Ferret?

Half-cocked

Caught this critter on my trail camera. I think it's a ferret?

cuddlycavies

Yep Polecat ferret. We have a feral population here in wicklow

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

cuddlycavies wrote: »

Yep Polecat ferret. We have a feral population here in wicklow

Just to be accurate; we do not have Polecats in Ireland. Polecat Ferrets are a cross between a Polecat and a Ferret. The animal may be a polecat marked Ferret but is not a Polecat Ferret - just a Ferret.
Mustela furo is the Ferret , the European polecat is Mustela putorius. Common ancestry but distinct.

Half-cocked

Do they cause much damage as an alien species?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Half-cocked wrote: »

Do they cause much damage as an alien species?

Absolutely! Ever bit as bad as Mink in my book. Bad news having them around.

fryup

so ferrets aren't native

so were they introduced to ireland for fur or for hunting rabbits??

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

fryup wrote: »

so ferrets aren't native

so were they introduced to ireland for fur or for hunting rabbits??

From Invasive Species Ireland -
The exact date of introduction is not known. It is believed that ferrets may have originally been brought to Ireland to help control rabbit numbers. It is also possible that the populations around the border counties are escapees from fur farms. Ferrets are also a popular pet species and escape from captivity of this type cannot be ruled out

Half-cocked

Kye Nutritious Meaty wrote: »

Absolutely! Ever bit as bad as Mink in my book. Bad news having them around.

Hmmm. Not sure trying to trap it is an option. There's a Pine Marten frequents the same spot and I don't want to catch it - even in a live trap.

Kess73

Kye Nutritious Meaty wrote: »

Just to be accurate; we do not have Polecats in Ireland. Polecat Ferrets are a cross between a Polecat and a Ferret. The animal may be a polecat marked Ferret but is not a Polecat Ferret - just a Ferret.
Mustela furo is the Ferret , the European polecat is Mustela putorius. Common ancestry but distinct.

Yep would agree with this. The animal in the pic looks like a ferret that has markings similar to that of a Polecat-Ferret hybrid, but does not look strongly enough built to be an escaped hybrid.

A Polecat-Ferret hybrid is usually noticeable stronger in build to a regular ferret, and is closer to a polecat than a ferret in terms of temperament, size and build.

Have seen a number of hybrids in Scotland, and the difference between them and a pure ferret is pretty striking.

Tiercel Dave

Just to help clear a few points. Ferrets come in a range of colours. Albinos are a sort of light yellow and are usually of a racy build and referred to as 'Greyhounds'. Ferrets with dark colours, and especially a face mask, are 'Polecats'. It's a colour thing rather than a description of it's lineage. Dave

cuddlycavies

Kye Nutritious Meaty wrote: »

From Invasive Species Ireland -
The exact date of introduction is not known. It is believed that ferrets may have originally been brought to Ireland to help control rabbit numbers. It is also possible that the populations around the border counties are escapees from fur farms. Ferrets are also a popular pet species and escape from captivity of this type cannot be ruled out

Early Norman pictures of Rath life depict people hunting their rabbit warrens with ferrets. Normans came 1169 and rabbits came soon after However it is not likely that a feral population of ferrets has existed throughout the ages.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Tiercel Dave wrote: »

Just to help clear a few points. Ferrets come in a range of colours. Albinos are a sort of light yellow and are usually of a racy build and referred to as 'Greyhounds'. Ferrets with dark colours, and especially a face mask, are 'Polecats'. It's a colour thing rather than a description of it's lineage. Dave

Again, just for accuracy. The proper term for the colouration commonly called polecat is Sable. Albino is not yellow but pure white with pink eyes.
There are four basic colour classes for Ferrets. The Sable (incl chocolate and dark), Albino, Dark Eyed White (DEW), and the Silver. All the other colours found among Ferrets are variations on these four categories.

meathstevie

Half-cocked wrote: »

Hmmm. Not sure trying to trap it is an option. There's a Pine Marten frequents the same spot and I don't want to catch it - even in a live trap.

If you can monitor the trap closely; as in at least one check a day I'd chance it. If you end up trapping the pine marten in the area you can quickly release it, you catch the ferret you do what's proper.

Tiercel Dave

Kye Nutritious Meaty wrote: »

Again, just for accuracy. The proper term for the colouration commonly called polecat is Sable. Albino is not yellow but pure white with pink eyes.
There are four basic colour classes for Ferrets. The Sable (incl chocolate and dark), Albino, Dark Eyed White (DEW), and the Silver. All the other colours found among Ferrets are variations on these four categories.

Again, to be pedantic, 'polecat' is a colour type among domestic ferrets. You'll find it far easier to buy a 'polecat' than a Sable. And as for Albinos, they are born white and turn a light lemon as they age.



Dave

Half-cocked

So 'polecat' is a term used to describe both a particular variety of ferret, and the European Polecat Mustela putorius. But what I have sniffing around is a ferret!

Since I set up the trail camera I've had Badgers, Foxes, Pine Marten, Ferret, Brown Rat, Wood Mouse, Otter, Grey Squirrels, Mink plus various domestic cats and dogs. I'm doing quite well with mammals - Bats zip past too quickly to be recorded and I haven't seen a Stoat yet. No Red Squirrels in the area and the Greys have almost disappeared since the Pine Marten arrived! What else am I missing? Humans? I did get one very large unidentified lady in a red jumpsuit out walking her dog!

OpenYourEyes

Half-cocked wrote: »

So 'polecat' is a term used to describe both a particular variety of ferret, and the European Polecat Mustela putorius. But what I have sniffing around is a ferret!

Since I set up the trail camera I've had Badgers, Foxes, Pine Marten, Ferret, Brown Rat, Wood Mouse, Otter, Grey Squirrels, Mink plus various domestic cats and dogs. I'm doing quite well with mammals - Bats zip past too quickly to be recorded and I haven't seen a Stoat yet. No Red Squirrels in the area and the Greys have almost disappeared since the Pine Marten arrived! What else am I missing? Humans? I did get one very large unidentified lady in a red jumpsuit out walking her dog!

Might I suggest you submit all of your sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre, if you're not doing so already!

(Well, maybe not the human one...)

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Half-cocked wrote: »

So 'polecat' is a term used to describe both a particular variety of ferret, and the European Polecat Mustela putorius. But what I have sniffing around is a ferret!

Since I set up the trail camera I've had Badgers, Foxes, Pine Marten, Ferret, Brown Rat, Wood Mouse, Otter, Grey Squirrels, Mink plus various domestic cats and dogs. I'm doing quite well with mammals - Bats zip past too quickly to be recorded and I haven't seen a Stoat yet. No Red Squirrels in the area and the Greys have almost disappeared since the Pine Marten arrived! What else am I missing? Humans? I did get one very large unidentified lady in a red jumpsuit out walking her dog!

Polecat is a colour not a variety. It is like saying you had a brown dog as opposed to a tricolour, golden, etc

As suggested you certainly should record and report all your sightings. It's very valuable information.

Well done on picking up so many wonderful species.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Tiercel Dave wrote: »

Again, to be pedantic, 'polecat' is a colour type among domestic ferrets. You'll find it far easier to buy a 'polecat' than a Sable. And as for Albinos, they are born white and turn a light lemon as they age

Dave

And to be even more pedantic and to stray into what should be a pet forum item -
An albino ferret could turn yellowish because of the oils that the creature's sebaceous glands give off, particularly those of male ferrets who are not neutered. It is a stain on the fur and not a fur colouration. There's are shampoos that will remove most of this yellow staining.
Anyway . back to proper wildlife!

Half-cocked

Kye Nutritious Meaty wrote: »

As suggested you certainly should record and report all your sightings. It's very valuable information.

Well done on picking up so many wonderful species.

All done, except the ferret, wanted a positive ID first.

Desmo

I think they are all varmints

dodderangler

It's a ferret alright and absolutely beautiful colours on it.
Don't think I've seen one of that shade before.
I've always had albinos and greyhound and polecat but never silvers.
Where was this taken??

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Half-cocked, in light of the fact that this area has pine marten, badger, otter etc in a single location, please don't give exact location details on a public forum frequented by people who hunt amongst others. Give county and nearby town if you wish but there is no reason for anything more.
No offence to others but it's only a ferret and the area has, it would seem, a rich variety of wildlife that should be left as unspoilt and safe as possible.

Just my tuppence worth from 40 years in the wildlife business.

dodderangler

Kye Nutritious Meaty wrote: »

Half-cocked, in light of the fact that this area has pine marten, badger, otter etc in a single location, please don't give exact location details on a public forum frequented by people who hunt amongst others. Give county and nearby town if you wish but there is no reason for anything more.
No offence to others but it's only a ferret and the area has, it would seem, a rich variety of wildlife that should be left as unspoilt and safe as possible.

Just my tuppence worth from 40 years in the wildlife business.

Well here's my tuppence!
I'm on a numbers of hunting forums to which I could put up if anyone has lists ferret I could help retrieve the ferret!!
Do it think I'd capture it or shoot it or something?!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

dodderangler wrote: »

Well here's my tuppence!
I'm on a numbers of hunting forums to which I could put up if anyone has lists ferret I could help retrieve the ferret!!
Do it think I'd capture it or shoot it or something?!

Relax dodder and read what I actually posted. The ferret is not the issue - indeed it should be killed - it's the wildlife of the area I was concerned about.

Half-cocked

South Co Kildare, near Castledermot. I've been looking back at older photos from the trail cam and there are a lot of blurred images that I took for fast moving grey squirrels but now think are in fact the ferret. Looks like it's been around for a while now (or there may be more than one - pictured at several sites). There is a resident shoot syndicate on the farm who don't do any 'vermin control' other than try to trap mink, so the wildlife is safe. On an interesting side note, the percentage of pheasants shot is comparable to shoots who carry out very active vermin control which begs the question - is it necessary at all?

dodderangler

Kye Nutritious Meaty wrote: »

Relax dodder and read what I actually posted. The ferret is not the issue - indeed it should be killed - it's the wildlife of the area I was concerned about.

Vast majority of captive ferrets won't survive and come winter they definately will struggle.
It shouldn't be shot. It could be captured in a mink cage and given a home ( I'd love it.)
So in question are you saying next time I'm out if I see someone's dog running loose or a cat I should shoot it I mean we have to think about the wildlife after all.

Half-cocked

Hi Dodderangler, if it turns up in one of my mink traps over the Winter I will PM you. You're welcome to it.

dodderangler

Half-cocked wrote: »

Hi Dodderangler, if it turns up in one of my mink traps over the Winter I will PM you. You're welcome to it.

Cheers mate.
It's just a beautiful colour and quite rare to get one that colour.
Already have a polecat ferret there

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

dodderangler wrote: »

Vast majority of captive ferrets won't survive and come winter they definately will struggle.
It shouldn't be shot. It could be captured in a mink cage and given a home ( I'd love it.)
So in question are you saying next time I'm out if I see someone's dog running loose or a cat I should shoot it I mean we have to think about the wildlife after all.

You're twisting what I said and trying to put words in my mouth. You are wavy about wildlife and know rightly the damage caused by feral ferrets. Of course trap it and keep is as a pet if half-cocked traps it but that does not alter the fact that alien predators like ferret and mink are unwelcome in our landscape.
As for dogs and cats, that is a different issue. Dogs don't do enormous damage to native wildlife. Cats of course are another matter! But that's a discussion for another day.

Joeseph Balls

Kye Nutritious Meaty wrote: »

Half-cocked, in light of the fact that this area has pine marten, badger, otter etc in a single location, please don't give exact location details on a public forum frequented by people who poach amongst others. Give county and nearby town if you wish but there is no reason for anything more.


Just my tuppence worth from 40 years in the wildlife business.

Fixed your post there Kye Nutritious Meaty;)

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Joeseph Balls wrote: »

Fixed your post there Srameen;)

If I wanted to say poach, then I would have said so. You use your first post here to try to tell me what I meant to say. What a waste. I said and meant hunt! I have dealt with the ramifications of rogue hunters for decades. I also know what words I want to use.

Joeseph Balls

Kye Nutritious Meaty wrote: »

If I wanted to say poach, then I would have said so. You use your first post here to try to tell me what I meant to say. What a waste. I said and meant hunt! I have dealt with the ramifications of rogue hunters for decades. I also know what words I want to use.

I know you have. So why not use rogue hunters then?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Joeseph Balls wrote: »

I know you have. So why not use rogue hunters then?

Because people who hunt was what what I wanted to say.
Did you just sign up with a second username to drag this thread down?

Old adage - don't feed the trolls. So I'm done. Joe Balls added to the ignore list.

Joeseph Balls

Kye Nutritious Meaty wrote: »

Because people who hunt was what what I wanted to say.
Did you just sign up with a second username to drag this thread down?

Old adage - don't feed the trolls. So I'm done. Joe Balls added to the ignore list.

No, not a second account actually, just sick of your generalising and throwing sly digs in a people who hunt at every chance.

OpenYourEyes

Joeseph Balls wrote: »

I know you have. So why not use rogue hunters then?

His original post said "...who hunt amongst others", the last bit obviously meant to differentiate between those who hunt and those who illegally hunt. Either way, it's not the place of a brand new user to come in and tell people what they meant to say.

So we'll leave it at that Joeseph Balls.

OP's question has been answered, and the thread is getting more and more off topic, so best to close it methinks.