Weasel and Ferret (Lacreshia Zahira Maghantara 7B)

In this world, there are many animals that may look alike but are not. The factor of this may be because they come from the same genus and also their genetics. It is the same for weasels and ferrets, which are often mistaken for one another due to having long, tubular and furry bodies. Both of them come from the same genus and family, thus making them look alike. Although they may have many similarities, they also have a lot of differences. We are going to dig into their taxonomy, physical features, and behaviours, to find those differences as easy as spotting a black stain on white paper.

Weasels and ferrets look similar and have similar habits, but they are quite different animals. Ferrets are typically a little larger than weasels, and also heavier. While the average size of a ferret is 70 cm for male and 45 cm for females, the average size of a weasel is only 22 cm for male and 18 for females. Whereas male ferrets can weigh up to 2.5 kg, while the female is 1.5 kg average. Like the ferret, male weasels also weigh heavier than the female. Their male average is 115 g, and the female average is 59 g. While both animals have long tubular bodies, their colors and habits are not the same. Weasels usually come in brown, grey, or black with white and yellow markings, meanwhile ferrets come in black, brown, and cinnamon like color. Weasels prey on mice, voles, rats, and other rodents. They sometimes eat frogs and bird eggs.

Weasels are cunning, bold, and adept predators. They’re skilled climbers and swimmers. They will attack humans if they become scared or feel threatened. Most experts agree that weasels should not be kept as pets, it is because of their aggressive behaviour. Because of this weasels are illegal to possess in some states like California, Hawaii, Washington D.C, and NYC. Unlike weasels, ferrets are intelligent, lively, playful and curious, and are not afraid of humans. They could also get along well with kids, other ferrets, cats, and dogs that may live in the same house.

Animals could live longer when they are in captivity than when they are in the wild. The same happens with weasels and ferrets. Weasels could live upto 10 years in captivity, and live 2 until 3 years in the wild. While ferrets could only live upto 4 until 6 years in captivity and 1 to 3 years in the wild. Their habitat could also be affecting their lifespan. Weasels, for example, live in environments abundant with small prey, like small rodents, and an available source of water. Like the woodlands, thickets, farmlands, and open fields. Thus making birds of prey like owls, hawks, and eagles easy to prey on them. Ferrets, on the other hand, live in grassy plains areas. They usually make their homes in tunnels that have been dug by other creatures, for example prairie dogs. Another factor is when they are being reintroduced to their natural habitat, animals in captivity tend to lack some survival skills, and they usually won’t last longer than they did in the captivity. Ferrets that are reintroduced to their habitat are at a heightened risk, because predators like golden eagles, owls, coyotes, badgers, and bobcats will easily prey on them.

Both weasels and ferrets are mischief little thieves, and they are closely related to one another. They come from the same kingdom, Animalia, phylum, Chordata, and share the same class, Mammal. They also have the same order, Carnivora, family, Mustelidae, and genus, Mustela. The only thing that differentiate them from each other is their species. While the weasel species is Mustela nivalis, the species of ferret is Mustela furo.

So, in the result we’ve discovered the many similarities and differences of weasels and ferrets. We have dug into their physical appearance, their behaviour, and also their taxonomy. Although some may say they look alike, they are different in their own way. Ferrets weigh more and are bigger than weasels. Their difference in behaviour is shown by how cunning and aggressive weasels are, they won’t hesitate to attack if they feel threatened or scared. Meanwhile ferrets are more friendly and are not afraid of humans. They also don’t have the same species, weasels are from the Mustelanivalis species, and the ferret comes from the Mustela furo species. With this, we have the right, and proof to say that weasels, and ferrets are two different animals.