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===Characteristics===
[[File:Mustela putorius furo profile.JPG|thumb|Ferret profile]]
Ferrets have a typical mustelid body-shape, being long and slender. Their average length is about {{cvt|50|cm}} including a {{cvt|13|cm}} tail. Their [[pelage]] has various colorations including brown, black, white or mixed. They weigh between {{cvt|0.7|and|2.0|kg}} and are [[sexually dimorphic]] as the males are substantially larger than females. The average [[gestation]] period is 42 days and females may have two or three [[Litter (zoology)|litters]] each year. The litter size is usually between three and seven kits which are weaned after three to six weeks and become independent at three months. They become sexually mature at approximately 6 months and the average life span is 7 to 10 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://njvma.org/all-about-ferrets/ |publisher=New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association |title=All about ferrets |access-date=January 15, 2015 |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330121138/https://njvma.org/all-about-ferrets/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/animal-domestic-ferret.php |access-date=January 15, 2015 |title=Domestic ferret |publisher=Elmwood Park Zoo |archive-date=March 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303072928/http://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/animal-domestic-ferret.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Ferrets are [[induced ovulation (animals)|induced ovulators]]
===Behavior===
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Ferrets spend 14–18 hours a day asleep and are most active around the hours of dawn and dusk, meaning they are [[crepuscular]].<ref name="Anon">{{cite web|url=http://www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/ferrets/|title=Ferrets|publisher=Pet Health Information|access-date=29 January 2010|archive-date=3 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203230129/http://pethealthinfo.org.uk/ferrets/|url-status=dead}}</ref> If they are caged, they should be taken out daily to exercise and satisfy their curiosity; they need at least an hour and a place to play.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ferretbiting.com/ferret-as-pet-care-guide/|title=Ferret as pet care guide|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=2 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102171147/http://ferretbiting.com/ferret-as-pet-care-guide/|url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike their polecat ancestors, which are solitary animals, most ferrets will live happily in social groups. They are territorial, like to burrow, and prefer to sleep in an enclosed area.<ref name="Brown">{{cite web|url=http://www.weaselwords.com/page/ferret_art036.php|title=Inherited behavior traits of the domesticated ferret|last=Brown|first=Susan, A|date=17 January 2010|website=Weaselwords.com|access-date=29 January 2010|archive-date=4 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004091445/http://www.weaselwords.com/page/ferret_art036.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
Like many other mustelids, ferrets have scent glands near their anus, the secretions from which are used in [[Spraying (animal behavior)|scent marking]]. Ferrets can recognize individuals from these anal gland secretions, as well as the sex of unfamiliar individuals.<ref name="Clapperton1988">{{cite journal |vauthors=Clapperton BK, Minot EO, Crump DR |title=An Olfactory Recognition System in the Ferret Mustela furo L. (Carnivora: Mustelidae) |journal=Animal Behaviour |volume=36 |issue=2 |pages=541–553 |date=April 1988 |doi=10.1016/S0003-3472(88)80025-3|s2cid=53197938 }}</ref> Ferrets may also use urine marking for [[
As with [[skunks]], ferrets can release their [[anal gland]] secretions when startled or scared, but the smell is much less potent and dissipates rapidly. Most pet ferrets in the US are sold descented (with the anal glands removed).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Mitchell|first1=Mark A.|last2=Tully|first2=Thomas N.|title=Manual of exotic pet practice|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JMTUKwzPEvwC&pg=PA372|year=2009|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-1-4160-0119-5|page=372|access-date=2016-07-29|archive-date=2014-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112053059/http://books.google.com/books?id=JMTUKwzPEvwC&pg=PA372|url-status=live}}</ref> In many other parts of the world, including the UK and other European countries, de-scenting is considered an [[Overview of discretionary invasive procedures on animals|unnecessary mutilation]].
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