Black-footed Ferret
The Black-footed Ferret is a critically endangered mammal native to the grasslands of North America. It is a member of the weasel family, and it is a specialist predator that preys almost exclusively on prairie dogs.
The Black-footed Ferret has a unique relationship with the prairie dog, as it lives in their burrows and relies on them for food.
The Black-footed Ferret was once thought to be extinct, but a small population was discovered in Wyoming in 1981. Thanks to a dedicated captive breeding program, its numbers have been increasing, and it has been reintroduced into several states.
Black-footed Ferret
Classification
Mammalia > Carnivora > Mustelidae > Mustela > M. nigripes
Native To
Conservation Status
Average Height
1.5 feet
(0.4 m)
Average Weight
1.5 - 2.5 lbs
(0.7 - 1.1 kg)
Average Life Span
3 - 4 years
Gestation Period
42 - 45 days
Did You Know?
The Black-footed Ferret is one of North America's most endangered mammals.
They are highly dependent on prairie dogs for both food and shelter, as prairie dog burrows serve as their homes.
Black-footed Ferrets are nocturnal hunters, meaning they are active at night.
They have a distinct black "mask" across their eyes, giving them their name.
Conservation efforts have helped bring them back from near extinction.
A group of ferrets is called a "business."
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