Any ferret owner will tell you that one of the best ferret characteristics is their tendency for exuberance! It’s impossible to ignore the antics of an ecstatically chattering, dancing ferret. My boys Hocus and Pocus are both a year and a half old, and impossible to tire out. Hocus is a definite “dooker” and will dash about clucking to himself at the least excitement, while Pocus tries endlessly to wrestle, no matter his opponent. Here’s a video of the two of them in their play-place, where you can see some of the classic ferret “war dance” craziness, and if you turn it up, hear some dooking:
My third ferret is my “little girl,” but at seven-plus years old, she’s more of a fussy old lady. After about ten minutes of getting pounced on and chewed by the boys, Trouble is snippy and ready to nap. What gets her to dance these days is being loose in the (ferret-proofed) kitchen, where she can enjoy open space and towel rides with her relatively calm humans. There’s something about waving a towel or blanket at a ferret that makes her go nuts – remember those days in elementary school gym when they let you play with that giant parachute? That was always my favorite too.
Ferret with a blanket
Anything that makes noise is an instant hit. It means that paper bags, crackle sacks and chirping stuffed toys have to be put away whenever it’s time to watch a movie or try to sleep. Luckily, nobody’s figured out how to squeak their own squeakers yet, but I’m not convinced that will last.
By far, though, a ferret’s favorite toy is a human. No blanket or jingle ball is as interesting to them as a person! It was hard to video more than a few moments of Hocus and Pocus in play, because as soon as they notice a watcher, they dash over and wait to be picked up. While ferrets are not typically snuggly animals, they are extremely personable, and very obviously depend on human company and interaction.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh too cute Keri! Thanks for sharing this!
Love the video! Too cute!