ferret

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ferret

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

ferret name for a domesticated polecat , Mustela putorius, common in the Old World. It has been used for centuries to hunt rats, mice, and rabbits. Domestic ferrets are found in many color types including albinos, brown, and black. The name is also applied to a related wild species, the North American, or black-footed, ferret, M. nigripes, which inhabits the Great Plains and is now extremely rare. Its range nearly coincides with that of the prairie dogs, which constitute most of its diet; it is often found in prairie dog burrows. The severe reduction of the prairie dog population by ranchers is probably partially responsible for the rarity of the black-footed ferret, although it was apparently not numerous when the West was first settled by Europeans. Ferrets are classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Carnivora, family Mustelidae ( weasel family).

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ferret

The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military | 2001 | © The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military 2001, originally published by Oxford University Press 2001. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

ferret n. an aircraft, ship, or other vehicle that has been equipped in order to detect, locate, record, and analyze electromagnetic radiation.

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ferret

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | © World Encyclopedia 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

ferret Semi-domesticated albino form of polecat. Weasel-like animals, ferrets have long necks, slender bodies, and long tails. They are agile killers. Body length: 36cm (14in); weight: 700g (1.5lb). Family Mustelidae; species Mustela putorius.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Free Article Ferrets Home on the Range.(Brief Article)
Magazine article from: Endangered Species Bulletin; 5/1/2000
Free Article Ferrets test freedom at Vermejo Park Ranch.
Magazine article from: Endangered Species Bulletin; 3/1/2006
Free Article FERRET COMPETITION GETS BUMPED FROM 'OLYMPICS'.(Animals)
Newspaper article from: The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR); 8/13/2005

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FERRET LOVERS PROVIDE A HAVEN FOR PLAYFUL BUT UNWANTED PETS.(DAILY BREAK)
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