Along with badgers, weasels, and minks, they all belong to the same carnivorous mammal family, the Mustelids. These mammals share similar physical characteristics such as long bodies, thick fur, and short legs. These animals are also nocturnal and prefer to live alone.
Many people mistakenly believe that stoats and ferrets are one and the same. They are not only physically different, but they also have distinct personalities and differ in temperament and character.
This article will take a closer look into each animal to discover what makes them unique.
Visual Differences
Both ferrets and stoats share the same characteristic of having short legs, thick coats, and elongated bodies. However, it is easy to distinguish the two species by closer inspection. The ferret is much longer than the stoat, almost twice as big, and has a black mask, black feet, and a black-tipped tail. In comparison to its body, the ferret’s tail also is shorter than that of the stoat.
A Glance
Ferret
- Average length (adult): 14-18 inches
- Average tail length (adult): 3-5 inches
- Average weight (adult): 1.5-2.5 pounds
- Life expectancy: 5-10 Years
- Colors: Black, sable, brown, silver, chocolate, albino
Stoat
- Average length (adult): 6-9 inches
- Average tail length (adult): 3-5 inches
- Adult average weight: 1.5-2 ounces
- Life expectancy: 4-6 Years
- Colors: Red, brown, cream, and white
Stoat Overview
Stoats are tiny but fierce little animals that can take on as much as 20 times their weight. They can be found in wooded areas throughout North America. Although they aren’t considered endangered, they are often hunted for their gorgeous fur. They eat a variety of prey including rats, mice, birds, and rabbits. For winter, the stoat’s fur changes from a reddish brown to white with a cream or light brown stomach to all white, except their tail which remains black.
Stoats can be very active and difficult to care for as pets. Stoats are energetic and can move very fast so it is difficult to manage them.
Personality/Character
Stoats are territorial and aggressive animals. It is difficult to handle a stoat, as both males and women are known for biting. A “kit” is a stoat that you have raised from a baby. They are less likely to be aggressive and are therefore easier to handle.
Stoats are happy to live in solitude. In the wild, both males and women live in separate areas and only seek out each other in the summer months for mates. To protect their territory, males tend to be territorial and will mark it with markers. They also have multiple dens where they can take prey species such as rats or rabbits.
Feeding and Care
Stoats are small mammal that eats rabbits and water voles. They are skilled hunters and can kill prey larger than themselves in a single bite. They are also known to eat small rodents, eggs, fruits, and insects.
It is easy to feed a stoat. Regular organ meats are good for them. They are usually fed heart, liver, and sometimes mice. Eggs and small amounts of fruits are also common. Canine cat food is not good for stouts as it lacks the necessary nutrients. Although canned cat food is a popular option for stouts, they still need fresh organ meats in order to thrive.
Suitability
The stoat can be difficult to care for and is rare in captivity. In most U.S. states, keeping stoats in captivity is illegal. There are no licensed breeders. This means that any stoats available for sale will likely be wild-caught and therefore illegal. The owners may not be able to manage the complex needs of a stoat and release them into the wild. This can have devastating effects on local ecosystems.
Ferret Overview
Ferrets can be larger than stoats, but they are usually about the same size as a small cat. According to the American Ferret Association, they are now the third most beloved pet in America after dogs. Most ferrets are domesticated and wild-caught ferrets are rare. The AFA states that a ferret pet can only survive for a few days in the wild if it is released from captivity.
Ferrets can be kept as pets despite the controversy. They are not wild animals and can happily live in a home. They can also be treated as pet dogs or cats because they are friendly and easy to take care of.
Personality/Character
Ferrets make great pets because they are full of personality, character, and charm. They are social animals who love being with their family. They are intelligent and easy to train. Ferrets are playful, and entertaining, and always learn new things as they get older.
There are many personality types of ferrets. Some are introverted and prefer to be alone, while others are more social and playful. Others are like small dogs who love attention and are eager to share their affection.
Training
Ferrets are highly intelligent and curious animals with a remarkable capacity to learn. Ferrets are easy to train and can quickly learn basic commands. They also quickly learn to recognize and respond to their names. A combination of consistent and patient training, along with some treats, is crucial for successfully training a ferret.
It is well-known that ferrets are known for biting and nipping. This behavior should be discouraged as soon as possible. This behavior is not something you can fix. In fact, hitting or harsh reprimands will only make the problem worse. It is best to ignore this behavior and, if it becomes really bad, put your ferret in a cage. This will be a bad habit that they will soon get used to.
Health & Care
Although ferrets are clean by nature, their musky smell is persistent even after they’ve been bathed. The smell of neutered ferrets is usually less noticeable, so most ferrets that are domestic are neutered before they are sold. However, it is important to bathe your ferrets only once per month.
Like cats, ferrets are obligate carnivores. They require a high level of animal-based protein. Ferrets can have digestive problems from both vegetable and grain proteins, so it is important to avoid them. A ferret’s ideal diet is small mammals such as rats and mice, along with occasional meals of chicken or turkey. Ferrets can be fed commercially prepared foods if they are not comfortable eating mice. However, these are quite expensive.
Suitability
For older children and adults with the ability to dedicate their time and care for their pets, ferrets are a great choice. They are easy to take care of, quiet, friendly, and form strong bonds with their owners. They are not able to live with cats or small dogs and may consider them prey. Although larger dogs can be fine, interaction with them should be monitored. Ferrets are best if they are the only pet in the house.
What are the differences?
Although they look very similar, you can easily spot the differences between the two once you learn more about ferrets & stoats. Stoats are half the size of ferrets and can be active all day. They are also much smaller than ferrets and take short naps when they need to. Stoats are not kept as pets.
Ferrets are friendly and intelligent, can be trained, and can be kept in captivity. Although they are active, ferrets are not as active as stoats and sleep in larger chunks than stoats. They are active most of the day, but most often at dusk or dawn.
Stoats are not suitable for keeping as pets. In fact, it is illegal in the majority of the U.S. Because they are hardy and not bred in captivity for their care, stoats that are offered for sale will likely be wild-caught. They are easy to care for, and much less energetic than ferrets.
Is there a connection between the stoat and the ferret?
Mustelid (Mustelidae) refers to a family of carnivorous mammals that includes ferrets, stoats, and weasels.
Do Stoats Attack People?
Stoats frequently live in close proximity to humans, but they are rarely aggressive unless provoked. They are shy and prefer to stay away from humans. If they feel threatened by humans or other predators, they may become aggressive.
Do stoats consume chickens?
Stoats and weasels are ruthless; they kill and steal your birds. These animals are always hungry and looking for something to eat because they have a high metabolism. Some of the most difficult predators to keep at bay are weasels and stoats. They can fit through small gaps and climb high to reach your chickens.
Do stoats enter homes?
Many animals seek shelter as the weather becomes colder. Mice enter properties in any way they can. Stoats will seek out this source of food if they know they’re there and can get into the property.
Stoats cause what kinds of problems?
Their impact on threatened and endangered species, particularly nesting birds and chicks, is of particular concern. Stoats are extremely agile climbers who prey on adult and young birds and raid nests for eggs, wreaking havoc on native birds.
Stoats are they aggressive?
Short-tailed weasels, also known as ermines, are very active animals. They have a lot of energy and can move like lightning, easily running in and out of small spaces. Stoats are also extremely aggressive creatures. This is because of natural territoriality.
Do stoats cause harm?
A stoat can cause significant damage. It, like a fox, will kill many birds before eating only one. They can be particularly difficult to shoot because they are fast-moving, you rarely see them, and they usually hunt at night.
Squeak stoats?
Whisper is very quiet, in contrast to most baby stoats, which squeak loudly whenever they are hungry.
What is the distinction between ferrets, stoats, and weasels?
Physical. Stoats and weasels are smaller than black-footed ferrets. The ferret is also distinguished from the others by its black mask, feet, and tail tip. Stoats and weasels have brown top coats with white or yellow bellies in the summer.