Ferrets rely heavily on prairie dogs not only for their homes, but also for food. Prairie dogs make up a whopping 90% of a Black-Footed Ferret's diet (with the remaining 10% made up of prey like squirrels, mice, and other rodents). One ferret eats a prairie dog about every three days.
Does the black-footed ferret eat meat?
Black footed ferrets are also known to eat ground squirrels, small rodents, rabbits and birds . ... Its large skull and strong jaw and teeth are adapted for eating meat. Black footed ferrets cache or store their food so that they can avoid going out of their burrows as far as possible.
What do black footed ferrets mostly eat?
One ferret may eat over 100 prairie dogs in a year, and scientists calculate that one ferret family needs more than 250 prairie dogs each year. The remainder of their diet includes mice, rats, ground squirrels, rabbits, birds and occasionally reptiles and insects .
What is killing the black-footed ferret?
Habitat loss and the widespread shooting and poisoning of prairie dogs , a herbivorous rodent that makes up more than 90% of the ferret's diet, are both threats to the black-footed ferret.
Do black footed ferrets eat rabbits?
Black-footed ferrets are also known to eat ground squirrels, small rodents, rabbits and birds.
What are some fun facts about black-footed ferrets?
Black-footed ferrets are long, slender animals , enabling them to easily move through prairie dog burrows. They weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds and can grow up to 24 inches long. A strip of dark fur across their eyes gives them the appearance of wearing a mask.
Do foxes eat black-footed ferrets?
Predators. Although black-footed ferrets are capable predators in their own right, they are prey to some other animals . Some of the animals that regularly prey on these ferrets include coyotes, golden eagles, owls, bobcats and foxes, to name a few.
Why do we need black footed ferrets?
The ferrets are key indicators of healthy ecosystems as they help manage prairie dog populations . The ferrets themselves are a food source for larger predators like owls, coyote and badgers. They are important members of the ecosystem both as predators and prey on the prairie.
What is causing the black footed ferret to be endangered?
Habitat loss and non-native disease threaten the recovery of the black-footed ferret. The ferret is entirely dependent on the presence of prairie dogs and their colonies for food, shelter and raising young.
Can I own a black-footed ferret?
A black-footed ferret is secretive, nocturnal, and solitary. Black-footed ferrets are the only native species of ferrets native to North America. The domestic ferrets that you find in pet stores are of European origin and have been domesticated for hundreds of years.
Who are ferrets enemies?
Predators such as owls, eagles, hawks, Coyotes, badgers, foxes, and Bobcats are the main cause of death for wild ferrets. Black-footed Ferrets are endangered because much of the shortgrass prairie habitat on which the ferrets depend has been plowed for crops.
What human food can ferrets eat?
Good treats for ferrets include cooked egg, cat treats , and bits of chicken, turkey, or lamb. Meanwhile, you should avoid giving your ferret any grains, vegetables, ice cream, or chocolate.
Do snakes eat ferrets?
Ferrets are NOT rodents. Their natural prey is actually mice as well, they're obligate carnivores. Not to mention their very distinct smell. All those factors mean that a snake would probably never even consider going near a ferret, let alone try to eat one, unless maybe it was starved.
What can ferrets not eat?
Ferrets do enjoy sweets, dairy products, raisins, fruits, and vegetables , but these foods should be avoided, as they may produce diarrhea and erratic swings in blood sugar. A piece of cooked meat or some meat baby food is fine as an occasional treat. “Chocolate can be fatal to ferrets.”
