Black-Footed Ferrets
A Furry Comeback
Need to Know
The Black-Footed Ferret, or Mustela Nigripes, is an endangered species in which the population is approximately 1,000 left in the wild. They belong in the kingdom of Anamilia, their Phylum Chordata, the Class Mammalia, the Order Carnivora, the Family Mustelidae, and the Genus Mustela. They can only be found in mountain basins, but more commonly in the Northern Great Plains and are struggling to survive with the decrease in Prairie Dog population in the areas the ferrets live in.
Habitat
Black-Footed Ferrets can be found in grassland biomes in mountain basins. They are more commonly found in the Northern Great Plains in Prairie Dog colonies so that they can feed on Prairie Dogs. The climate in the Northern Great Plains can take a dramatic turn, with harsh winters and hot and humid summers.
Description
Black-footed Ferrets are fairly small in size, only averaging about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds and growing to be 18 to 24 inches long. Their base color is a pale yellowish color, the base of the head decorating with dark-tipped hairs. Their feet and tails are a sooty-black, along with a broad band across the face.
Food Source
Black-footed Ferrets are carnivores, which are animals that eat flesh. They mostly feed on Prairie Dogs as their main food source. These ferrets have long, blunt heads, which are perfect for burrowing and slipping into Prairie Dog burrows.
What Causes their Endangerment?
Threats
Black-footed Ferrets are facing harsh threats to their population and environments. Humans are plowing grasslands for farming, which destroyed their shelter. Grasslands and shrub lands have been destroyed by poisoning and exotic diseases. Prairie Dog colonies have been reduced to less than 5% due to humans shooting at them, simply to attempt to eradicate their population, and because of the Sylvatic Plague, which is a bacterial disease that can get transferred by fleas.
Solutions
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is trying to help the Black-footed Ferret population by building the conditions that are needed for their sustainability. They are also safely relocating prairie dogs for the ferrets' main food source. I believe that if we can donate money to WWF, then we can help them on funds to build safer habitats. We can also come together to teach schools about these miniature brown raccoons to try to get volunteer work, donations, or simply just to get the word spread about these endangered species.