Black-Footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes)

Black-Footed ferrets are found in short-grass and mixed-grass prairies in the central part of North America.

Eric Welsh

Other Facts

• The Ferret has a long slender body, about 20 inches long.

• It has a black mask, feet and tail.

Why the Black-Footed ferret is endangered.

This Species is endangered because of exotic diseases and wide spread destructions of their

habitat. Today, ferrets are making a come back; there are 500 Black-Footed ferrets today

and 300 ferrets living in captive breeding facilities.

How many Black-Footed Ferrets there are in sub-species?

Ferret Population

Black-TailedWhite-TailedGunnison

17 White-Tailed194 Black-Tailed40 Gunnison

Map of Black-Footed Ferrets

Threats of the Black-Footed Ferret

In 1987, only 18 Black-Footed ferrets existed in their natural habitat. Scientists captured

these ferrets, to initiate a breeding and reintroduction program. It has been

successful! As of 2011, as a result of these efforts there are approximately 500-1000

Black-Footed Ferrets in the wild, and another 300 living in breeding facilities.

How important is the Black-Footed Ferret?

They kill prairie dogs that carry plague and or eat grasslands.

How can we help this species?

Captive breeding will help the black-footed ferrets from extinction and make sure they have enough food to eat and are away from

diseases.

What problems do conservationist and wildlife have?

They face threats from predators such as golden eagles, owls and coyotes.

Reintroduced animals lack some survival skills so their mortally rate is high.

Citations of the Black-Footed Ferret

• http://www.blackfootedferret.org • Miller, Brain, Prairie Night: black-footed ferrets

and the recovery of endangered species, Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution, Press, c1996.

• http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/black-footed-ferret/

The Black-Footed Ferret (Video)