Meet The Black-footed Ferret
STATUS: Critically Endangered
POPULATION: ~370
There are three different ferret species on our planet and the Black-footed ferret is the only one native to North America. Unfortunately, these little carnivores are one of the most endangered mammals in North America. They were believed to have gone extinct in 1979 but thankfully rediscovered shortly thereafter in 1981. The current population is estimated to be around 370 and According to the IUCN Red List there are only about 200 mature Black-footed ferrets remaining in wild. An estimated 3000 black-footed ferret would be needed to recover the species.
The Black-footed ferrets average lifespan is only 1-3 years in the wild and around 4-6 years in captivity. Female ferrets are called jills, while males are referred to as hobs and their baby ferrets are called kits. They are solitary animals with the exception of the breeding season when females usually have 1-7 kits in each litter. The Black-footer ferrets’ diet consist primarily of prairie dogs, and as nocturnal or fossorial creatures, they are active mostly at night living mainly underground.
Black-footed ferrets were thought to have gone extinct in 1979 but thankfully they were rediscovered in 1981.
Photo by Kimberly Fraser / USFWS via Wikimedia Commons
What’s the danger?
The biggest factors endangering the black-footed ferrets are non-native diseases and their loss of habitat and prey.
As the black-footed ferrets ferrets rely on prairie dogs for prey, it’s become challenging to survive. Prairie dogs are killed by humans because they eat grass and hay that is intended for livestock, and their underground burrows can be hazardous for the foundations of human homes. In addition, much of the shortgrass prairie that black-footed ferrets depend on have been turned into agricultural sites.
Worse still, after the ferrets were reintroduced to the wild in 1997 a sylvatic plague outbreak swept through the area killing the majority of both ferrets and the prairie dogs they depend on. This remains an ongoing problem that we must fight in order to keep them safe.
ENVIRONMENTAL DEPENDENCIES
The black-footed ferret has an important role in our ecosystem. By feeding mostly on prairie dogs they help maintain the natural order of population size. Black footed ferrets are also hunted by owls, coyotes, and badgers who rely on the black-footed ferrets as an additional source of prey. With the species at risk, all of these factors combine to disrupt the health of our grasslands which provide sufficient clean water, prevent floods, and promote the natural production of our own food crops and meats. We must protect the ecosystem at large.
It’s hard to imagine just how few 370 is. Buckingham Palace has around twice as many rooms as the number of black footed-ferrets in the wild. (775 rooms to be exact)
Photo by Kimberly Fraser / USFWS via Wikimedia Commons
How can we help?
We need to succeed in multiple areas to call it a real “ferret-comeback”. The four key areas include further ferret reintroduction to native habitats, systematic and continuous availability of plague management tools, maintaining existing ferret sites, and the relocation of prairie dog families which will help increase ferret habitat.
The World Wildlife Fund is currently leading these initiatives alongside other organizations, agencies, tribes, and landowners. But it takes the power and resources of many in order to succeed.
Make a Pledge For THOSE IN NEED
When you purchase limited edition Everybeing shirts, 100% of net proceeds go directly to organizations working on conservation efforts that are helping stop the sixth and support endangered species in need. You are also contributing to the health of our environment as each of our shirts uses yarn made from eight recycled plastic bottles. Please help us support animals in need and the artists who are bringing it all to life.
