Ferrets are small mammals from the Mustelidae family that people have domesticated since 2,500 years ago.
Historically, people domesticated ferrets for hunting, as the small animals can get down to burrows to chase rabbits out.
And now, the adorable ferrets make great pets due to their curiosity and friendly nature.
But can you find other animals similar to ferrets in terms of physical characteristics and behavior?
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And in this article, we’ll explore these animals that, in one way or another, share similarities with ferrets.
You’ll also learn to differentiate these animals from ferrets and know if you can keep them as pets.
Read: Animals Similar to Raccoons
Learning a few things about ferrets goes a long way in pointing out the similarities (and differences) they share with other animals.
Ferrets have long, slender bodies and furry tails.
They’ve various colorations, including black, brown, white, or a blend of these colors, with white patches on the toes and throats.
They’ve cone-shaped noses, short limbs, and long claws.
Ferrets live in social groups and like making burrows.
As domesticated animals, ferrets happily coexist with humans at home, except the
endangered black-footed ferret that lives in the wild.
Ferrets are carnivores that munch on small animals since their time in the wild.
Some owners, however, try to give the pets a natural diet by providing pre-killed meat, including mice.
17 Types of Animals Similar To Ferrets
The European polecat is a mustelid native to North Africa and western Eurasia.
European polecats are the most similar animals to ferrets.
From body shapes and sizes, from short legs to long claws, these polecats resemble ferrets such that many people often confuse the two relatives.
What’s more, the two animals share a lot in genetics, leading to many people crossbreeding the two to get offspring, called hybrids.
Prime differences between European polecats and ferrets
Polecats have larger heads than their counterparts European polecats have dark noses, while the color is only limited to the face in ferrets
Can you domesticate European polecats?
No, it’s illegal to keep polecats as pets.
Weasels are small, vicious predators, famously known for killing as huge prey as deer.
Although weasels are shorter than ferrets, they share several physical characteristics, including long slender bodies, long tails, and short legs.
Furthermore, weasels are mustelids and carnivorous animals that exhibit a polygamous lifestyle, like their cousins.
Prime differences between weasels and ferrets
Weasels are shorter than ferrets, usually 40 centimetersWeasels have typical red-brown coats with white bellies, while ferrets are black, brown, or a mixture of the colors
Can you domesticate weasels?
It’s not only impossible but also illegal to domesticate weasels.
3. Black-footed ferrets
The endangered black-footed ferrets are small predators that live in central North America.
Because the black-footed ferret shares a name with the ferrets, you’d think the animal also displays several gene similarities with its counterpart, like the European polecat.
But the lack of similar genes doesn’t stop the two animals from resembling each other.
In terms of body shape, the two animals look like each other.
In fact, you can mistake a black-footed ferret for a typical ferret because of its coloration.
Prime difference between black-footed ferrets and ferrets
Black-footed ferrets are only found in the wild
Can you domesticate black-footed ferrets?
The animals live in the wild, and you’re not allowed to domesticate them.
Read: Animals Similar to Beavers
The largest of all land-dwelling mustelids, wolverines are scavengers and voracious hunters, known for a badass reputation of going after as big animals as the moose.
Although wolverines look more like small bears than ferrets, the animals have several similarities.
First, they share the same family and have similar short legs and round heads.
Secondly, wolverines are polygamous and produce a musky odor to resemble ferrets in terms of behavior.
Prime differences between wolverines and ferrets
Can you domesticate the wolverines?
There are two species of minks, the American mink and the European mink, named after their native regions, although you can find American mink in Europe, where it has fled the exploitative fur farms.
Although all minks are slightly larger than ferrets, usually around 55 centimeters, the animals are similar in several respects.
Minks are mustelids with body shapes mimicking those of their distant cousins.
Prime differences between minks and ferrets
Most minks have dark-colored fur, although you can still brown individuals.Minks are bigger than ferrets
Can you domesticate minks?
Minks are domesticated, not as pets, but for their valuable fur.
Martens are weasel-like mammals that inhabit various parts of the world, including North America, Asia, and Europe.
Martens are mustelids and are roughly the same size as ferrets.
They also have the body types of ferrets, including long furry tails, round heads, and short legs.
And like wild ancestors of ferrets, martens are solitary creatures.
Main differences between martens and ferrets
Martens can partially retract their claws, while this ability is only an imagination in ferrets Although minks are carnivores, they won’t say no to fruits
Can you domesticate martens?
While they make poor pets, it’s illegal to own martens.
Also called ermines, stoats are aggressive mustelids native to Eurasia and some parts of North America.
Stoats share several physical characteristics with ferrets, including slender bodies, short legs, long tails, and non-retractable claws.
Stoats also belong to the same family as ferrets, and behavioral similarities include being carnivorous and polygamous, like their cousins.
Prime difference between stoats and ferrets
The coat color of stoats changes to white, apart from the eyes and tail tip as autumn approaches
Can you domesticate stoats?
Due to their aggressive behavior, the cute animals are not appropriate as pets.
The eight subspecies of badgers are similar to ferrets in two main ways.
First, badgers are mustelids that produce a smelly substance from their anal glands, like ferrets.
Secondly, male badgers have multiple partners, like their polygamous cousins.
Physical similarities include short legs and ears.
Prime differences between badgers and ferrets
Badgers are significantly larger than ferretsThey also have a characteristic black and white striped face mask
Can you domesticate badgers?
Skunks are small, docile mammals from the Mephitidae family.
Belonging to different families doesn’t stop skunks from having similarities with ferrets.
Like their counterparts, the skunks have slender bodies, short legs, and long claws.
Also, skunks produce a powerful, foul-smelling substance from their anal scent glands, which is one of the reasons why they’re known.
Prime difference between skunks and ferrets
Most skunks are black and white, although a few individuals are brown or gray
Can you domesticate skunks?
Meerkats are small, cute, adorable mammals that inhabit the arid deserts of southern Africa.
Although meerkats belong to the mongoose family, they share several characteristics with ferrets.
The mongooses have slender bodies, tiny legs with long claws, and are roughly the same size as the ferrets.
Prime differences between meerkats and ferrets
Meerkats’ coat color is a mixture of brown and orangeMeerkats have lightly striped backs
Can you domesticate meerkats?
Tayras are weasel-like mammals native to subtropical and tropical forests of South America except for Paraguay.
Tayras belong to the Mustelidae family and thus have several ferret-like features, including long slender bodies and round ears.
And like wild ancestors of ferrets, tayras live in burrows they’ve put no effort into building.
Prime differences between tayras and ferrets
Tayras are significantly larger than ferrets, usually about 90 centimeters longThey have short, curved claws
Can you domesticate tayras?
Although playful like ferrets, tayras make poor pets because of their restless behavior.
Fishers are small, pretty aggressive mustelids native to North America.
The carnivorous animals are nothing but huge, wild ferrets with brown coats, fluff tails, long and slender bodies, and small rounded ears.
Prime difference between fishers and ferrets
Fishers are gigantic compared to ferrets, usually 83 centimeters
Can you domesticate fishers?
Civets are elusive, mysterious mammals native to the tropical forests of Africa and Asia.
Civets belong to the mongoose family, but some ferrets-like features, including elongated bodies, small rounded ears, and furry tails, are not elusive to point out.
Also, the civets, like ferrets, have anal glands that produce a stink-smelling substance.
Prime difference between civets and ferrets
Civets are significantly larger than ferrets, and their coat color is black with white or yellow markings
Can you domesticate civets?
A mongoose is a small terrestrial mammal from the Herpestidae family.
While the mongoose and ferrets belong to different families, the two animals are similar in terms of appearance.
You can easily confuse a mongoose with some ferrets, thanks to their body color, petite legs, and small rounded ears.
Also, some mongooses are the same as many ferrets.
Prime difference between mongoose and ferrets
The mongooses are stocky-bodied
Can you domesticate a mongoose?
Because of that, the hybrids are similar to the original ferrets in many aspects, especially body shapes, from little legs to rounded ears and heads to coat fur color.
Prime differences between Polecat-Ferrets and ferrets
It’s hard to distinguish the two animals in terms of physical characteristics.
Can you domesticate Polecat-Ferrets?
Yes, but as mentioned, the hybrids can be a nuisance, especially if they’re more polecats.
Otters are small mustelids classified according to their habitats.
All species of otters are related to the ferrets and thus have several characteristics, including long slender bodies, small rounded ears, and short limbs.
And, like most mustelids, otters are carnivores.
Prime difference between otters and ferrets
Otters have webbed feet as the prime distinguishing feature
Can you domesticate otters?
Yes, so long as you tolerate their loud noise and aggressive behavior.
Greater grisons are small mustelids native only to the Americas.
The small mammals are related to the ferrets and thus share several of the same physical characteristics, including long slender bodies, short legs, and small rounded ears.
Physical features aside, the grisons are carnivores and have powerful odor scent glands, like the ferrets.
Prime difference between grisons and ferrets
The distinct long necks of grison is the main distinguishing feature.
Can you domesticate grisons?
Grisons make affectionate pets if domesticated at a young age.
READ: 13 Different Big-lipped Animals (With Pictures)
Animals that look like ferrets include weasels, mink, polecats, badgers, and civets.
Ferrets are domesticated animal that is most closely related to the weasel.
Ferrets are also recognizable for their distinct markings and black coloring.
However, there are some animals out there that share similarities with ferrets and might be mistaken for them.
In this blog post, we will take a look at some of those animals.
So, if you’re ever wondering if an animal you see looks like a ferret, keep reading.
Examples of Animals that Look Like Ferrets
Examples of Animals that Look Like Ferrets
1. Amazon Weasel
1. Amazon Weasel
Scientific NameMustela africanaType of AnimalMammalRangethe Amazon basin
The Amazon weasel ( Mustela africana) is a species of weasel that is native to South America.
It shares many similarities with the ferret, including its long, slender body and black fur.
For one, the Amazon weasel is much smaller than the ferret, with a body length of only 12-18 inches.
Additionally, the Amazon weasel has a white stripe running down its back, whereas ferrets do not.
Related Article: Is a Weasel a Rodent?
Scientific NameNeovison visonType of AnimalMammalRangeNorth America
The American mink is a small, semi-aquatic mammal that is closely related to the ferret.
They have a similar body shape and size, and both animals have long, slender bodies with short legs.
Minks also have pointed noses and small ears.
However, there are some key differences between these two animals.
However, there are some key differences between these two animals.
American minks have brown or black fur, while ferrets have distinct markings and are usually black in color.
Another difference is that minks are wild animals, while ferrets are domesticated.
Scientific NameMustela nigripesType of AnimalMammalRangecentral North America
The American polecat is also known as the black-footed ferret.
It is a wild animal that is closely related to the weasel.
The American polecat looks similar to a ferret, but it has black fur on its feet and tail.
4. Back-Striped Weasel
4. Back-Striped Weasel
Scientific NameMustela strigidorsaType of AnimalMammalRangenortheastern India, northern and central Myanmar
The back-striped weasel is a small mammal that looks very similar to a ferret.
They have a long, slender body and are black with a white stripe running down their back.
These weasels are found in parts of Asia and Europe.
Badgers are a type of mammal that is closely related to ferrets.
They are both members of the family Mustelidae, which also includes otters and wolverines.
Badgers are much larger than ferrets though, and they have a different coat of fur.
Badgers also live in different habitats than ferrets.
Scientific NameCivettictis civettaType of AnimalMammalRangeAfrica, southern Europe, and Asia
The civet is a small, mammal that is found in Africa and Asia.
Civets are also characterized by their long, slender bodies and black fur.
While they may look like ferrets, civets are actually more closely related to cats.
Scientific NameMustela felipeiType of AnimalMammalRangeColombia and one in Ecuador
The Colombian weasel is a type of weasel that is found in South America.
They are similar to ferrets in that they have long, slender bodies and furry tails.
However, Colombian weasels have a more reddish-brown coloring, and their fur is not as thick.
They also have shorter legs than ferrets.
Scientific NameMustela subpalmataType of AnimalMammalRangenorthern Egypt
The first animal on our list is the Egyptian weasel.
It is a small mammal that looks similar to a ferret, with a long body and short legs.
The Egyptian weasel also has black fur, although it is not as glossy as a ferret’s fur.
This weasel is a carnivore, and it preys on small mammals, reptiles, and birds.
9. European Mink
Scientific NameMustela lutreolaType of AnimalMammalRangeEastern Europe
The European mink is a small, semi-aquatic mammal that is native to Europe.
They are closely related to ferrets and look very similar to them.
European minks have dark brown fur, and their underbellies are usually lighter in color.
They also have long, slender bodies and faces.
However, there are some key differences between European minks and ferrets.
For one, European minks are much larger than ferrets.
Finally, European minks are not typically kept as pets.
Scientific NameMustela putoriusType of AnimalMammalRangeNorth Africa and western Eurasia
The European polecat is a wild ancestor of the ferret.
They are about the same size as a ferret and have a similar body shape.
Polecats also have black fur, but their markings are different.
Scientific NamePekania pennantiType of AnimalMammalRangeNorth America
When most people think of a fisher, they think of a large mammal that is related to the weasel.
However, did you know that there are actually two different types of fishers?
The North American fisher (Pekania pennanti) and the European common genet (Genetta genetta).
Both of these animals have long, slim bodies and are proficient tree climbers.
They also share the same black fur as ferrets, although the North American fisher has a more patchy coat.
Indonesian Mountain Weasel
Indonesian Mountain Weasel
Scientific NameMustela lutreolinaType of AnimalMammalRangeSumatra
The Indonesian mountain weasel is a small mammal that is found in the mountains of Indonesia.
This weasel has black fur and is about the same size as a ferret.
The Indonesian mountain weasel is also known to be playful and curious, as the ferret.
Scientific NameMustela erminea hibernicaType of AnimalMammalRangeIreland
The Irish stoat is a small mammal that is found in Ireland and Great Britain.
This animal is a member of the weasel family and shares many similarities with ferrets.
For one, they both have long, slender bodies.
They also have similar coloring, with the Irish stoat being brown or black on top, and white on the bottom.
However, there are some differences between these two animals.
The Irish stoat has a longer tail, and its face is more pointed than the ferrets.
Scientific NameMustela itatsiType of AnimalMammalRangeHonshū, Kyūshū, and Shikoku
It is very similar in appearance to the European weasel (Mustela nivalis), and the two species are often confused with one another.
The Japanese weasel has a brown upper body, with a white underside.
It also has a black stripe running down its back.
Japanese weasels are smaller than ferrets, and their tails are not as bushy.
Scientific NameMustela nivalisType of AnimalMammalRangeEurope and North Africa
It shares many similarities with ferrets, including its long, slender body and furry tail.
However, the least weasel is much smaller than a ferret, measuring only 8-10 inches in length.
Additionally, the least weasel has a white or pale brown coat, whereas ferrets have a black coat.
Long-Tailed Weasel
Long-Tailed Weasel
Scientific NameMustela frenataType of AnimalMammalRangeNorth America, Central America, and South America
The long-tailed weasel is a small carnivorous mammal of the Mustelidae family, which also includes stoats, ferrets, badgers, and otters.
It is the largest species of weasel.
The long-tailed weasel is found in North America, Central America, and South America.
It has a slim body and a long tail.
It is brown or black in color with a white chest and belly.
Scientific NameMustela nudipesType of AnimalMammalRangeMalaysia, and Sumatra and Borneo
The Malayan weasel, also known as the tropical weasel or Mustela nudipes, is a species of weasel that is found in Southeast Asia.
This animal looks strikingly similar to the ferret, with its long body and black fur.
The main difference between the two animals is that the Malayan weasel has a longer snout and smaller ears.
The mongoose is a small mammal that is found in Africa, Asia, and southern Europe.
Mongooses are known for their long bodies and short legs.
Mongooses are often confused with ferrets because they share similar physical characteristics.
Scientific NameMustela altaicaType of AnimalMammalRangeEurasia
The mountain weasel (Mustela altaica) is a member of the weasel family and is found in the mountainous regions of Eurasia.
They have a slim body, a small head, and short legs.
Their fur is typically brown or black in color, with some white spotting on their underbodies.
Mountain weasels are also known to have a reddish tinge to their fur during the winter.
Otters are a type of mammal that is closely related to weasels, badgers, and wolverines.
Otters have long, slim bodies and webbed feet, which help them swim quickly.
While otters might look like ferrets, they are actually much larger animals.
Scientific NameMartes martesType of AnimalMammalRangeCanada, Alaska, and parts of the northern United States
Pine martens are a type of weasel that is found in North America and Europe.
They have a slim body and long tail, like a ferret, but they are usually brown or reddish in color.
Sometimes, pine martens can be mistaken for ferrets, but they are actually a different species of animal.
Polecat-Ferret
Polecat-Ferret
Polecat-Ferret
Scientific NameMustela putorius furoType of AnimalMammalRangeWales and much of central and southern England
The first animal on our list is the polecat-ferret.
As you can probably tell from its name, this animal is a close relative of the ferret.
In fact, the two animals are so similar that they are often confused with one another.
Both animals have long, slender bodies and black fur.
For instance, polecat ferrets have longer legs and shorter tails than ferrets.
Scientific NameMustela sibiricaType of AnimalMammalRangePakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan
They are similar in appearance to ferrets but have a longer body and tail.
They are also typically brown or reddish-brown in color, with white underparts.
Scientific NameMephitidaeType of AnimalMammalRangeUnited States, Canada, South America and Mexico
At first glance, skunks may look like ferrets.
They are both small animals with long bodies and black fur.
However, skunks have much thicker fur than ferrets, and their tails are much shorter in proportion to their body size.
Skunks also have a distinct stripe of white fur down their backs, which ferrets do not have.
When it comes to personality, skunks are not as playful as ferrets.
They are also known for being rather aggressive, which is something you would never see in a ferret.
Read Also: 22 Animals that Look Like Skunks
Scientific NameMustela eversmaniiType of AnimalMammalRange central Asia and parts of Eastern Europe
The Steppe Polecat is a wild animal that is closely related to the ferret.
They are both members of the Mustela family, which also includes weasels, mink, and otters.
The Steppe Polecat is found in central Asia and parts of Eastern Europe.
They have a long body and a short tail, just like ferrets.
However, the Steppe Polecat has a more wolf-like face, and its fur is yellowish-brown with black spots.
Scientific NameMustela ermineaType of AnimalMammalRangeNorth America, Europe, and Asia
One animal that looks similar to a ferret is the stoat.
The stoat is a small mammal that is closely related to weasels and ferrets.
They have a long, slender body and are usually brown or black in color.
Stoats are found in Europe, Asia, and North America.
While they may look like ferrets, stoats are actually wild animals.
So, if you see a small mammal that looks like a ferret, it’s probably a stoat!
Wolverines are a type of weasel that is found in North America.
They are much larger than ferrets, and can grow to be up to 3 feet long!
Wolverines also have a more robust build, with thick fur and a bushy tail.
Their coloring is usually brown or black, with lighter markings on their face and chest.
While they may look like ferrets, wolverines are actually quite different animals.
Wolverines are not domesticated animals, and would not make good pets.
Yellow-Bellied Weasel
Yellow-Bellied Weasel
Scientific NameMustela kathiahType of AnimalMammalRangeBhutan, Burma, China, India, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam
The yellow-bellied weasel is a wild animal that is found in North America.
It is related to the ferret and shares many of the same characteristics.
These weasels are small, slim, and have long bodies.
They also have black fur on their backs, with a yellow or white belly.
Yellow-bellied weasels are mostly active at night and are known to hunt small mammals, such as mice and voles.
There are many animals out there that look similar to ferrets.
These range from the European polecat, which has black fur on its feet and tail, to the American mink, which is a small semi-aquatic mammal that looks very similar to a ferret in appearance with some key differences.
Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal.