I have had a fascination for ferrets since I was a young boy, but because of my strong bond with rabbits I never became a ferret owner, and yet I do have pleasure in handling and treating them. Their behaviour creates a story in itself, but there is also a social history too that older readers will appreciate. Until myxamatosis was introduced here in the early 1950s from France, which resulted in 95% of our wild rabbits being wiped out, rabbits were a terrible pest and ten could eat as much as a sheep, which of course was a big problem for farmers scratching a living just before the war. However, rabbits were good eating and butchers sold many to to the housewives who, with great ingenuity, fed their families, particularly in the towns and cities. We in the country could get one more easily either by snaring the garden robber, or shooting it, or getting it from the local poacher, gamekeeper or farmer

I recall one farmer, who recalls his boyhood in the 1930's, who for two days a week in Autumn and Winter along with his father, caught huge numbers of rabbits using ferrets and nets and sending the degutted rabbit carcasses in crates by train to the Liverpool and Manchester markets. Their income from this actually paid their rent!

The domestic ferret belongs to the meat eating family of animals, all of whom have strong scent glands. These include mink, weasels, stoats, otters, skunks , badgers and polecats, and our particular species is very closely related to the European polecat. Historically the ferret has been used to hunt rabbits and rodents around human habitations, and of course this essentially goes on, but the rise of the ferret as a household pet is now very important. There is a wide colour variation from white and cream, and this also includes the true albino with pink eyes, and chocolate and sable with a black mask and extremities. Various names are given to the different stages and sex of the animal, such as Jills for females and when neutered are called Sprites; males are called Hobs and when neutered are called Gibs and the young are called Kits. In natural conditions the ferrets will have a spring and autumn litter, but it is an advantage to have those kept as pets neutered , which removes much of the strong musky odour. In winter they grow a much thicker coat and lay down fat, all of which helps to keep them winter warm. Their eyesight is not brilliant, but the senses of smell, touch and hearing are excellent.

Ferrets have many endearing characteristics, needing very little exercise, and will use a litter tray. They weigh about two to three pounds and love being played with every day when their comical antics cause great merriment. They are very interactive with their keepers and on average will live five to seven years. I would not recommend an owner being under twelve years old as handling and interactivity needs careful thought and understanding.

Ferrets usually have intense periods of playing followed by hours of deep sleep, and are great hoarders of food and toys in places of hiding round the house or their play quarters. They like about a two hour exercise period each day and up to twenty hours for sleeping in warm little and snug beds. In their hutches they need lots of levels with tubes and pipes to simulate natural burrows; a ping pong ball is a great favourite toy as are baby rattles and keys on a ring.

Feeding requires thought and ferrets like to eat little and often, and this is why they like to store food. They need high quality food of meat and egg yolk, and can handle the best cat foods. However, a special ferret diet is available, and is probably the safest bet.

With a special harness and attached lead they can be taken for walks and can provide a huge amount of entertainment. They love disappearing up your sleeves or cardigans and from experience I advise pulling socks over trouser bottoms and don't let them suck your ear lobes!!

Ailments of ferrets include distemper, as in dogs, for which there is a vaccine, and various gut problems nearly always caused by wrongful feeding.

Verdict - Great pets and great fun!