’s take a look at the interesting information you will hear for the first time about these creatures, some of which can live in the driest lands and some even in the snow, and let’s try to get to know the weasel a little more closely.
Interesting facts about the ferret, some of which you will hear for the first time:
- Weasel is the smallest carnivorous creature in the world.
- There are many different subspecies of ferrets.
- Ferrets are nocturnal creatures and have to eat constantly.
- They can give birth to dozens of cubs in a year.
- Beneath the cute images of the ferrets lies a professional killer.
- Their war dance can kill their prey out of fear.
- The fur of some ferrets glows purple.
- Except for some species, the ferret population is at its most active period.
Weasel is the smallest carnivorous creature in the world:
Although there are many different subspecies living in many different parts of the world, a creature belonging to the weasel class can have a maximum weight of 340 grams and a maximum length of 41 cm. The smallest weasel species, called Mustela nivalis, weighs around 71 grams and is only 20 cm long. Due to these structural features, we can say with certainty that the weasel is the smallest carnivorous creature in the world.
There are many different subspecies of ferrets:
- african ferret
- colombian weasel
- Eurasian mink
- Indonesian ferret
- Malayan ferret
- Siberian ferret
- black striped weasel
- ferret
- Stoat
- long-tailed ferret
- yellow-bellied weasel
- common weasel
- steppe ferret
- black-footed ferret
- ferret
- sea mink
- american mink
Here are some of the weasel species seen in different parts of the world. It is estimated that the sea mink became extinct in 1894 due to hunting. Among these species, ermine, common weasel and ferret are common in our country. Their back is generally reddish brown, and their belly feathers are white. You can encounter other species all over North America, Asia, Europe and even Africa.
Ferrets are nocturnal creatures and have to eat constantly:
Probably nocturnal must be the secret behind such small carnivorous creatures’ successful survival. Ferrets sleep during the day and go hunting at night. They hunt all small creatures they can hunt, such as rats, mice, voles, rabbits, frogs, birds, eggs. Ferrets have to eat constantly because they cannot store fat due to their body structure. This means they must eat 60 percent of their body weight each day. So, if a weasel can’t hunt that day, it’s easy to die.
They can give birth to dozens of cubs in a year:
Although it varies according to the geography they live in, ferrets generally mate in the spring and summer months. The average gestation period is 45 days. Up to 9 puppies can be born at one birth. A female ferret can give birth at least 3 times a year. The cubs are taken care of by the mother, but the father can hunt and bring food to the nest. Despite being such small creatures, weasels are solitary creatures outside the breeding season. They guard their territory and even release a skunk-like scent.
Beneath the cute images of the ferrets lies a professional killer:
It’s a pity, actually, like all animals in nature, they try to survive and they have to eat half their weight every day, so they have to be hunted constantly, but it’s a little creepy that their way of killing is too professional for their cute faces. Weasel catches its prey, wraps it with its long body and bites once on the neck. That bite is so strong that the prey’s spinal cord ruptures and it dies on the spot. It was a painless death for sure, but still creepy.
Their war dance can frighten their prey to death:
Ferrets do a kind of war dance, as do many such carnivorous mammals. When they see their prey, they suddenly appear in front of it and start a war dance to snatch it aside. So much so that some of the rabbit species have been seen to die of fear due to the frightening of this dance. Since weasels are protective creatures, they also do this dance when a different individual enters their territory. We think that this dance is also a recreational activity for them because they have been seen doing this dance for no apparent reason.
The fur of some ferrets shines in purple:
The fur of the weasel species, which was once called mink in the United States, was one of the most valuable commercial commodities. The fur of one of the three species living in the state of Pennsylvania at the time was unbelievable, but under ultraviolet light it glowed a mixture of purple and magenta. Unfortunately, this interesting feature ended the breed because, among the wealthy, this fur turned into a kind of status indicator, and hunters began to hunt all ferrets that came their way.
Except for some species, the ferret population is at its most active:
The weasel population had come to the point of extinction for a while because of the hunting of people, who are the only creatures in nature that kill for pleasure. Fortunately, this has changed over the years, and ferrets are currently not on the verge of extinction, according to the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. Ferret, Japanese weasel and Colombian weasel species are endangered due to deforestation in their habitats.
There is an interesting detail on the subject. The ferrets found in New Zealand are the least threatened, according to experts. Interestingly, however, these ferrets are also considered an invasive species. The country’s authorities plan to eradicate it all by 2050, as this invasive species harms local wildlife. In other words, the region where the ferret population is most abundant has also become the region where these creatures are under the greatest threat.
We tried to get to know these extraordinary creatures better by mentioning some of the most interesting information you have heard about ferrets, which are carnivorous despite their tiny stature and cute faces. You can share your thoughts on the subject in the comments.
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