Ferret Biology

Like many other carnivores, ferrets have scent glands near the anus which they use to mark territory and it is shown that ferrets can identify whether a mark was left by a male or a female.

Like the skunk a ferret can use their glands when excited or scared, but the odour disappears quickly. Most ferrets sold in the United States with the glands removed. However, it is not true to say that taking away their scent glands prevents smells this is a fallacy.

The surgery was to remove the smell glands but these glands secrete a natural lubricant for the stool that is very necessary and the removal is a delicate and dangerous operation which usually hurts them.

These glands rarely expel gases in situations of stress or danger and disappear immediately, and the real cause of the odour of ferrets is a series of glands located mainly at the base of the neck, but there are spread throughout the body, which secrete an oil that helps protect your hair and produce a more intense odour in the mating season.

In the United States many ferrets suffer various health problems. The most common are cancers affecting the adrenal gland, pancreas and lymphatic system.