Ferret

• Small, carnivorous mammal with body 20–45cm long, tail 7–15cm long, weight up to 2.7kg.
• Body is long and slinky.
• Legs are short.
• Face is pointed, with 34 teeth, including large canines.
• Paws have 5 non-retractable claws.
• Coat ranges from albino to cream, sand, ginger, brown, and dark brown with cream underbelly.

• Inhabits temperate climates, and prolonged exposure to temperatures over 29°C can cause heat-related health problems.
• Prefers forested and semi-forested areas near water sources, including grassland, scrub, riverbeds and pasture.
• Also inhabits farmland, wide hedge banks, marshes, rubbish tips, sea cliffs, sand dunes and, occasionally, urban areas.

• Anecdotal evidence suggests a small population of feral ferrets may exist near Inglewood in southern Queensland.
• Occasional sightings of lone ferrets have also been reported from parts of north Queensland.
• A naturalised Queensland population has never been confirmed.
• Detected and seized as illegal pets in Queensland.

• Life expectancy 2–4 years in wild, 6–10 years in captivity.
• Sexually mature at 6 months of age.
• Breeds once a year.
• Average of 4–8 kits per litter but can have up to 12 kits.
• Young are independent at 3 months.

Environmental

• Eats native species.

Economic

• Transmits disease to stock and humans.
• Eats chickens and eggs.

Social

• Can inflict painful bites that require medical treatment.

• Birds of prey such as hawks, owls and large carnivorous mammals in the wild.
• Susceptible to several viral and parasitic diseases, such as canine distemper.

• If you see or are in possession of a ferret contact our Customer Service Centre within 24 hours.

• The ferret is a prohibited invasive animal under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
• You must not keep, move, give away, sell or release into the environment. Penalties may apply.
• You must not take any action reasonably likely to exacerbate the biosecurity threat posed by ferrets.
• You must take any action that is reasonably likely to minimise the biosecurity threat posed by ferrets.
• You must report all sightings to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours.