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Ferret
The ferret (Mustela putorius furo) is the domesticated form of the European polecat, a mammal belonging to the same genus as the weasel, Mustela of the family Mustelidae. They typically have brown, black, white, or mixed fur. They have an average length of 51 cm (20 in) including a 13 cm (5.1 in) tail, weigh about 1.5–4 pounds (0.7–2 kg), and have a natural lifespan of 7 to 10 years. Ferrets are sexually dimorphic predators with males being substantially larger than females.
Several other Mustelids also have the word ferret in their common names, including an endangered species, the black-footed ferret.
The history of the ferret’s domestication is uncertain, like that of most other domestic animals, but it is likely that ferrets have been domesticated for at least 2,500 years. They are still used for hunting rabbits in some parts of the world, but increasingly, they are kept only as pets.
Being so closely related to polecats, ferrets easily hybridize with them, and this has occasionally resulted in feral colonies of polecat-ferret hybrids that have caused damage to native fauna, especially in New Zealand. As a result, some parts of the world have imposed restrictions on the keeping of ferrets.
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Ferret (noun)
An often domesticated mammal (Mustela putorius furo) rather like a weasel, descended from the polecat and often trained to hunt burrowing animals.
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Ferret (noun)
The black-footed ferret, ver=161101.
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Ferret (noun)
A diligent searcher.
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Ferret (noun)
A tape of silk, cotton, or ribbon, used to tie documents, clothing, etc. or along the edge of fabric.
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Ferret (verb)
To hunt game with ferrets.
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Ferret (verb)
To uncover and bring to light by searching; usually to ferret out.
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Fisher (noun)
A person who catches fish, especially for a living or for sport.
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Fisher (noun)
A person attempting to catch fish.
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Fisher (noun)
A North American marten, Martes pennanti, that has thick brown fur.
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Fisher (noun)
The fur of Martes pennanti.