How Smart Are Ferrets?

Over time, black-footed ferrets have become trendy pets across the United States. However, many people wonder if these furry little critters known for their cuteness and bubbly personalities possess intelligence. Learn just how smart are ferrets.

Ferret Overview

The black-footed ferret is the only type of the species native to North America. Known in scientific terms as Mustela nigripes, this rodent-like creature possesses a black face and feet, a yellowish/white color on its belly, and a white nose, head, and throat. Additionally, large paws and claws help the ferret dig for their prey.

Size

Ferrets are small. Typically, they measure anywhere from only 18-24 inches long.

Weight

The creature’s weight usually ranges between two and three pounds.

Habitat

The ferret’s main prey are prairie dogs. Therefore, the animals originally enjoyed large populations where prairie dogs lived, which included an area extending from southern Canada to northern Mexico. Currently, abundant ferret colonies exist in the western United States in places such as Wyoming, South Dakota, Arizona, and Montana.

Diet

As stated, ferrets most prefer prairie dogs. However, they also dine on other small creatures like squirrels, mice, and rats, as well as birds and insects.

How Smart Are Ferrets?

Zoology professionals maintain that ferrets are smarter than many other creatures because:

They are Trainable

Ferrets enjoy learning. Because of this, the creatures possess an eagerness to acquire new skills. This level of adaptability makes them easy to train. Researchers conclude that ferrets often understand and follow commands after little instruction. That said, like other intelligent beings, ferrets occasionally display streaks of stubbornness and boredom that may interfere with the training process.

They Possess a Good Memory

Ferrets not only possess good memories but also the ability to attach specific emotions to such recollections.

For example, the increasingly popular pets attach positive feelings to accomplishing tasks like following commands. Good vibes and pleasant thoughts occur because they likely receive praise or some type of reward for their actions.

That said, the creatures also associate negative feelings with bad memories. A case in point would be engaging in an activity resulting in injury or harm. Ferrets understand that these behaviors bring forth negative consequences and realize engaging in such efforts does not serve their best interests.

Effective Communication

Ferrets are vocal creatures that follow an effective communication system. They utter loud chirping sounds to express to others in their group of possible danger, hiss when angry or frightened, female whimpering alerts their young of potential troubles, and males chortle at females during mating rituals.

Additionally, ferrets communicate through movements and gestures. The animals are well-known for performing the ferret dance. Sometimes also called the weasel war dance, ferrets stand on their hind legs, make wild motions, and offer facial expressions when happy or excited.

Self-Awareness

Ferrets possess a keen awareness of their physical characteristics and apply this knowledge in given situations. For example, they are cognizant enough of their body size to know what spaces they can and cannot fit inside.

Problem-Solving Skills

Studies conducted show that ferrets possess the ability to solve challenging activities like games, mazes, and puzzles. Moreover, they have demonstrated the capacity to repeat certain actions, especially those with positive outcomes or that yielded rewards.

A Ferret’s Intelligence Explained

Animal experts suggest that ferret brains bear certain similarities with those of humans and other notably intelligent creatures. Scientists have found that a ferret’s brain contains a component known as the wrinkled cerebral cortex. This feature enables beings possessing it to process more complex topics and problems while promoting greater communication between brain cells.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Kerry Hargrove/Shutterstock.com