Black footed ferrets measure between 38 and 41cm (15-16in) body length. Their tail contributes another 11-13cm to their length. They weigh in at between 900 and 1000g (32-36oz). Find out more!

The black footed ferret is a carnivore. Up to 90% of their diet consists of prairie dogs. In some areas the prairie dogs hibernate for four months. During this period the ferrets feed on voles and mice.

Other prey items include thirteen-lined ground squirrels, plains pocket gophers, mountain cottontails, upland sandpipers, horned larks, western meadowlarks, white-tailed jackrabbits and deer mice. This species obtains their water from their prey.

Black footed ferrets make their home in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Their previous range was dictated by where prairie dogs lived. By 2007 though they were only found in Wyoming. Since then they have been released into Montana, South Dakota, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Saskatchewan and Mexico.

These ferrets are found on shortgrass prairie, mixed grass prairie, desert grassland, shrub steppe, sagebrush steppe, mountain grassland and semi-arid grassland. Females maintain smaller home ranges than males. A male’s territory will consist of numerous females’ territories.

Mating takes place in February and March. A male will come across a female who is in season and begin to sniff her genital region. They will then stay together for a few hours before mating begins.