TABLE OF CONTENTS - National Zoo

BLACK-FOOTED FERRET
(Mustela nigripes)
Carnivore
Description: The black-footed ferret is a small weasel-like animal with a black mask
around its eyes and black legs and feet. It is between 43-56 cm long (18-22 in),
including its tail. It weighs up to 1.2 kg (2.5 lbs). Black-footed ferrets live
underground as much as possible in order to avoid their natural enemies which are
hawks, bobcats, owls, badgers and coyotes.
Teeth: Black-footed ferrets have three pairs of incisors in the upper jaw and 2-3
pairs in the lower jaw. They have one pair of canines and 2-4 pairs of premolars in
both jaws. In the upper jaw, there is one pair of molars and the lower jaw has 1-2
pairs of molars. Thus, the total number of teeth ranges between 30-38 teeth. The
upper molar is relatively large and squarish or dumbell-shaped.
Diet: Prairie dogs, which are often equal or larger in size than the ferret, make up
90% of its diet. It also eats rabbits and rodents on occasion.
Range: The black-footed ferret formerly ranged from Mexico to Canada through the
western plains states. It was thought to be extinct in the 1970’s, however, in 1981,
a population was found in Meeteetse, Wyoming. In 1985, disease almost destroyed
this small population, and in 1987, the survivors were removed to captivity.
Through breeding programs in zoos, including the Conservation & Research Center,
the species has been saved from extinction and is now being reintroduced back into
the wild.
Habitat: The black-footed ferret is found mainly on short and mid-grass prairies. It
lives almost exclusively in prairie dog towns of the Great Plains. Prairie dog towns
are a community network of prairie dog dens and tunnels that can cover hundreds of
acres. Black-footed ferrets den in abandoned prairie dog burrows.
Social Organization: Black-footed ferrets are primarily nocturnal, and they are
thought to have keen senses of hearing, smell, and sight. They are thought to be
solitary hunters and can use a range of around 100 acres each. A male ferret’s
territory may overlap that of several females with which he mates. Females raise a
litter of about three to four kits without help from males.
Conservation Status: The decline of the black-footed ferret was almost entirely due
to government-sponsored poisoning of prairie dog towns and the development of
farms, roads, towns, etc. over prairie dog colonies. Seven zoos, including the
National Zoo’s Conservation & Research Center, participate in the Black-Footed
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