This brochure does not in any way take the place of a vet, however, and if you suspect something is wrong, please go see a vet. Basic Ferret Facts and Standards Ferrets live an average of 6-10 years, with lifespan depending on heredity, attention and care, diet, and exercise. A well fed, well bred healthy ferret will have soft, silky fur, and long whiskers. The normal heart rate is 216-250 bpm. The normal respirations are 33-36 per minute.
Ferrets usually reach full adult size by the age of six months.
Ferret age is usually determined by the upper canines, a solid bright white tooth would indicate a ferret a year or younger, a yellow completely translucent tooth would indicate a ferret of around six years or older. Ferrets are nearsighted, and can only see in shades of grey, although it is thought that some can see some blues and reds. Ferrets have an excellent sense of smell. Ferrets can not survive out in the wild. It is thought that ferrets have been domesticated for over 2500 years.