VII. Ferret
A. General
1. Male–Hob
2. Female–Jill
3. Young–Kit
4. Group–Business or Fesynes
B. Breeding Age
1. Puberty
a. 1 year in spring after birth
2. Reproductive life
a. 7
years
C. Cyclicity
1. Type and Season of Cycle
a. Seasonally Polyestrous
b. April-August
2. Length of Sexual Cycle
a. Undefined
b. Pseudopregnancy–40-42 days
3. Duration of Heat (Estrus)
a. 5 months in absence of male
b. Jills not to be bred need to be spayed
4. Time of Ovulation
a. Induced ovulator
b. 30 hours postcopulation
5. Viability of Ova
a. 30 hours
D. Copulation
1. Prolonged mating period–1-3 hours to complete
E. Pregnancy
1. Gestation
a. 41-42 days
F. Parturition/Lactation
1. Parturition
a. Leave Jill in seclusion
b. Cannibalism of kits not uncommon
2. Littersize
a. 2-17 (8) pups
3. Mammary Glands
a. 6-8
4. Weaning age
a. 3 weeks
5. First estrus after parturition
a. Fertile weaning heat
b. Breeding not recommended
