The domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) is a long, slender mammal descended from the European polecat (Mustela putorius), domesticated over 2,000 years ago. Although effective hunters of small prey, ferrets are mesopredators, occupying a middle tier in the food web. This means they are also prey for larger animals. Their relatively small size and ground-level dwelling make them vulnerable in both wild and domestic settings.
Predators of Wild Polecats and Feral Ferrets
In the wild, the European polecat faces threats from larger carnivores and birds of prey. Large avian hunters, such as the Eurasian eagle-owl or the golden eagle, prey on mustelids, catching the polecat when it is exposed outside a burrow.
Terrestrial mammalian predators include red foxes and badgers, which predate upon polecats, particularly young or weakened individuals. Feral ferrets, such as those in New Zealand, are often preyed upon by feral cats and stoats, especially where native apex predators are absent.
Common Threats to Domestic Ferrets
The primary dangers to domestic ferrets occur when they are allowed unsupervised outdoor access or escape their enclosures. Unattended domestic dogs represent the most common threat, as their predatory instinct is easily triggered by the ferret’s quick movements. Large domestic cats may also pose a risk, though the outcome is less predictable due to the ferret’s aggressive nature.
Suburban wildlife also preys upon ferrets. Urban coyotes are opportunistic predators known to consume small pets when available. Raccoons and large opossums, while typically omnivores, may attack a ferret if they perceive it as food or a threat. These encounters often happen when ferrets escape their cages or are left in outdoor runs that are not sufficiently secure.
Innate Defense Behaviors
Ferrets and their polecat ancestors possess several instinctual behaviors to avoid predation. Their long, flexible bodies and short legs are adapted for burrowing, allowing them to quickly escape into tunnels or underbrush for refuge. Wild polecats frequently take over and modify the burrows of other animals, such as rabbits, providing immediate shelter from danger.
When directly confronted, the ferret may employ speed and a chemical defense. A frightened ferret will release a powerful, musky odor from its anal scent glands as a deterrent. This secretion can repel and disorient a potential predator. Ferrets may also display a threat ritual, sometimes called the “weasel war dance,” which involves erratic movement and hissing to confuse or intimidate an attacker.