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Ferret Facts

Typical Life Span
5 – 8 years (over 10 years is sadly very rare)
Gestation
42 days
Average Litter Size
8 (1- 18 possible range)
Hearing
Born deaf. Begin to hear at around 34 days.
Sight
Born with eyes closed. Eyes begin to open at around 34 days.
Weaning
6 – 8 weeks
Teeth
Baby teeth erupt at 14 days. Adult teeth appear at 47 days… those
choppers are full size at 70 days!
Color at Birth
All kits are born white, approximate adult color at 3 weeks of age.
Sexual Maturity
Reached at 5 to 6 months of age.
Breeding Season
December to August (assuming normal lighting conditions) Abnormal lighting
conditions which can change the ferrets breeding season. Note: This is
how we get Christmas weasels!
Normal Heart Rate
200 – 250 Beats Per Minute
Body Temperature
Fahrenheit 100 – 103, Centigrade: 37.8 – 39.4
Respiration
33-36/min
Weight (Female)
1.5 – 2.25lbs {.75 – 2.5lbs}
Weight (Male)
1.75 – 6 lbs {2 – 5 lbs}
Total Length
Female: 18 inches, Male: 24 inches (including tail)
Scientific Classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Carnivora
  • Family: Mustelidae
  • Genus: Mustela
  • Species: Mustela putorius furo