FERRET, a domesticated breed of the wild polecat (Putorius foetidus), which it resembles in size, form and habits, and with which it interbreeds. It differs in the colour of its fur, which is usually yellowish-white, and of its eyes, which are pinky-red. he "polecat-ferret" is a brown breed, apparently the product of the above-mentioned cross. The ferret attains a length of about 14in., exclusive of the tail, which measures sin. It is employed in de stroying rats and other vermin, and in driving rabbits from their burrows. The ferret is remarkably prolific, the female bringing forth two broods annually, each numbering from six to nine young. Pliny states it was employed in his time in rabbit-hunting.
The ferret should be kept in dry, clean, well-ventilated hutches, and fed twice daily on bread, milk, and meat, such as rabbits' and fowls' livers. When used to hunt rabbits it is provided with a muzzle or with a cope, made by looping and knotting twine about the head and snout, in order to prevent it killing its quarry. As the ferret enters the hole, the rabbits flee before it, and are shot as they break ground. A ferret's hold on its quarry is as obstinate as that of a bulldog, but can easily be broken by pressure of the thumb just above the eyes. Only full-grown ferrets are "worked to" rats. Several are used at a time and without copes, as rats are fierce fighters.
See N. Everitt, Ferrets (1897) .