Angora Ferret

The angora ferret is a lush, beautiful, and soft version of the domestic ferret, though they are classified under the same scientific name.

They come in many colors and are often encouraged as pets for children and families for their non-aggressive nature. Even though they have only been available for a few decades, breeders have carefully maintained their pedigree, so their genetic line is fairly pure. Since domesticated ferrets are not legal in every state, anyone who wants to adopt one should check with the local laws first.

5 Incredible Angora Ferret Facts!

• The creation of the Angora ferret was by complete accident. A Swedish breeder discovered that one of his litters had more hair on their legs. After selling them to a fur farm, the breed evolved into the animal that pet owners know today. They originated about 30 years ago.
• The reason that the angora ferret originally was bred was due to its fur. They didn’t become pets until many years later.
• In their scientific identification, the angora ferret is not a different species or a subspecies from the ferret. The only thing that differentiates them is their fur, but they are classified as simply a ferret.
• It is best not to spay or neuter this ferret before they reach a year old because it can reduce their lifespan.
• Angora ferrets tend to be extremely outgoing and friendly toward their family. They seek out ways to get attention, and they are not typically aggressive.

Scientific Name

The angora ferret’s scientific name is Mustela furo. While European polecats and North American black-footed ferrets are separate species, “Mustela furo” refers to all domesticated pet ferrets. There is no difference scientifically between the species, and the separation of angora ferrets is simply to describe their fur.

The word “furo” comes from the Late Latin word for “thief,” while “Mustela” means “weasel.”

Evolution and History

The history of the ferret can be traced back to ancient times when they were domesticated in Europe for hunting purposes. Originally bred for their ability to hunt rodents and rabbits, ferrets have a long and fascinating evolutionary history that dates back millions of years.

Ferrets belong to the Mustelidae family, which includes other carnivorous mammals such as weasels, otters, badgers, and minks. It is believed that their ancestors originated in Eurasia around 30 million years ago and eventually spread across different parts of the world through land bridges created during various ice ages.

Over time, ferrets evolved into several distinct species adapted to different environments. For example, the black-footed ferret is native to North America and lives in prairies, while European polecat ferrets are found throughout Europe’s forests and grasslands.

Today’s domesticated ferret (Mustela putorius furo) shares a common ancestor with these wild relatives but was selectively bred over hundreds of generations for docility and ease of handling. This breeding has led to several unique traits, such as being more social than their wild counterparts—a trait that makes them popular pets worldwide.

Appearance

The reason that the angora ferret has earned its name is from the most telltale part of their appearance – their fur. This fur is long and silky, thanks to breeding on a fur farm when the species was first created. Though the animal was originally bred for their fur, their lovability earned them a place as a ferret many years later. The undercoat and overcoat are the same lengths, measuring 2-8 inches long.

Their nose is another distinct feature. With all of this fur, the Angora has an extra fold within its nose, which is covered with a tuft of fur. They sometimes also have a tuft of fur that covers the nose. The average length of this ferret is 18-21 inches, and they typically weigh no more than 4.5 lbs.

Angora ferrets come in many colors, including albino, black, black sable, champagne, sable, chocolate, cinnamon, and white.

Behavior

One of the reasons that people tend to love domesticated ferrets so much is that they are playful and friendly, making them great companions for families with children. They are smart, curious, and seem to have a constant amount of energy to keep them active. While they love to find toys and hide them, they can quickly shred one of these toys in a matter of minutes.

Typically, the angora ferret is solitary when it comes to other ferrets. They don’t need any other animals in the home to make them feel content because they get this love from their family that adopts them. They can even learn tricks, including how to use a litter box.

Habitat

Since the angora ferret is completely domesticated, their habitat needs to be created by its owner. They were originally found in Europe, where they were bred at a facility in Scandinavia, but they are currently sold with breeders so they can live anywhere.

A good habitat gives them ample space to move around, though owners will need to give time to roam around the house for about two hours a day for exploration and to burn off energy. Supervision is a necessity because their playtime can quickly become destructive. They need places where they can run and hide, but their domestication makes it easy to care for them anywhere.

Diet

Like all domestic ferrets, the angora ferret is carnivorous, which means that they need their owner to provide food that is high in protein with limited carbohydrates. Often, pet owners will give their angoras cat food that is rich in protein. If they eat prepared food, chicken and turkey are both healthy for their bodies.

Predators and Threats

Even with the domestication of this breed and their carnivorous diet, the angora ferret could have many predators if they ever get outside. Larger carnivorous mammals like to chase and hunt them, so they may not be good pets for a home with other animals. Their own diet is equally carnivorous, but there’s little need for them to hunt with their owners around because everything is provided for them.

What Eats Angora Ferrets?

Angora ferrets are mostly protected from predators because they live in homes with their owners. If there are other dogs or cats in the home, they may become victims of their natural hunting instincts. Wolves and larger game are also a threat if they escape.

What Do Angora Ferrets Eat?

With an owner to care for them, the angora ferret doesn’t have to hunt for prey like its wild relatives; while a wild ferret would hunt for possums, rabbits, prairie dogs, rodents, and hedgehogs.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Mating for the angora ferret is rather well controlled because the species is specifically bred for a pedigree, allowing breeders to sell them for a high cost. When the female becomes pregnant, gestation lasts for about 42 days, and she gives birth to live young. The average size of her litter is 8 babies, and there is no evidence that monogamy is a consideration. These babies typically weigh about 6-12 grams when they are born.

The babies – better known as kits – drink their mother’s milk until they are at least 7 weeks old. They are born without sight or hearing, and they initially have no teeth. Their teeth don’t grow in until they are 3 weeks old, followed by the opening of their ears and eyes when they are about 4-5 weeks old.

The average life expectancy of the angora ferret is 5-9 years old. Some of the potential health concerns that they can face are minor, like diarrhea or vomiting if their food doesn’t sit well in their stomach. However, like other variations of ferrets, they can also develop cancer or adrenal disease.

Population

The population of angora ferrets in the world is entirely determined by the demand amongst breeders. Since they are domestic animals that are protected through breeding, they are not extinct and have a steadily increasing population.
Typically, you can buy an angora ferret for between $65 and $250 for the total cost. Their coat color and their pedigree make a difference in the overall cost, but they are still a new variation. Individuals who want to own this type of pet may have to travel far. Plus, some areas in the United States – like Hawaii and California – have made it illegal to own any type of ferret, so you might have to check with the local laws.