True ferrets are domesticated, but there are known instances where feral ferret or ferret-hybrid populations have caused problems (they can interbreed with some species of polecat). The Black-footed ferret isn’t a true ferret, but it’s endangered, and one of the reasons domestic ferrets are illegal in California is the fear that, if they got loose, they’d displace the native Black-foots.
Part of what devastated the blackfooted ferrets was distemper of the kind that pets can be vaccinated against. I don’t know what kind of shots ferrets are supposed to have, but this might be a factor too.
Domestic ferrets have been in North America for 300 years, but there are no feral colonies anywhere. I’m not aware of any black footed ferret colonies in California.
^ Not anymore, certainly. Their current range is only in a few places in the Western Plains, where they’ve been reintroduced after 1986 (there were no black-foots left in the wild at all prior to that date). I haven’t found specific information about their historical range, though (I only searched briefly). It’s entirely possible that they were unknown west of the Rockies. So my reference to “native black-foots” is retracted, with apologies.
I’m not trying to JUSTIFY California’s ban on keeping ferrets as pets. Personally, I like ‘em. I also wish we could keep hedgehogs here. The reason they give for banning them (both) is the possibility of environmental impact should they escape and breed.
johncosmo13 over 13 years ago
I think number 2 sounds the best, but why don’t you just make it “I ran out into traffic to save a baby.” Babies top all.
DrChiBob over 13 years ago
I ran into traffic because my cell phone whispered in my ear that it was ok
davanden over 13 years ago
Hey! You don’t need any special justification to to rescue a ferret. Any ferret outside on its own would be totally lost and in a lot of trouble.
emmaregina over 13 years ago
Lots of people think ferrets are wild animals but they are not, They are as domesticated as dogs and cats.
Iwa Iniki over 13 years ago
…..and someday a Lemming will fly!
fritzoid Premium Member over 13 years ago
True ferrets are domesticated, but there are known instances where feral ferret or ferret-hybrid populations have caused problems (they can interbreed with some species of polecat). The Black-footed ferret isn’t a true ferret, but it’s endangered, and one of the reasons domestic ferrets are illegal in California is the fear that, if they got loose, they’d displace the native Black-foots.
Mary McNeil Premium Member over 13 years ago
Part of what devastated the blackfooted ferrets was distemper of the kind that pets can be vaccinated against. I don’t know what kind of shots ferrets are supposed to have, but this might be a factor too.
davanden over 13 years ago
Domestic ferrets have been in North America for 300 years, but there are no feral colonies anywhere. I’m not aware of any black footed ferret colonies in California.
fritzoid Premium Member over 13 years ago
^ Not anymore, certainly. Their current range is only in a few places in the Western Plains, where they’ve been reintroduced after 1986 (there were no black-foots left in the wild at all prior to that date). I haven’t found specific information about their historical range, though (I only searched briefly). It’s entirely possible that they were unknown west of the Rockies. So my reference to “native black-foots” is retracted, with apologies.
I’m not trying to JUSTIFY California’s ban on keeping ferrets as pets. Personally, I like ‘em. I also wish we could keep hedgehogs here. The reason they give for banning them (both) is the possibility of environmental impact should they escape and breed.