Ferrets are small, domesticated carnivores belonging to the Mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, otters, and badgers. These long, slender animals (Mustela furo) have been companions to humans for centuries, likely domesticated from the European polecat (Mustela putorius). Like many animals, ferrets have a specific collective noun for a group of individuals.
The Collective Noun: Business and Hob
The most widely accepted and traditional collective noun for a group of ferrets is a “business.” This unusual term is believed to have originated from the Middle Ages, appearing in early English lists of “proper terms” for animals. The word likely stems from the historical term “busyness,” which aptly describes the ferrets’ ceaseless activity and energetic movements. Their active nature, especially when hunting or playing together, creates a scene of constant, purposeful motion that resembles a bustling operation.
Specific Names for Individual Ferrets
Beyond the collective noun, individual ferrets are also given specific names based on their sex and reproductive status. An unneutered adult male ferret is known as a hob, while an unspayed adult female is called a jill. Young ferrets, regardless of sex, are referred to as kits until they reach about one year of age. Specific terms are also used for altered ferrets: a neutered male is called a gib, and a spayed female is known as a sprite. Less commonly, a male ferret that has undergone a vasectomy is sometimes referred to as a hoblet.
Ferret Social Behavior
Domesticated ferrets are more social than their wild ancestor, the European polecat, which lives a largely solitary life. They thrive when housed in groups and rely on the company of other ferrets for mental and physical well-being. They often display their social nature by engaging in animated “weasel war dances” and playful wrestling, which are signs of bonding and stimulation.
When ferrets sleep, they frequently exhibit “piling,” where they huddle closely together in a tangled mass. This instinctual action conserves body heat and provides a sense of security within the group. Unlike some social animals, ferrets do not appear to form a rigid social hierarchy or pecking order. Their group interactions are generally amicable, characterized by mutual grooming and shared rest areas. New ferrets are typically introduced with a ritual involving sniffing the anal area, neck, and shoulders to gather information about the newcomer’s status.