ferret, polecat, or, - a representative of the class of mammals of the family Cunha.It is a typical predator.To this genus (ferrets) and zoologists include mink and ermine and weasels.Ferrets are intelligent, clever and cautious animals.
If necessary, they need excellent protection: these predators behave aggressively biting strongly and, of course, indulge in a foul-smelling liquid.This method is often knocks the dogs off the scent.Cases where ferrets are attacked and people, in particular young children.
inhabited by ferrets?
These predators inhabit the whole of Europe and Asia, live in the mountains, forests, fields, plains.Often ferrets can be found near human habitation.Russian polecat is represented by two species: there is steppe (light) and forest (black).We'll talk about them later.
Appearance
Khor - a relatively small fur animal.The length of the male calf can reach 50 centimeters, and females - 40 cm.At the same time on the tail accounts for up to 20 centimeters.The famous fur of these animals is a black and brown tones, the sides he painted in brown color.Above the small and black eyes of these animals are yellow-white spots, same color and has a muzzle.
The ferrets eat?
As mentioned above, the polecat - this is a typical predator.He never on their own will not eat plant food.These Rogues great pleasure to eat rats and mice, as well as the poisonous vipers.Curiously, snake bites will not hurt these animals.For a hearty meal and nice, polecat must hunt, showing uncommon cunning, endurance and agility.
But not all the above qualities and ability to work on "hurray".Sometimes the hunt does not bring any fruit.It is interesting that the animal is not particularly concerned about this: polecat quietly eats snails, grasshoppers, steals delicious honey of wild bees, dives into the waters for fish.Only in exceptional cases, those making the transition to grass by eating berries and grass.
Thunderstorm chicken coops!
Polecat (photo predator presented in this article) is the present storm chicken coops and all bird farms!Not far behind him and ermine, and even caress.No wonder about the raids of these animals in the rural areas have stacked the whole legend.In addition, these predators of the family Cunha not only ruin chicken coops, eating eggs, but carry with them for one night five or more chickens.
Lifestyle
In nature, an adult ferret prefers to solitary.These animals are difficult to see in the school, because their morals and character will never allow them to get along together in the same territory.Zoologists describe pugnacious ferrets as an interesting phenomenon of nature: two males, do not divide among themselves the territory, begin to attack each other, jumping, biting, screaming in pain, scratch and tumble (see. Photo below).
Pregnancy in ferrets
Pregnancy in the females comes up to three times in one year.In one litter usually turns up 12 horchat.Cubs are born completely helpless and blind.A female brings up their milk for two weeks.At the end of this period, young start to eat vegetable foods, and then - the usual food.
How to live Russian forest ferret?
Polecat black or forest - is a typical inhabitant of Eurasia.This animal was domesticated by man in Russia.This form has a name - the ferret or the ferret albino.If we talk about the genetics of this animal, this kind of fine and interbreed, giving different color variations.
polecat are common in Western Europe, but even there, the territory of their habitat is being phased out.The huge population of these animals in the UK has, in most of Russia (except the Caucasus), in North Karelia and the Lower Volga region.Scientists who study these animals, consider that the last time they could settle in the forests of Finland.In addition, the polecat forest inhabited territory in northwest Africa.
Lifestyle polecat
These Rogues, as well as all their relatives, are sedentary and solitary lifestyle.They are tied to particular habitats and try to live it as much as possible.Because this type of ferrets prefer to settle in small forests and groves of the individual, they were called "opushechnymi residents."In addition, the edge of the forest - a typical hunting ground black ferret.
These predators as shelters often use natural shelters: they live under fallen trees, masonry wood, rotten hay stacks, stumps and so on. D. Often black polecat can live next door to a badger or a fox.In the villages and farms, these creatures live in barns, cellars and sometimes under the eaves of the local baths.I own these animals burrow little digging.Forest weasel perfectly swims and can compete in this, even with the mink!
his production they were looking mainly in the evening.During the day to get them to come out of his hiding place it is so difficult.Exclusion can make a strong sense of hunger.The size of the predator did not allow him to catch rodents under the ground, so the polecat have to watch for them or snap directly on the run!
little about the steppe ferret
Another member of the family - a steppe polecat, ferret or white.Representatives of this type are the largest on the planet ferrets.From their relatives, they are high, but rare fur cover.Because of this through their thick wool rayed, but light underfur.
steppe polecats are common in the west of Yugoslavia and the Czech Republic, in the steppes, forest-steppes and semi-deserts of Russia (from Transbaikalia to the Middle Amur).They can be found in the Middle and Central Asia up to the Far East.Zoologists say that over the past few decades, this type of habitat ferrets expanded to the west and a little bit - to the north.Steppe polecat tries to avoid forests and settlements.
The steppe polecats eat?
Like all weasels, steppe polecat - this is a typical predator.He hunts for hamsters, ground squirrels, small rodents.With pleasure eats frogs, poisonous snakes and birds.In summer steppe Hori may prey on invertebrates: beetles, dragonflies, worms, spiders.Those prairie creatures that live near water bodies, prilovchilis catch aquatic animals, such as voles river.
Like all other ferrets, these creatures are causing considerable harm to domestic poultry.It is worth noting that such a reputation is often spoiled by the life of the little animals, because they are sometimes accused of something they did not commit.This is because the steppe polecats may substitute their own relatives - weasel and martens.Outside the settlements the creatures are extremely useful, exterminating rodents.
Polecat and people
friendship ferret and human - it's not invented a legend, but a real truth.Taken out of the hole even young animals quite easily tamed.This and took advantage of some hunters who invented the practical application of them in the hunt: they use them in the pursuit of rabbits instead of dogs.
However, the polecat, whose photo was repeatedly present in this article, is a predator, and therefore the man in communion with him must be very cautious and careful.Keep in mind that violent temper will never leave these animals.The average life span of these creatures in nature - 3-4 years in the home - up to 7 years.
