Black-footed Ferret

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BLACK-FOOTED FERRET

The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), also known as the American polecat or prairie dog hunter is a
species of mustelid native to central North America. It is listed as endangered by the IUCN, because of its
very small and restricted populations. First discovered by Audubon and Bachman in 1851, the species
declined throughout the 20th century, primarily as a result of decreases in prairie dog populations
and sylvatic plague. It was declared extinct in 1979 until Lucille Hogg's dog brought a dead black-footed
ferret to her door in Meeteetse, Wyoming in 1981. That remnant population of a few dozen ferrets lasted
there until the animals were considered extinct in the wild in 1987. However, a captive breeding program
launched by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service resulted in its reintroduction into eight western
states and Mexico from 19912008. There are now over 1,000 mature, wild-born individuals in the wild
across 18 populations, with four self-sustaining populations in South Dakota (two), Arizona and Wyoming.

Identification

Fur is buff/tan on the body with some black-tipped hairs along the back, lighter color on the underside.
Black feet and legs, face mask and tail tip. Fur length approximately 0.4 inches (1 cm). Body length of
adult and juvenile females in autumn 14 - 17 inches (35-43 cm) averaging 15 inches (39 cm) plus a
4 inch (12 cm) tail. Average female weight in autumn is 1.6 lbs. (730 g). Males larger than females with
adult males measuring 16-17 inches (41-45 cm) long, averaging 17 inches (43.2 cm) plus a 5 inch (13
cm) tail in autumn. Average adult male weight in autumn is 2.4 lbs. (1,095 g). Juvenile males measure 14
- 18 inches (37-45 cm) long, averaging 16 inches (41.8 cm) in autumn plus a 5 inch (13 cm) tail.
Juvenile male weight in autumn averages 2 lbs. (933 g).

Habitat

Black-tailed prairie dog colonies, white-tailed prairie dog colonies, Gunnisons prairie dog colonies. Black-
footed ferrets are found surviving only on prairie dog colonies.

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Food

Prairie dogs make up more than 90% of their diet. The remaining portion is comprised of mice, voles,
rabbits and small birds. Predation upon prairie dogs takes place below ground at night typically while
prairie dogs are sleeping. Occasionally black-footed ferret use ambush hunting techniques near sunrise to
capture a prairie dog as it emerges from the burrow.

Reproduction

Breeding season begins in late March and continues through April. Territorial males will breed as many
females as possible. Black-footed ferrets are induced ovulators. Gestation is 44 days and kits are born
below ground completely altricial (blind, naked, helpless). Average litter size is 3 (range 1-6). Female
nurses the kits until they emerge above ground for the first time, usually in July. After copulation the male
has no role in raising the young. Kits are adult size by autumn and ready to breed at 10 months of age.

Behavior

Black-footed ferrets are territorial and solitary with the exception of breeding season and litter rearing.
Male home ranges average 132 acres (53 hectares) and generally overlap female home ranges that average
65 acres (26 hectares). Kits are adult sized by September (females) and November (males) and will disperse
away from their mothers in September. Males typically disperse farther than females and also experience a
higher mortality rate. Survival to 1 year is approximately 30% for males and 50% for females. Primary
predators of black-footed ferrets include coyotes, badgers and great horned owls.

Conservation status

Listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in the US and Mexico. Listed as extirpated in
Canada under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Prairie dog poisoning, land conversion to agriculture and
plague reduced and fragmented prairie dog populations throughout the 20th Century. The first population
ever studied was in Mellette County, South Dakota 1964-1974. Nine individuals captured for captive
breeding but no live young were produced. The last captive black-footed ferret from Mellette County died
in 1979 and the wild population was also gone. Biologists feared the species was extinct.

On September 26, 1981 a ranch dog near Meeteetse, Wyoming killed a black-footed ferret and brought it
home to John and Lucille Hogg who took it into to taxidermist Larry LaFranchie who identified it as a
black-footed ferret. A population was discovered and studied on white-tailed prairie dog colonies
occupying private lands near Meeteetse. The population peaked at 129 individuals in 1984 but declined to
58 in 1985. Sylvatic plague and canine distemper were decimating the population and eventually the
decision was made to capture some animals. Six were captured but died of canine distemper. The remaining
wild black-footed ferrets were captured in the Fall of 1985 and Fall/Winter of 1986-87. A total of 18 were
removed (11 females, 7 males) and formed the nucleus of a successful captive breeding program. By 1991
enough kits were produced in captivity that reintroductions back into the wild began and continue today.

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Black-footed ferrets have been reintroduced at 19 locations in 8 US States, Mexico and Canada. Future
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recovery of the species is completely dependent upon managing healthy prairie dog populations, requiring
tools to mitigate plague and overcoming the negative social attitudes towards prairie dogs from the
agricultural community.

Range