Black Footed Ferret
Mustela nigripes
Weight: Female
about 0.8kg; a male about 1kg.
Habitat: Usually
found on short grass and mid-grass prairies in close association with
prairie dogs.
Age to Maturity: 1 year.
Gestation Period: 42-45 days.
Birth Season: Captives have mated in March and April and given birth in
May and June.
Birth Rate: Average 3 young per litter.
Maximum Age: At least 12 years
(captivity).
Diet: It
is a specialist predator of prairie dogs for its food, although mice,
voles, ground squirrels and other small animals are occasionally taken.
Threats: It
was apparently an unintentional victim of the prairie dog eradication
campaign. Disease, including plague and canine distemper, may be the
greatest biological obstacle to its recovery. In addition, poisoning and
shooting remain as potential threats.
