The Facts of Female Ferrets

If you have recently purchased a female ferret, you may not know much about the animal. However, it is important to know more about these animals in order to care for them properly.  In this article, you will find information regarding ferrets of the female gender.

Is your Female Ferret actually a Female?

It is important to double check the gender of your ferret to ensure that it is in fact a female. It is possible for individuals to mix up male and female ferrets if they are unfamiliar with how to differentiate between the two.

If the ferret is in fact a female, then the ferret’s genitalia will be located between the hind legs of the ferret, below the tail.

You do not need to worry about getting a male confused with a female ferret because the genitalia’s of male and female ferrets are so different. If the ferret was of the male gender, then the genitalia would be located on the center area of the ferret’s abdomen.

The Different Names for Female Ferrets

There are different names for female ferrets depending on status. Here are the names for female ferrets and the reason for these different classifications:

  • A female ferret is commonly referred to as a “Jill.”
  • A female ferret who has not been spayed is referred to as “Jill.”
  • A female ferret who has been spayed is called a “Sprite.”
  • A female ferret who has a litter of young is referred to as a “Dam.”

The Facts of Female Ferret Reproduction

If you are the owner of a “Jill”, then there are some things that you need to know concerning mating. Once a “Jill” ferret is in heat, she will remain in that state until she has mated with a male ferret. If you do not plan to let your ferret mate with a male ferret, then you can visit a veterinarian and have them inject your ferret with a hormone injection that will end the heat.

If you do decide to mate your “Jill” with a male ferret and your ferret becomes pregnant, then you can expect your ferret’s pregnancy to last over a time period of about a month. Generally, the normal time span of pregnancy in ferrets last around forty to forty four days.