The ferret belongs to the weasel and polecat family. The domesticated ferret is derived from the European polecat, Mustela puorius . Ferrets have a life span ranging from 6 - 8 years on the average. Ferrets have color vision, but poor eyesight. The ferret's skeletal and muscular structure is very flexible, this allows them access to small, cramped, and curved areas.
Ferrets are mischievous animals and enjoy exploring everywhere they can reach.
Being so active in their waking hours makes the ferret sleep so soundly that they appear dead. The only way to be sure they are alive is to carefully observe their rising and falling chest. Because of their flexible bodies ferrets have been used by electricians, both commercial and military, to run wires in tubes and other cramped quarters. Ferrets are carnivorous, they feed on small rodents, rabbits, birds, insects, lizards and frogs. Here at the zoo they are fed commercial dry ferret food and occasional hard boiled egg treats.