Description ferret breed American Blackfoot
The Red Book is full of various species of animals that are on the verge of extinction or disappeared altogether. Among them is the American Blackfoot Ferret. This animal belongs to the weasel family and, due to the fault of poachers, has practically disappeared from the mainland. Thanks to the efforts of livestock breeders and local historians, Black-footed ferrets are gradually recovering their population.
Characteristics of the American Blackfoot ferret
This is a very unusual animal, both in color and in habits. Its habitat and historical homeland is North America, where they are now actively grown. After being listed in the Red Book, ferrets were actively protected, and now any hunt for these animals is strictly punishable by law.
Description of American Blackfoot ferrets
The description of this type of trore is worth special attention, because this breed has remarkable features.
Distinctive features of Blackfoot ferrets:
- The ferret has a long, elongated body and neck, short and thick legs.
- The color of the fur of such animals is yellow-brown, darker on the back, and generally turns into black towards the tail and paws (hence the name Black-footed American Ferret).
- A distinctive feature of this particular breed of trochee is the so-called mask around the eyes (the color of the hair around the eyes of such animals is black).
- Ferrets of this type have large, rounded eyes that stand out on a white muzzle, where a black nose is also visible.
- The shape of the claws is pointed and slightly curved.
- The average weight of a female is in the range of 650 to 850 g, and the male can reach a weight of 1200 g.
- According to average indicators, the length of the body in the described troreas is equal to 350-600 cm, and according to statistics, the female is always 10% less than the male of this breed.
The appearance of American Blackfoot ferrets
Such an expressive appearance does not leave almost anyone indifferent, which is why hunters value the skins of such animals, although it is important to remember that now the Red Book contains the name American Black-footed Ferret, which automatically prohibits any activity aimed at depopulating the species.
American Blackfoot ferrets can be seen in nature reserves in North America. Or, if there is no opportunity to visit another continent, anyone can easily admire the photo of the Black-Footed Ferret on the Internet.
Habitat
The black-footed ferret is an animal that was quite common until the beginning of the last century. The historical habitat of the animals is the territory stretching from the south of Canada to the north of Mexico. For North America, this species is the only indigenous representative. Today, a tourist can observe the described ferrets only in 3 territorial limits in the northeast of Montana, in the western part of South Dakota and in the southeast of the state. Wyoming. In addition to natural habitats, people can also contemplate how the American ferret behaves in a zoo or reserve. In places of natural settlement, the population was restored.The recovery continues to this day.
Knowing the range of these animals, it is quite simple to guess about the conditions of their residence:
- Steppe and hilly terrain in the vastness of North America.
- An abandoned burrow left by a prairie dog often becomes a haven for American ferrets (in such burrows it is easier for animals to make tunnels and hide from hunting).
- To get food, one representative of such a breed, according to average indications, requires a lot of space: within 40-45 hectares.
- Females with offspring need even more space to survive: up to 55 hectares.
- One male can introduce several females into the range at once.
The black-footed ferret is a freedom-loving creature that requires a large amount of free space for a normal existence. Such animals do not tolerate restrictions and even in zoos they always get a large territory.
The life of such animals is no less interesting: the way of life that they lead should be worthy of special attention. The attitude towards the weasel family has left its mark on the habits and habits of ferrets.
Lifestyle and nutrition
The American ferret is predominantly nocturnal. This is a predatory animal, the activity of which occurs at night. Having a good sense of smell and even sharper hearing, representatives of this breed can easily orient themselves without sunlight. The black coat allows them to be less visible.
During the hunt, representatives of this species climb into the holes of their victims (small rodents), where they deal with their prey, and then settle for a while. They are fast and agile, thanks to the structure of their little body.
The black-footed ferret is a lonely animal. He does not try to get into the flock and only during the breeding season creates a pair.
American Blackfoot Ferrets Lifestyle
For all these qualities, the American Ferret is a friendly and non-aggressive animal towards representatives of its species.
The diet for such animals consists of a large number of options:
- small rodents hiding in burrows;
- large insects;
- small birds, etc.
These animals, cute at first glance, are still predators. According to the statistics of livestock breeders, one black-footed ferret consumes about 100 prairie dogs during the year. In the reserves, they are specially fed, and the young are fed with milk. In the 80s of the last century, all the animals kept in captivity were released into a free habitat in order to restore the population and save the species from extinction.
Conclusion
The American ferret is a rare animal, but beautiful and unusual. The fact that it is included in the Red Book only gives this breed an aura of mystery and makes it even more interesting for those around and tourists.
If there is an opportunity, then it is definitely worth watching such ferrets, because, in addition to all external indicators, they are unusually cute, and the black hair will forever remain in the memory of observers.