The black-footed ferret ( Mustela nigripes) is the rarest mammal in North America. It is extremely endangered. Ferrets are similar to minks and weasels. They are about 21 inches long.

Ferrets produce one litter of about 3 to 5 young per year, after a gestation period of about 40 days.

The habitat of the black-footed ferret is in the prairies of Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. These ferrets feed primarily on prairie dogs. Due to the reduction of this food source, the ferrets are close to extinction.

Ferrets will also feed on mice, gophers, ground squirrels, birds, eggs and reptiles.

You can own your own Black-footed ferret. The black-footed ferrets shown above include Jerrett the Ferret from Douglas Cuddle Toys (left), Sable the Ferret from Aurora, and Ferris the Ferret (right) made by Bearington Collectibles. Check the Gift Shop to see if there are any ferrets for sale.

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Other animals that you can find in the forest are:
Aardvark | Anteater | Armadillo | Badgers | Bat | Beaver | Bears | Bighorn | Boar | Bobcat | Chipmunk | Cougar | Deer | Elk | Ferret | Fox | Groundhog | Hedgehog | Kangaroo Rat | Lynx | Marmot | Moose | Mouse | Opossum | Porcupine | Potbelly Pig | Rabbit | Raccoon | Reindeer | Squirrel | Sloth | Skunk | Tapir | Tarsier | Weasel | Wolf | Wolverine

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