Black-footed Ferret

Mustela nigripes

Population, Conservation Status, Threats:

Considered endangered by the IUCN, with a population that appears to be decreasing. Estimated wild populations are around 300 individuals. Black-footed ferrets were thought to be extinct by the 1970s, but a small population was rediscovered in 1981. Through a remarkable captive breeding enterprise, black-footed ferret populations were reestablished from only seven surviving breeding individuals - meaning the population as a whole lacks genetic diversity, a threat in and of itself. Other threats to populations include loss of habitat to agriculture, loss of prairie dogs - their primary source of food and shelter - and diseases like canine distemper and plague.

Physical Description:

A small, slender mustelid with light tan fur, darker on the back and lighter on the belly. The legs and tip of the tail are black, and the face and ears are cream save for a distinct black "bandit mask" across the eyes.

Overall black-footed ferret range from Montana Field Guide. Extirpated range is in purple with red hatching, known breeding sites are in red.

Habitat:

Black-footed ferrets are obligate prairie dog predators, and as such, inhabit the same grassland and prairie ecosystems as prairie dogs, and in fact are only found where there are sufficient prairie dog populations to sustain them.

Behavior:

Black-footed ferrets are solitary and nocturnal, and spend much of their time underground in prairie dog burrows. Given their small population and cryptic habits, little is known about their behavior in the wild, outside of their elusiveness.

Diet:

Prairie dogs make up an incredible 90% of their diet. The remaining 10% consists of small vertebrates and the occasional insects prey.

Reproduction:

Ferrets are solitary, meeting up with other individuals only to breed, and males are not involved in raising young. Gestation takes around 40 days, resulting in an average of 3 or 4 offspring. It takes kits over a month to open their eyes post-birth, and over three months to reach independence. Young disperse from their mothers in the autumn, and reach sexual maturity at around one year old.

Associated Species:

Prairie dogs are their primary prey. Coyotes and golden eagles have been known to prey upon black-footed ferrets.

Illustration by Willow Sedam

Sources: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/black-footed-ferret, https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/animals-we-protect/black-footed-ferret/, https://www.fws.gov/species/black-footed-ferret-mustela-nigripes

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