Pet Ferret History, Origins and Ancestry

Ferrets have quite a controversial history. No one is really sure where they came from or when they first appeared. Some points can be agreed upon, but there are a lot of things that the experts disagree about when it comes to the origins of the ferret.

No one can agree when the ferret first appeared, but we do know that they have been around for quite some time. Ferrets have been mentioned in history for centuries. The earliest recording mentions of the ferret go as far back as Aristophanes and Aristotle, which was over 2,500 years ago. In the late Middle Ages, it is known that the ferret was a favorite pet from the writings and pamphlets of the time.

In the 13th century, ferrets were considered to be part of the staff of the Royal Court in England. These ferrets were a favorite pet of the royal family from 1200 AD until 1400 AD, but they were still expected to earn their keep.

Unlike the pets of today that are kept around purely for the happiness and enjoyment they bring, animals then were expected to contribute to the household. They were most likely used to help to get rabbits out of their burrows and help with hunting, among a range of other activities. They can easily chase a rat or mouse out for an awaiting cat to pounce!

The ancestry of the ferret is another point that is up for debate. They are difficult to trace in the fossils because their tiny bones disintegrate so thoroughly. Scientists, then, have to find other ways to explain the ferret’s ancestry.

They look at their body characteristics, called morphology. They can also compare their traits to other species. They look at the teeth, diet and location of the ferrets, as well as where they store their fat. Finally, they do a comparative DNA study. From all this evidence, they have determined that the ferret came from the polecat and is in the mustelids family with the weasels.

The full Latin name of the ferret is a Musela Putorius Furo. Putor refers to their unique smell and furo explains their “thief-like” hoarding. It seems that ferrets have been snatching things and hiding them in special, secret holes for centuries now!

Ever since the 19th century, ferrets have evolved to become more like working companions than pets. They are responsible for a lot of communications and telecommunications solutions setups. They can string cables through pipes in the North Sea and through the small conduits in jets. Since the 1970’s, however, they started their role as being strictly pets and companions to a number of people. It’s only been since then that these animals were kept around for their friendly and joyful natures.

Ferrets are great animals with fantastic personalities and that is why they have been such a popular choice for pets in recent years. Their popularity is sure to only increase over the decades regardless of their history, origins or ancestry.

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