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The European ferret is in the class of mammals. It is found mainly in Europe, but can be found also in parts of Asia. The European ferret is about 15" to 19" long total, with a tail that is 5-7" long. Its colors vary. These animals are slender and weigh 3-5 pounds. Their hind legs are elevated above their head and tail. The lifespan of this animal is up to fourteen years. A female is called a jill. European ferrets squeak to each other. They also growl when they are angry or playful. They feed mainly from chicken coops and rabbit hutches. They also eat mice, rats, and voles. The European ferret does not hibernate or migrate because its body temperature does not drop enough for its body to slow down to enter the stage of hibernation. It lives with other ferrets in small groups, and also hunts together. After a gestation period of six weeks, the female gives birth to anywhere from two to twelve young, who are born blind and remain so for about twenty days. The European ferret usually breeds twice a year. |
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While we were at the Utica Zoo, the European ferrets were running around as if they were trying to escape from the platform on which they were placed. They were very active. |
European ferrets live underground. They burrow down to build a den. In their dens, they set aside a special storage room where they keep any extra food that they may have. |
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The European ferret releases an objectionable odor from its anal glands to protect itself when it is frightened or attacked. It also burrows down into the ground to build a den. These animals also set aside a separate storage area where they keep any extra food that they may have. |
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Farmers are always hunting down the European ferrets because they break into chicken coops and kill all of the farmers' chickens. |
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Goodwin, George G., "Polecat." Collier's Encyclopedia. 1992, ed. Gump, Donald J., ed. National Geographic Book of Mammals. Washington, DC: National Geographic Society, 1981. "Polecat." Encyclopedia Americana. 1993, ed. |