Weasel vs. Ferret: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Weasels are small, wild carnivorous mammals with a slender body, while ferrets are domesticated animals, larger and more robust, commonly kept as pets.
Key Differences
Weasels have a slim, elongated body and are usually wild animals. Ferrets, in contrast, are a domesticated form of the European polecat and have a more robust build.
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Dec 12, 2023
Weasels are known for their agile and predatory nature, living in the wild. Ferrets, being domesticated, are more accustomed to human interaction and can be playful and sociable.
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Dec 12, 2023
Weasels are found in a variety of wild habitats and are solitary animals. Ferrets, on the other hand, are kept as pets and live in human homes or controlled environments.
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Dec 12, 2023
Weasels hunt and eat small mammals and birds in the wild. Ferrets, being domesticated, are usually fed a diet prepared by their owners, often consisting of commercially available ferret food.
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Dec 12, 2023
Some weasel species are considered vulnerable or endangered due to habitat loss and other factors. Ferrets, as domestic animals, don’t face such threats but rely on human care and breeding.
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Dec 12, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Weasel and Ferret Definitions
Weasel
A deceitful or treacherous person.
Don't trust him; he's a real weasel.
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Dec 05, 2023
Ferret
A ferret used for hunting rabbits.
In medieval times, ferrets were used to flush out rabbits.
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Dec 05, 2023
Weasel
To extract information or a confession subtly.
She weaseled the truth out of her brother.
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Ferret
A tool or device used to locate or retrieve lost items.
He used a ferret to retrieve his keys from behind the couch.
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Weasel
A small, slender carnivorous mammal.
The weasel darted through the underbrush.
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Ferret
To search or investigate persistently.
He ferreted through the files for evidence.
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Weasel
To evade or escape from a situation or obligation cunningly.
He weaseled out of doing his chores.
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Ferret
A domesticated mammal related to the weasel, often kept as a pet.
She adopted a playful ferret from the shelter.
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Weasel
A sneaky or cunning maneuver.
That was quite a weasel move at the meeting.
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Ferret
A domesticated mustelid mammal (Mustela furo syn. Mustela putorius subsp. furo) with an elongated flexible body, often kept as a pet and sometimes trained to hunt rats or rabbits.
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Dec 01, 2023
Weasel
Any of various carnivorous mammals of the genus Mustela, having a long slender body, a long tail, short legs, and brownish fur that in many species turns white in winter.
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Dec 01, 2023
Weasel
Any of the carnivorous mammals of the genus Mustela, having a slender body, a long tail and usually a light brown upper coat and light-coloured belly.
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Ferret
To uncover and bring to light by searching. Often used with out
"Their work merely points the way for others to ferret out the core components of all proteins" (Natalie Angier).
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Dec 01, 2023
Weasel
A type of yarn winder used for counting the yardage of handspun yarn. It most commonly has a wooden peg or dowel that pops up from the gearing mechanism after a certain number of yards have been wound onto the winder.
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Dec 01, 2023
Ferret
An often domesticated mammal (Mustela putorius furo) rather like a weasel, descended from the polecat and often trained to hunt burrowing animals.
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Weasel
Any one of various species of small carnivores belonging to the genus Putorius, as the ermine and ferret. They have a slender, elongated body, and are noted for the quickness of their movements and for their bloodthirsty habit in destroying poultry, rats, etc. The ermine and some other species are brown in summer, and turn white in winter; others are brown at all seasons.
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Dec 01, 2023
Ferret
(dated) A tape of silk, cotton, or ribbon, used to tie documents, clothing, etc. or along the edge of fabric.
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Weasel
Small carnivorous mammal with short legs and elongated body and neck
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Ferret
An animal of the Weasel family (Mustela furo syn. Putorius furo), about fourteen inches in length, of a pale yellow or white color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used to drive rabbits and rats out of their holes. They are sometimes kept as pets.
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Dec 01, 2023
Ferret
A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of cotton or silk; - called also ferreting.
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Ferret
The iron used for trying the melted glass to see if is fit to work, and for shaping the rings at the mouths of bottles.
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Ferret
To drive or hunt out of a lurking place, as a ferret does the cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts; - often used with out; as, to ferret out a secret.
Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him.
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Dec 01, 2023
Ferret
Domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits
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Ferret
Search and discover through persistent investigation;
She ferreted out the truth
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Ferret
To drive out something hidden or elusive.
The detective ferreted out the truth.
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Dec 05, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can weasels be domesticated like ferrets?
Weasels are typically wild and not suited for domestication like ferrets.
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Dec 12, 2023
What is a ferret?
A domesticated mammal related to the weasel, often kept as a pet.
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Dec 12, 2023
What do ferrets eat?
Ferrets are carnivores and usually eat commercially prepared ferret food.
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Where do weasels live in the wild?
Weasels live in a variety of environments, including forests and grasslands.
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How long do ferrets live as pets?
Ferrets typically live for 6 to 10 years.
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Are weasels aggressive?
Weasels can be aggressive, especially when threatened.
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Can ferrets be trained?
Yes, ferrets can be trained to do simple tasks and tricks.
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What is the natural habitat of a weasel?
Natural habitats include forests, grasslands, and marshes.
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Do ferrets get along with other pets?
It varies; ferrets can get along with some pets but may be aggressive to others.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can weasels be kept as pets?
Keeping weasels as pets is generally not advised due to their wild nature.
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Dec 12, 2023
Do ferrets make good pets?
Yes, ferrets can be playful and affectionate pets.
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Dec 12, 2023
Are ferrets noisy pets?
Ferrets are relatively quiet but can make soft vocalizations.
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How do weasels hunt?
Weasels hunt by using their agility to catch small animals.
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Dec 12, 2023
What do weasels eat?
Weasels eat small mammals, birds, and occasionally insects.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can ferrets be let loose outside?
It's not recommended to let ferrets loose outside as they may not survive.
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Dec 12, 2023
Do ferrets need special care?
Yes, ferrets need proper diet, grooming, and regular veterinary care.
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Are ferrets prone to any health issues?
Ferrets can be prone to certain diseases, including adrenal gland disorders and insulinoma.
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Dec 12, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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