History
Ferrets were domesticated before cats by the Egyptians
around 3000 BC. Their purpose was to control the vermin population
so as to safeguard the granaries. Their ancestors were probably
the European Polecat (Mustela Putorius) or the Steppe Polecat
of Russia (Mustela eversmanni), although they have their own classification
now (Mustela Furo). Any hybridization of Ferrets with their
wild ancestor stock will result in a far more aggressive animal and it will
not be suitable as a pet.
The Crusaders of the 10th to 12th century brought the first working
ferrets into Europe. The 'ferretmeister'would bring his
animals into a rat-infested town and charge to rid it of the pests.
Even today, some feedmills use resident ferrets to keep out the rats.
They will normally stay within 200 metres of their home cage.
There are no feral populations of ferrets, as their dependence of humans
is now very impressed on their psyche.
These ferrets are having a ball, but they have to be cared for by humans
to survive
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