Quick answer
Ferrets feed on a diet shaped by their habitat — see our full ferret profile for prey, plants, and seasonal shifts.
Diet overview
The ferret is a domesticated mustelid descended from the European polecat, kept worldwide as a pet and historically used for rabbit hunting (ferreting).
Feeding behaviour
Many ferrets adjust what they eat as seasons change.
Ecological role
Their diet links them to the wider food web in their native range.
FAQs
Where can I learn more about the ferret?
See our full ferret profile for habitat, diet, and conservation status.
Where do these facts come from?
Researched from IUCN Red List data and our editorial ferret species profile.