American polecat. Description of the American Black-footed ferret. Lifestyle and nutrition
American black-footed ferrets are, unfortunately, in danger of becoming extinct. The number of American ferrets is extremely small. This is due to human development of the places where ferrets lived, as well as the fight against prairie dogs, which are the main source of food for ferrets.
The features of the black-footed ferret include a long neck, a very squat, elongated body with very short legs. Its weight is more than 1 kg. The black-footed ferret is so similar to the steppe ferret that it may only be a subspecies of it. American black-footed ferrets lead night image
life. These animals have superbly developed senses of smell, hearing and vision. As already mentioned, American ferrets are extremely dependent on prairie dogs. Ferrets occupy their homes and also feed on these animals. The prairie dog's burrow, which is then occupied by a ferret, can reach a length of up to 300 m.
It should be noted that males lead a more active lifestyle than females. However, during cold weather, the activity of ferrets decreases significantly, and the area they survey decreases. On snowy days, the American ferret does not leave its shelter at all and feeds exclusively on its own reserves.
American ferrets move in leaps or at a slow gallop. In one night, a ferret can walk or gallop up to 10 km and reach speeds of up to 11 km/h. Males move around the area almost 2 times more than females.
Black-footed ferret color American ferrets have white fur at the base. At the ends of the hairline their fur is somewhat darker. Thus, the overall coloration of the ferret gives a yellowish-brown color. The legs and tip of the tail are black. American ferret
, like its brothers, has a characteristic “black face” mask. This color scheme helps American ferrets to be invisible and hide from danger.
Distribution area and habitat Black-footed ferrets live in. It is worth recalling that these horis are now an endangered species. They are listed in the International Red Book. Basically, these animals live in prairies (with low and medium-height grass cover). In addition, the polecat can climb high into the mountains, up to 3000 m above sea level.
Hunting and the black-footed ferret
Ferrets can mostly be found in prairie dog habitats. As mentioned earlier, prairie dogs are the main part of the black-footed ferret's diet. However, American ferrets also hunt rabbits, gophers and birds.
Enemies of the black-footed ferret
The main reason for the extinction of black-footed ferrets is habitat loss. Cultivation of fields and meadows, as well as widespread prairie dog eradication programs, have significantly reduced the habitat of American ferrets. Remaining habitats are currently associated with prairie dog colonies.
The black-footed ferret eats over 100 prairie dogs in approximately one year. Based on this data, scientists have determined that it takes over 250 prairie dogs to support one family of ferrets for a year.
Kira Stoletova
The Red Book is complete various types animals that are on the verge of extinction or have disappeared completely. Among them is the American Black-footed Ferret. This animal belongs to the mustelid family and, due to the fault of poachers, has practically disappeared from the mainland. Thanks to the efforts of livestock breeders and local historians, Black-footed ferrets are gradually restoring their population.
This is a very unusual animal both in color and habits. Its habitat and historical homeland- North America, they are now actively grown there. After they were included in the Red Book, they began to actively protect them, and now any hunt for these animals is strictly punishable by law.
Description of American Blackfoot ferrets
The description of this type of trochee is worth special attention, because this breed has remarkable appearance features.
Distinctive features of Black-footed ferrets:
- The ferret has a long, elongated body and neck, short and thick legs.
- The fur color of such animals is yellow-brown, darker on the back, and generally turns black toward the tail and paws (hence the name Black-footed Ferret).
- A distinctive feature of this particular breed of trochees is the so-called mask around the eyes (the color of the fur around the eyes of such animals is black).
- This type of trochee has large, rounded eyes that stand out on a white muzzle, where a black nose is also visible.
- The shape of the claws is pointed and slightly curved.
- The average weight of a female ranges from 650 to 850 g, while a male can reach a weight of 1200 g.
- According to average indicators, the body length of the described trochees is 350-600 cm, and according to statistics, females are always 10% smaller than the male representatives of this breed.
So expressive appearance leaves almost no one indifferent, which is why the skins of such animals are highly valued by hunters, although it is important to remember that now the Red Book contains the name American Black-footed Ferret, which automatically prohibits any activity aimed at depopulating the species.
American Black-footed Crochet can be seen in nature reserves in North America. Or, if there is no opportunity to visit another continent, anyone can easily admire photos of the Black-footed Ferret on the Internet.
Habitat
The black-footed ferret is an animal that was quite common until the beginning of the last century. The historical range of the animals is the territory stretching from the south of Canada to the north of Mexico. For North America this type is the only indigenous representative. Today, tourists can observe the described ferrets only in 3 territorial limits in the northeast of Montana, in the western part of South Dakota and in the southeast of the state. Wyoming. In addition to natural habitats, people can also see how the American ferret behaves in a zoo or nature reserve. In places of natural settlement, the population was restored. The restoration continues to this day.
Knowing the range of these animals, it is quite easy to guess about their living conditions:
- Steppe and hilly terrain in the vastness of North America.
- a haven for American trochees Often an abandoned hole left by a prairie dog becomes abandoned (in such holes it is easier for animals to make tunnels and hide from hunting).
- To obtain food, one representative of this breed, on average, requires quite a lot of space: within 40-45 hectares.
- Females with offspring require even more space to survive: up to 55 hectares.
- One male can introduce several females into the habitat at once.
The black-footed ferret is a freedom-loving creature that requires a large amount of free space for normal existence. Such animals do not tolerate restrictions and even in zoos they always receive a larger territory.
No less interesting is the life of such animals: the lifestyle they lead should be given special attention. The relationship to the mustelid family left its mark on the habits and habits of polecats.
Lifestyle and nutrition
The American ferret is predominantly nocturnal. This is a predatory animal whose activity occurs at night. Having a good sense of smell and even more acute hearing, representatives of this breed can easily navigate without sunlight. Their black coat allows them to remain less noticeable.
During the hunt, representatives of this species climb into the holes of their victims (small rodents), where they deal with the prey, and then settle for a while. They are fast and agile, thanks to the structure of their body.
The black-footed ferret is a solitary animal. He does not try to get into the flock and only creates a pair during the breeding season.
With all these qualities, the American ferret is a friendly animal and non-aggressive towards representatives of its species.
The diet for such animals consists of large quantity options:
- small rodents hiding in holes;
- large insects;
- small birds, etc.
These cute at first glance animals are still predators. According to statistics from livestock farmers, one black-footed ferret consumes about 100 prairie dogs during the year. In reserves they are specially fed, and the cubs are given milk. In the 80s of the last century, all animals kept in captivity were released into a free habitat in order to restore the population and save the species from extinction.
Conclusion
The American ferret is a rare animal, but beautiful and unusual. The fact that it is included in the Red Book only gives this breed an aura of mystery and makes it even more interesting for others and tourists.
Black-footed ferret
15x4 - 15 minutes about the resurrection of species
Which Bear Is Best?
If possible, then it is definitely worth watching such ferrets, because, in addition to all external indicators, they are unusually cute, and their black fur remains forever in the memory of observers.
American ferret, also known as black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes)- small carnivorous mammal from the weasel family (Mustelidae). In the last century, the American ferret has virtually disappeared from the wild in North America, but thanks to the hard work of research centers to artificial breeding, the population of these animals is gradually reviving.
Description
The black-footed ferret has a long body and yellowish-brown fur. On the back, the coat color is dark. The end of the tail and legs are black. There is a black mask around the eyes. The ferret has large, rounded ears; the muzzle, forehead and neck are white, and the nose is black. The neck is elongated; paws are short and thick. The fingers have pointed, slightly curved claws. The weight of females varies between 645 - 850 grams, and males - 915 - 1.125 grams. The body length of black-footed ferrets is 380 - 600 mm. Females are usually 10% smaller than males.
Area
Historically, the American ferret's range included areas of North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico. This the only kind ferrets, whose homeland is North America. Today, they can be found in three places: northeastern part Montana, West Side South Dakota, and southeastern Wyoming. All three sites are sites where the black-footed ferret population has recovered after being extirpated. This subspecies can also be found in seven zoos and breeding centers.
Habitat
Black-footed ferrets can be found in the grasslands and hills of North America. They live in abandoned prairie dog burrows and use these complex underground tunnels for shelter and hunting. Each ferret typically requires about 40-48 hectares of space in which the animals obtain food. A female with cubs needs 55 hectares of territory to survive. The ranges of males may overlap with the territories of several females.
Reproduction
Females reach sexual maturity at one year of age. Breeding usually occurs in March and April. When a male and a female come into contact with each other during estrus, he sniffs her genitals, but does not take any action. active actions several hours, which differs from the aggressive behavior of the European ferret. When mating, the male grabs the female by the back of her head. The duration of copulation is 1.5-3 hours. The gestation period ranges from 35 to 45 days. 1-6 cubs are born in a litter. The young remain in the burrow for approximately 42 days. IN summer months, the females remain with the cubs and separate in the fall when the young ferrets achieve their independence. During the mating season, females actively pursue males.
Lifespan
Captive, average duration The lifespan of an American ferret is 12 years.
Nutrition
Black-footed ferrets primarily feed on prairie dogs. However, they sometimes eat mice, gophers and other small animals. Typically, a ferret consumes 50-70 grams of meat per day. It has been observed that American ferrets do not store killed prey in hiding places.
Behavior
This species prefers a nocturnal lifestyle, activity begins at dusk. In winter, ferrets reduce their activity and sometimes remain in their burrows for up to a week. Black-footed ferrets are subterranean animals that use prairie dog burrows for movement and shelter. They are solitary animals, except during the breeding season. Males take absolutely no part in raising their offspring. Black-footed ferrets are territorial animals and actively defend their territory from other same-sex competitors. Ferrets are considered alert, active and curious mammals, and are known to have a keen sense of smell, vision, and hearing. They rely on olfactory communication (urination, defecation) to maintain their dominance and find their way during nocturnal travel. American ferrets are noisy mammals that chirp and hiss. wildlife when they are afraid of something or scare someone.
Economic value for humans: Positive
Black-footed ferrets help control the population of prairie dogs, which are sometimes viewed as pests because of their burrowing behavior and their potential to carry zoonotic diseases such as bubonic plague.
Economic significance for humans: Negative
American ferrets are often considered pests by ranchers. Tunnel systems used by ferrets and prairie dogs cause injury to the animals.
Security status
The species is considered the rarest mammal in North America. The ferret population has suffered greatly due to the extermination of prairie dogs. Cattlemen hunted prairie dogs due to pasture destruction (tunneling and foraging). In 1985, the rodent population numbered 31 individuals, and by 1987 - 18. It was decided to place the surviving ferrets in zoos and begin breeding them in captivity using artificial insemination. This is one of the first examples of assisted reproduction helping to conserve endangered species in .
As of 2013, approximately 1,200 ferrets live in the wild. Today, the population is growing, but is still under threat and, according to the International Red Book, is listed as an endangered species.
American ferret or this ferret's fur
The first letter is "i"
Second letter "l"
The third letter "b"
The last letter of the letter is "a"
Answer for the question "American ferret or the fur of this ferret", 5 letters:
Ilka
Alternative crossword puzzle questions for the word ilka
Sister marten
Marten fisherman, pecan
Predator of the mustelid family
Another name for fishing marten
Definition of the word ilka in dictionaries
Wikipedia
Meaning of the word in the Wikipedia dictionary
Ilka - East Siberian station railway on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Located in the village of Ilka, Zaigraevsky district of Buryatia, at 5722 kilometers of the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Big Soviet Encyclopedia
The meaning of the word in the dictionary Great Soviet Encyclopedia
pecan, fishing marten (Martes pennanti), a mammal of the mustelidae family of the order Carnivora. Most major representative kind of martens; body length 50≈65 cm, tail ≈ 35≈40 cm. Dark coloring. I. is widespread in North America.
New explanatory dictionary of the Russian language, T. F. Efremova.
The meaning of the word in the dictionary New explanatory dictionary of the Russian language, T. F. Efremova.
and. A predatory animal of the mustelid family with valuable dark brown fur. Fur, the skin of such an animal. decomposition Products made from fur, skins of such animals.
Examples of the use of the word ilka in literature.
And with the money that the gold-toothed seducer offered, it was possible to buy a lot more, and even a bicycle, so that during the holidays Ilek go for a swim.
I remember on one of these days we went to the river Ilek, then still full-flowing, not polluted by factory discharges.
The river of his childhood died - Ilek, with numerous beautiful beaches, the tulip fields behind its high steep slopes disappeared, dragonflies, butterflies, and grasshoppers disappeared completely from the meadows, dried up and turned into lake swamps with crucian carp and lilies, with duck hunting in the fall.
The close smell of water hit the half-open window and reminded Ilek- the river of his childhood.
During my childhood Ilek He was not only a breadwinner and water-drinker, but also the beauty of the region, dozens of generations grew up on its banks, thousands and thousands dream of him.