Here are the main types of ferrets.
There are lots of different types of ferrets when it comes to coloring, however there aren’t any different breeds (such as cats and dogs have) to the common household ferrets (the domestic ferret does have wild cousins such as the polecat or the
Black Footed Ferret
The variety of colors that ferrets come in is incredible. The two most common colors are sable and white. The white can come with either red or black eyes.
When deciding what color your ferret is keep in mind that ferrets can in fact change color according to different seasons and age. A ferret that is darker in summer can sometimes become a lot lighter in winter! The same goes when ferrets get older. Check out the difference in color of the ferrets below.
Is the most common colored ferret. The sable ferret has mostly raccoon like colorings with a mask on the face, dark paws and tail. There can be lighter and darker sables depending on how dark the underfur is. The hairs on top, also known as the guard hairs, are normally darker and they are what give the ferret the raccoon look.
As the name suggests this color is the same as the Sable with one difference…the feet are white also this color can have a white throat patch. The nose is generally black.
This colour ferret has really black guard hairs, can have a white to golden coloured undercoat with a black or near black nose and black eyes.
There are two types of white ferrets.
- Albino ferret or red-eyed white
- Black eyed white
The red-eyed white
(Also known as the ‘ruby-eyed white’) is one of the most common colours. They are also referred to as albino ferrets. The body is white and their noses and pads on their feet are pink and as the name suggests their eyes are red. These types of ferrets sometimes get a reddish or yellowish tinge when they reach sexual maturity.
The black-eyed whites
(Also known as the ‘onyx-eyed white’) these types of ferrets have a predominantly white coat, although sometimes they may have a few black hairs on their back and tail. The same as with any ferret, once they reach sexual maturity they may develop a yellowish tinge through their coat.
Underfur is white or off-white. The guard hairs contain both the black and the white strands. The ferret might also have white paws, body markings and tipped tails. The mixture of the white and the blackish guard hairs are what make this ferret look silvery.
The undercoat of the silver types of ferrets is white to cream in color. The guard hairs are tipped with grey and the points are silver or silvery tan. Eyes are brown and the nose and pads on their feet are pink or pinkish tan.
The undercoat is either white or of-white. The guard hairs are reddish brown (the color of cinnamon). The pad leather and nose are either light pink or a darker shade of pink/brick and the eyes are brown.
The undercoat on these types of ferrets is the same as the Sable. The guard hairs, mask or hood and leggings are the colour of butterscotch rather than black. The nose is also butterscotch.
The Whitefooted Butterscotch has four white feet, a white throat patch and the eyes are brown.
This is a lighter brown version of the sable. This colour still has a mask and black or brown eyes, however it has chocolate colour guard hairs, a white to golden undercoat and a pink nose.
This is a lighter version of a chocolate coloured ferret. Sometimes they have a mask with either black or burgundy eyes. This colour has tan guard hairs with a white to cream coloured undercoat and a beige, pink or a pink with beige or light brown 'T' shaped outline on the nose (cute!).
The most endangered of all types of ferrets - The Black Footed Ferret.
Have a look at some baby ferret pictures! So cute!