Look what Lilly just found under our shed. We’ve seen “wild ferrets” on our property before. Years ago. But this one is new. It looks pretty young to me. It was totally poking its head out to check out Lilly as much as she was checking it out. Yay! My Friday the 13th Baby Ferret. Whoo hoo!
OK, wildlife and ferret friends … Is this a wild one? It clearly does NOT have black feet. One born to a pet ferret that got dumped? Please advise.
I’m so excited. Now, I don’t know how I will work this afternoon.
OMG, OMG, OMG
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UPDATE … consensus is that this is NOT a ferret of any kind, but a plain old long-tailed weasel. It’s wild and does NOT need my help in any way.
We haven’t seen it since about lunchtime on Friday when I took this and other pictures. Maybe it was simply passing by and Lilly chased it under the shed.
I’d love it if it decided to live on our property, but I’m told there is a risk of distemper with the species … so maybe not.
Still … it’s super-duper cute, and I’m glad I got to see it and talk to it … and that Lilly did NOT try to hurt it.
Yep, it be a weasel. Don’t think its a least weasel but may be a long tail weasel.
Thanks, FuzzyWeazles. That’s the thought … young (not actual baby) long-tailed weasel. We haven’t seen it since, so it might have simply been passing through our pasture. Either way, it was really fun to find and see.
Well, I now know that ferrets and weasels look an awful lot alike but I think weasels have a reputation for being pretty aggressive when they are adults. I’d still be excited about seeing one though.
My kids would be so excited–they’ve been begging to get a ferret since seeing on at a museum we visited. So far, I’m keeping them content with pictures–like yours!
Look at those paws and nails! But kind of a cutie-pie.
How cute is this little one!
What a sweet little face it has! Cheers me up this morning to see this photo.
What an adventure! Maybe Lilly would do better than you thought with ferrets after meeting this wild woozel *smile*
Maybe you are right, Snotface. Though, I suspect Lilly was so good with the weasel because it didn’t RUN from her and trigger the chase. :o)
Thanks for dropping by to confirm indeed WILD critter, not ferret.
Oh.My. Super cute! I love it when unexpected critters wander onto our property. Such a joy. And you got a great picture of it!
I’ve had two ferrets before and they were both great. So much personality packed into such a small body.
As far as I know domestic ferrets would not survive long in the wild. This one looks more like a weasel to me.
Yes, Kevin … I was just getting ready to post an update. The consensus from various pals is that this is indeed a long-tailed weasel, not a ferret. So, it’s WILD and probably doesn’t need my help. I’ll just do my best to protect it (if it’s still around) from the dogs and vice versa … because with the species, I’m told, there is a risk of distemper.
Still … it was doggone exciting and distracting on my Friday. I wasn’t going to have to work this weekend anyway, but now I have even MORE to do because I pretty much lost my whole Friday afternoon to this little sweetie.
Yeah for Lillie that she wasn’t afraid of it and tried to make friends!
I’m just glad, Sue, that Lilly didn’t hurt it. She seemed as intrigued with it as it seemed with her. I’ve gone out several more times this afternoon, but I haven’t seen it again. I assume it’s just staying under there. Hope so.
OMG is right! How sweet!!!!
There’s a reader of A Traveler’s Library who does a blog on ferrets. She’s a fan of them as pets, but BOY do they sound like a lot of work! So cute, but so –well–smelly.
SO cute
So so sooo cute. I hope you can keep it (but maybe you shouldn’t? Can you call the local wildlife refuge and find out what the protocol is? I have no advice but I think WILDLIFE IMAGES in GRANTS PASS, OR could certainly advise you, if you want to call them).
Oh, it is so adorable! Is it afraid of Lilly? Does it want to play or did it run away? And what did Lilly do with/to it? You have to name it…Friday?