This was SO much fun to shoot! The modification we made to the ceiling to accommodate the mic is till there and I think of both of you whenever I see it! Come back soon!!!
What pen did you use around your ferret tower? Baby and dog gates have failed me many times in the past and tired of rebuying stuff that isn't a long term solution
They're not bad at being weasels though. At least in the UK where lots of them are still working animals. Very intelligent, very functional but also handful because they are so clever and capable. Maybe they should look at the EU polecat next.
@@seb24789 I don't even think there's much meaningful competition for the title of best pet rodent with rats. For most people they just are the best pet rodent, although with the caveats that of course rodents aren't for everyone anyway.
I love ferrets! They are adorable and I love their twisty bodies and high energy! The routine you described reminds me of what we did with my rats when I had them - daily litter box cleaning, checking for lumps, playtime, food prep.... and ugh, the smell! I miss my rats, they were awesome! Not great pets to have now that I've got a house full of snakes though....
One thing I think EVERY ferret owner should do immediately is find an exotic vet and have a plan for after hour/weekend emergencies. MANY emergency vets DO NOT accept ferrets. I knew someone whose ferret was have seizures out of the blue one weekend and called 14 different emergency vets and her ferret died. I can only imagine how helpless she felt going through that. Ferrets are a roit though! I used to have two when I was younger! My first one was an albino I got from a pet shop and he was so sweet. The second one I got from a breeder and she was gorgeous but not as sweet lol. I think he was happier having a friend though, even if I didn't get along with her very well!
It helps to also do your research and know what to do yourself if you cannot get to vet or there will be a wait to get them to the vet. E.g. if a ferret is having an insulinoma-related hypoglycaemic seizure, usually a bit of honey will help. You should have animal first aid kids, wormer, thermometers and all that jazz at home. I have multiple chronic illnesses and have my own equipment, backup drugs etc for myself as well because getting to a doctor has been impossible or I've bene expected to treat myself including doing my own freaking wound care in the doctor's office. anyway. You can never rely too much on other people especially in these times... I would expect vets in the UK to not refuse a ferret though. They're not purple cows form Mars and related to our native species.
@@SobrietyandSolace agreed! It helps to be prepared. When I owned ferrets the vet I took my cats to did not have an exotic vet on staff and wouldn't see ferrets (I live in the US). I had to switch to a different place that was about an hour away. Thankfully I never had any emergencies after hours with mine, but it's not something I ever thought about until I read that tragic story.
There are only 2 vets that treat exotic pets in my city. Luckily, CSU Vet teaching hospital is about 45 min away. Granted when I think my ferret broke his leg I made it down there in 25min. Surgery for ferrets can range from $250(removal of an MCT on the skin) to $2k+(removal of cancer of the adrenal gland and pancreas with 7-day hospital care). Sadly I had my boy Bomber die at 3.5 years due to very aggressive cancer that spread really quickly to almost every organ in a couple of weeks. My pet's yearly shot and check-up only cost $40. Granted after hour care starts at $175.00 which is cheap in this area but they provide some of the best care. While the Vet hospital visits will start at about $175 and go up from there. Furthermore, most of the time when they need simple things like X-rays they do have to go under to do them most of the time.
This is solid advice, I'd say it's a good idea to do that research *before* one gets an animal really, especially an exotic. There's only two exotic vets here in town, and neither takes pet insurance that I know of, so... no exotic pets for me (well, no pets at all because of pet fees for this apartment costing more then an animal adoption+vet visit and shots would, and more in extra rent then the food...)
This video took me back in time a few decades. I had a ferret in the mid '80's before anybody had heard of them. He had his own room in the house (our den) which happened to have a stone floor. He would "do his business" in a corner which we kept lined with newspapers. He was a wonderful friend. He would climb on my dad and steal cigarettes out of the pack in his pocket. He would take them to the floor and roll them around like a toy until he rolled them under the couch where nobody could retrieve them, whereupon he would repeat the process. My dad died of a heart attack at age 56. I wish Bandit had stolen more of his cigarettes.
Every vice continues due to an attempt to self medicate. (I'm not promoting pharmaceuticals either...........that seems even worse) I don't have a solution.
I’m a vet student and I’ve been told (jokingly) by exotic vets that ferrets are the “money-maker” for them because after they turn 4 more or less they start having lots of health issues, which is a shame because they are awesome pets
I've heard they are one of the closest animals to humans in terms of the respiratory system, but I am not a vet or vet student or anything and do not know anything about that.
At least in the USA, almost all ferrets you see for sale are mass produced by Marshalls, which is pretty much a ferret mill. I'm so glad she mentioned this. Try to seek out breeders that care about selective breeding and avoiding inbreeding. We don't have nearly enough breeders in the USA unfortunately because this information isn't widespread enough, and too many places have restrictions on keeping them. The U.K. seems far more reasonable in these respects.
Yes! My biggest concerns with my ferrets were insulinoma and adrenal disease, but other cancers like leukemia are common too. American ferrets, as mentioned in other comments, are mostly mass produced, as well as desexed VERY young. It’s my understanding that ferrets in the UK tend to have better life expectancies, though 5-7 years for us is common. Sucks, because they’re darlings!
@Jorge Sobrino, almost every procedure requires some chemical restraint so that is another charge. I own one & have treated most all animals as a vet tech but they are the hardest to restrain IMHO. Good luck in your career!
@@marmelium I had a marshal ferret that lived to be 12 years old. 6-10 years seems to be the average ferret lifespan in the USA, dependent on proper diet and veterinary care. These days, deslorelin implants can help resolve adrenal disease if not completely prevent it if you implant it when they're young. Major strides have been made in treating conditions in ferrets. There are treatments for insulinoma as well besides surgery. My vet now freezes off skin growths rather than requiring an expensive surgery. Just like with people, proper medical care has a beneficial impact on lifespan.
Ferrets are joy incarnate. I have never witnessed a more blissfully unaware and chaotically cheerful animal in my life. It's like their positivity oozes out of the screen, so if you're ever sad, ferret videos are awesome to watch.
My family had a pair of ferrets, and something we learned along the way is their curiosity arguably outweighs that of a cat, so if there is a single crack in a wall or piece of furniture, they will try to explore it! Always made for a good game of hide and seek, but if you ever plan to take them outside be sure your yard is "ferret proofed"
Their curiosity definitely outweighs cats! While kittens can be a handful and knock things over when they learn to jump, a ferret will get into far more things! Luckily they don't have to chew on everything like a rodent would, or we'd have lost a lot of expensive cords and cables in our house lol.
Oh boy, I have seen that weasel behavior with a real weasel I raised for two months. He could go inside and outside at will, but I was really afraid for him on the fourth of July. I tried to block any holes, but he found one in a very weird spot under the counter. I put tape all over it and he proceeded to freak out like a wild man ripping at the tape, so I let him out. He was back the next morning and I was very relieved. Vids of him are on my channel. My yard is most definitely not ferret proof.
@@katiekane5247 I love that about animals doing crazy stuff. One winter I found all the pockets of my clothes (on hangers) had stashes of sunflower seeds and my boots had a big cache. That was just wild mice. Riki sounds like he is worth the money just for that laugh alone.
@@destructionduo1168 I had someone describe owning ferrets as "having a bunch of toddlers running around getting into everything" and that's how I see my four stinkers now lol. I love them but they can be frustrating (and hurt your wallet lol)
@@TimS. My God that is a PERFECT description. Any time I open the shoe closet: BAM; three ferrets all stampeding the door as I try to push the waves back. Try to go into my room, (which they aren't allowed in since my vents don't have covers still) BAM! Have a ferret running after me whilst my hands are full and cannot keep it away. Also, one of them likes to sneak under the door so we have to put towels or blankets under them. They also don't like our most recent kitten we decided to foster and keep 🥲
Just something to note, while Clint said he doesn't mind a Skunk spray smell, it is no where even in the same ballpark of a ferret. A skunk spray will make you gag but a ferret scent is just kinda something you get used to. Consequently, both can be de-scented and Skunks actually make fairly good pets if you are well prepared.
I'd go nuts if Em got button quail and Clint got a Dasypeltis (though I think Em already has diamond doves that could feed a baby), that would be great collab material
@@john-paulsilke893 I don't know about all states, but my state prevents native opossums as pets. The US only has one species native here, so theoretically all other 110+ species would be legal. But gray short tailed opossums (Monodelphis domestica) are the only truly domesticated species. All other species are wild caught rather than captive-bred.
Please please please look at adopting a rescued ferret before buying from a pet store. All my ferrets have been rescues & the love they give you for giving them a better & second chance is next to none.
I had 2 ferrets, one died at 2 from blood cancer (albino male) and my girl was so depressed for a long time after. She passed at 10 from adrenal cancer. She had lupron shots which helped but now they have slow release implants. I'm very surprised they didnt mention the reason they get adrenal disease. When they are neutered/spayed their brains still send out signals to produce lots of hormone which have no where to go and adrenal glands cant keep up with being flooded and confused. Usually females have a liter of kits about every year which changes the signaling naturally but they have no ovaries and dont get pregnant with us meaning their just flooded with it all the time and the adrenal glands give out and grow tumors. The Lupron binds to the excess hormone and removes it from their system. Every ferret should get the shots or implant to manage this and prevent adrenal disease.
@@vando6679 well.. she passed in 2012 and the last 5 years of her life I worked as a vet tech and got at cost care so it's hard to say. The initial visit was at an exotics vet, then we did maintenance injections for a while until he retired and my workplace just ordered it for me. The implants should cut down on this a lot though.
Aww now I miss my carpet sharks. I had a pair in the late 90s, Pinky and Pyscho and albino and a sable. They were so much fun, tons of trouble and as different as night and day in their personalities and which toys they preferred. Pinky liked rubber toys so she had a ton of rubber dog toys and pyscho liked plush toys she had a ton of McDonald’s toy ty beanie babies. Everyday they came out to terrorize the cats and would empty their toy box and hide their toys under the furniture and at nap time I’d spend an hour retrieving all toys to put them so they could do it all again later. Yes they have a stink, but if you clean up their poops regularly it really isn’t that bad you get used to it and it’s a better smell then some other pets and people produce. They also make great neck warmers as long as it isn’t a face nipper like pinky was, she didn’t like being near faces, they are the best agents to point out all the little spots you didn’t think they could reach, you want to baby proof borrow a couple ferrets you’ll find all the hidden spot you need to fix.
Ferrets make the best pets! We've had ferrets for decades as pets, and have never been happier, more entertained, and ease of care, than with ferrets. We've had dogs and cats, but our hearts strings were never tugged more with any other pet. We miss our critters from the past, and always will.😢
3:51 Not anymore apparently, a recent study now places that Skunks and Stink Badgers in their own family, Mephitidae. And a 2017 study using retroposon markers show that they are more closely related to the Ailuridae (red pandas) and Procyonidae (raccoons, Coati, Kinkajou, etc) then they are to Weasels
Also male ferrets tend to be easier to handle. Females tend to be more selective as to who they want to have around them. I had 4 ferrets, 2 males and 2 females. My males were super sweet and the females were divas to say the least.
Really? Because I work at a pet store, and that's been the opposite of my experience! The males are often FEISTY lil weasels while most of our females are a bit more curious and patient. All of our main biters were males.
Depends if you haven't worked it out. Depending on your gender and most importantly hormones, is how the mammals will respond to you. Male kangaroo around a female or girl, big curious friendly lump - wild male kangaroo around male human will do their level best to kick your testicles out via your ears.
@@tapirsareunder-appreciated2272 In my 6 years of experience with ferrets the males ae always calmer and the females usually insane. These are UK ferrets though. Those weird American ferrets are someting else entirely
I have always absolutely loved ferrets. They are the most joyful, exuberant creatures around. I really like the mild musky smell of a descented ferret. It smells like a musk perfume to me.
Shorter-lived pets have benefits too: shorter commitment in terms of housing a pet (in case you have to move, go to college, want a different pet, etc.), ability to rescue more animals, especially if they can be kept communally, etc. Long-tailed weasels live only about 2-3 years in the wild. Opossums are also particularly short-lived. I'm glad you talked about the cost of vet care, which is really high now, along with some of the medications. Rats also require a lot of expensive vet care because, like the ferret, only recently were they bred for health; they get tumors, cancer, respiratory infections, heart problems. I once asked my rat/exotic vet about possibly going from rats to ferrets and she said "they are the only pet worse than rats in terms of health problems." So, having a LOCAL exotic vet ("small animal" vets see dogs and cats) is a necessity. I have to drive 90 minutes to see my rat vet and it's not ideal. But I love them so much! Ferrets sound similar with all the sleeping, which is actually great if you work.
I've been struggling to get mine to not sleep all day since winter rolled around lol We tell them to go play and they scratch at the door wanting to be put back in their cage.
@@SobrietyandSolace Here is what I say about rats: They will drive you crazy! But they also like to sleep a lot after they are adults. Make sure the play area has a few outrageously delicious snacks waiting for them. Then they'll eat the snacks and scratch at the door...
I’m so glad you did this video. I have a customer that has a ferret. The cage is smaller than it should be judging by what I gathered watching this video. Since they know I don’t know anything about ferrets, I’m going to excitedly send them this video telling them how cool I thought it was since I just met theirs. Maybe this will help them. Thank you both so much!
That's very gentle and kindhearted, this is also the way I try to gently help people with their pet husbandry. Whenever I find a sweet entertaining video about good aquarium keeping for example, I send it to friends or students who told me they keep fish in bowls or other inappropriate enclosures, (because preaching is never going to work) and just attach a little note of "Hey check this out! So amazing what they do." A change of mind or rethinking can not be forced, it can only happen if they rethink themselves.. It's gentle and non intrusive. Thank you for helping these pets.
Just two of the very best nature educators, and I so much respect Dr Clint's comfort in deferring to the experience of others, many would not, and it's something that adds to his charm & importance as an educator. No one knows everything, and deferring to others should be normalized, especially in channels with such high appeal to young people as this!
I kept ferrets as pets for a number of years. They are a lot of fun. I never felt comfortable letting mine free roam though. When they were out playing, I was there supervising and interacting with them. This really wasn't an issue. They had a large, multi-level cage with toys and their sleep sacks and hammocks so they'd go back there anyway when they were tired. I never found their musky scent an issue, but their litter boxes were kept clean and they got fresh bedding regularly which really helps keep the musk smell from building up. A fair percentage of what are sold as 'ferret toys' in pets stores are horrible and should never be given to ferrets. On the other hand get a length or two of dryer vent hose, some empty cases from canned soda or beer, and some tennis and golf balls and you have ferret utopia. The down side is their lifespan; 5-7 years and you can expect to be managing some health issues the last year or two with vet supervision so plan accordingly.
I think thats the biggest mistake ppl make is that they let their ferrets free roam unsupervised. I allow mine to free roam but I always supervise to make sure I know where they are and that they arent getting into something they shouldnt. One other thing is Ferrets should never have collars. All it takes is for that collar to get stuck on something and your Ferret can die from being hung. Biggest problem with Ferrets as a pet is that people impulse by them without knowing everything that goes into caring for one. I can only imagine how sad it can be for a ferret to bond with someone and then get rehomed some time after or sent to a rescue or even just live in an environment where they wont be happy. I fostered mine from a rescue and they were rehomed twice before. I grew to love them in just a short time I just adopted them because I couldnt stand to think about what would be like for them to get accustomed to another home just to get rehomed a 3rd or 4th time.
6:42 I love that clear container/fence/gate playpen thingy she has around their cage in her animal room. What is, what's it made of, and where can I get one cuz it looks AWESOME and would be very useful for almost any pet keeper!
I remember she was sent it as a sample and it was marketed as a dog pen, which it is obviously too small for, but damn if it is not great for other things. Imagine using it for a turtle pen with a pool and some land for them to crawl around in, or even other non climbing reptiles.
Would be awesome for rats, which can easily climb all other playpens, or chew right through them. Also house bunnies and guinea pigs. You are right, almost any pet. I want.
Ferrets are awesome. I have 3 atm., but 5 total over the last 10 years. All three are from a shelter. They are very unique pets. I always say they are a bit like cats on speed, with the social competence of a dog. You cant exactly train then like a dog, but they can get very social and cuddly and even learn tricks. Their playing resembles a cats play a bit better. They are also excellent climbers and will throw stuff from furniture or de-pot plants when they have the chance. They can crawl into the tiniest spaces so its very important to make your home ferret proof. For me personally the "worst" thing about ferrets is the cleaning. There are just so many poops lol XD. They have very short intestines, so food needs about 3-4 hours before it comes out the other end. But everything else is just so much fun, if your ferrets are properly socialized. The most important thing is to not keep a ferret alone. They love their humans, but its not a proper substitute for a ferret-friend. And also sterilize them! Fertile females can get very sick if they are not bred, because the hormones keep draining their bodies extremely. I am not sure how its called in english, in german its "Dauerranz" (Permanent-heat), so the females just wont go out of heat and can get miserably sick. Unfortunately the thing with cancer is very much true. My two first boys both had cancer, and one of my recent ferrets is having a form of lymphatic cancer that is luckily kept down with cortisone. What I think is maybe a bit rare, but what I had happen with one of my two first ferrets is dementia! I couldn't believe it at first, but when my boy was 8 years old he got dementia. He lived with that for about half a year before I had to put him down due to his cancer and a stroke. So unfortunately it is possible to run in a few health issues with them when they get older. Be sure you are willing to care for an elderly ferret, the same as caring for an elderly dog or cat. They very much need your love in those times, because they are so social with you. And they can actively mourn for months if a friend of them passes away. Sorry for my grim tirade... ferrets are really special and can be a great family member just like a dog or a cat can be. So its very important to do your research beforehand and be willing to put a lot of time and Effort in these pets. So if you do, ferrets are the best pets ever :)
Brilliant comment. I don't find the cleaning up very hard (just change pee pads in the playroom and clean the cage litter box once a day) but I love how detailed that was.
@@SobrietyandSolace Thank you! I have kept ferrets for 10 years know so there is a lot of trivia adding up lol. The cleaning isn't hard per se, it's just annoying with 3 Ferrets lol. We actually don't have a cage but let ours freeroam in the apartment like dogs and cats. That means everything has to be absolutely safe and that there are many "poop corners" to check every day lol. They have a " save room" though where they spend their time when we sleep or are at work, so that they can't do any mischief when we are gone lol.
I'm not gonna lie, I have a bias against Emzotic because of her talking terribly about other pet tubers and her own friends on kiwi forums. It's frustrating to see how that all seemed to be swept under the rug and I still see her around. I remember it hurting tremendously because I was like a huge HUGE fan of hers back before everything happened. This is off topic I know... But I can't be the only one who feels so conflicted right?
wow- that moment at around 7:45 where they meet face to face in the tube, and one just effortlessly *turns around* to go the other way! i knew they were flexible critters, but WOW!
I didn't know that ferrets were so sociable. Definitely a lot cooler than I thought they were. Also, I would love to see one of these for rats as I feel that they are very underrated as pets.
Honestly I think a lot of people who get ferrets without looking into it enough would prefer rats, because while they have most of the same problems, all mammals basically have those problems.
A small correction but apparently skunks are not considered mustelids and along with the stink badgers are now placed in their own family , mephitidae . They are more closely related to raccoons and red pandas than they are to true mustelids.
Dont be scared away by the mouthing. I had a few and once you work thru the exploratory bites as kits with a correction (yes they learn what no means) they learn very quickly how to "play bite" and they are great playmates. O and *ferret proof your room before you let them romp because they will find holes lol*
Something that you didn't discuss that's the biggest reason I can't have ferrets in my life at the moment is that they can squeeze through tiny spaces. Unless you have a very tidy home, I can imagine they could disappear just like that. It's a very important thing to know.
I dunno how you managed to do an entire video without mentioning the "weasel war dance" ferrets do when they're playing! It's SO STINKIN ADORABLE!!! Watching them bounce their butts and pounce on things is just about the most fun you can have watching them being all ferret-y! 🤣
I remember one time I went to a trailer to buy some weed. I was with a good friend but I had never been to his friends trailer. I was sitting on a table with a blanket draped over it and after we smoked I was feeling good. Under me their was some sort of animal running around and messing with the blanket. I was confused as hell because it would reach out and grab my foot from under the blanket like a cat would. Eventually the guy told us he had ferrets and compared them to snakes with fur and legs. He went on a long rant on how none of us should ever get one for some reason. That has to be one of the weirdest things that’s ever happened to me.
Speaking of the Mink Man, he posted an update video letting his subscribers know you'll be taking care of Raptor from now on. How is she doing? Will you be continuing training her at all? I'd love to see another video featuring her!
I just bought two little ferret boys three weeks ago. They're such good boys! Loving them. Also please review rats. They're definitely the best pet rodent
LOVED getting to see EM and Clint together!!!! Please do more!!!! I'd love to see Clint and Em and Emily and Ed all do a collab!!! Also truly loved the honesty about these animals. I feel a person needs to know about the down sides to ferret . Love you guys!
MAY FAVORITE MAMMAL PET! Sadly they have gone up by like 50% in price since COVID. Plus I only wanted 2 if I got one, so now I have a baby Colombian boa and have become obsessed lol. Ferrets dooking is music to my ears tho, so smart... Edit: I love she mentioned getting a pair - for most people it'd be hardly extra outside the cost of the ferret and will be easier to keep them occupied and happy when you have the busier moments of life. Such awesome animals, thanks Clint!!! :)
honestly my ferrets have helped my mental health. there’s so much joy since i’ve had them. playing with them watching them play. cleaning up after them has honestly helped my laziness and productivity. they are a very very time consuming animal. but honestly if you have time to hold them, talk to them, and play with them i honestly feel like there the perfect animal if you have the time and looking for some unpredictableness😂😂 there very curious. kinda smelly. please keep there habitat clean it will reduce the smell. but remember there scent is a defense mechanism there scent says “please don’t eat me” but honestly if you have time and are wanting one don’t second guess it if you feel your ready. cause they honestly will be an amazing addition to your life. IF YOU ARE READY AND FULLY COMMITTED. please these animals are dependent on you. but will love you if you love them. i know many people won’t read this. but if you want a ferret i’m hoping you do read this and take it with some thought. in conclusion they do take time out of your “relax time” but they are very very fun and great if you have the time and commitment. as said here some ferrets don’t enjoy company with peers but like 90% do enjoy company of another weasel so please consider atleast buying in pairs. i hope this helps and to anyone with a little fur snake i hope there doing amazing❤️😂
It's good seeing Emzotic in a collab. I've followed her since she was in the UK. How things have changed. Thanks, Clint. I had a Ferret 30 years ago, he was from a "Backyard Breeder" and lived a very long time, he lived to 13 or so. I also lived on a farm and we never had issues with mice or rats in the barn., He never killed anything, he was just allowed free roam of the barn, while we took care of the horses. This was a very bad idea for most people and ferrets, we just didn't know any better and he was a very well-behaved stink weasel. Also, Em has 3 Ferrets now. but that's a story people need to look into themselves.
FINALLY you made a video on ferrets!!! i call all the issues ferrets have "clown disease". Also, I'd like to clarify that minks are domesticated...just for fur, so they're not really for handling
I’ve been considering getting a ferret for years and just yesterday fell in love with one at a local store. I just woke up and saw this video and I feel like this might be a sign lol 😂
Not to be done without planning, be ready! Are you willing to spend a few hours EVERY day with it? Unlike other pets, they don't tolerate being left without daily contact. We have a 3 generation household of 5 & even then, lots of accomodation goes on.
You should! Get a pair of males so they have a buddy to play with when you’re not around. And get a giant cage with levels and a litter box, and loads of toys. They’re not hard to care for. My two boys were the best pets I ever had before they passed away. 🖤 Ferrets act like kittens forever.
Glad to see Emzotic seems to be in a much much better place than the last time I saw her content. I’m one of the subs she lost when her mental health took that steep nosedive a few years back and it looks like she’s done a lot of commendable work to get her brain healthy again! I’m gonna check her channel out again and probably resub!
She seems more normal now. Even before Danny, I could see something quirky with Emzotic just underneath that pretty face. I don't see that as much now. Hopefully she's learned from her experiences and found some partner that is better able to work with her issues.
Hey Clint, i got a uromastyx pretty recently and i havent even considered a reptile till i say your channel. He is amazing and just as great as the uros were in your video.
Ferrets are truly amazing. I had a ferret years ago named Xavi and he was....so smart. I taught him to roll over, jump through hoops, play dead etc. RIP Xavi, you were such a good boy ❤
Niffler sure is cute, although I don't think Dobby is doing so well lately. Hopefully she'll get better soon ❤️ I had a ferret when I was a girl and my mom was definitely not prepared for the aroma! Fantastic animals, shame they don't have more of a ball python lifespan.
I had been considering ferrets, and this video made me certain they're not right for me. Thanks for sharing! Argentine Tegu will be the next pet I get.
Can confirm from my own experiences that ferrets are one of the most bipolar pets around. They have their "stinky slinky" mode where they're equivilant to a sack of warm rice. They'll flop around whatever way you hold them with a glazed look in their eye. Then they have their "wired" mode where they hop around all over the place at mach 5. They do stink, but its kinda like wet dog smell; you get use to it over time.
I've wanted a ferret ever since I first saw "The Beastmaster" as a kid back in the mid 80s. Never got one though.. I did end up having a rat though, and surprisingly, it was a great pet.
I've had both a ferret and several (over 30) rats. My rats were friends with my ferret. I would recommend them both individually (although not necessarily together, because ferrets generally eat rats).
I remember my friends bringing their ferrets to my animal science class in high school. While they were educating the class, they were just casually folding and unfolding the ferrets. It didn’t seem like it should be okay for them to move like that. They’re fascinating little guys.
It can look a little cruel but the ferrets don't seem bothered by it and there's no resistance or anything. I've handled ferrets and it's just really weird how much you can bend and move ferrets around with absolutely no indication you are hurting them.
I used to keep a rescue Ferret that was already an adult when I was growing up and it was an animal I was allowed to look after by myself, but my parents only let me keep him outside in a hutch. It really wasn't the best set up but we let him play every day in the shed which we put toys in . If I was to get one again I'd definitely do it very differently but I was like 12/13 when I got him and I'm now 26.
I didn't get my own until I was 28 and had 16 years of industry experience under my belt. TBH A lot of people who keep them as working animals keep them outside and in hutches. You'll be great now.
I miss my two ferrets I had when I was 16. I’ve been a fan of Emma for years, and ferrets were the very first reason (but not the last) I started watching her! Love both of you guys!
Loving this video so far, but I do have to say - hutches are not bad for ferrets, at all. In Europe, hutches & outdoor enclosures are the most common way to house ferrets. Constant exposure to prolonged photoperiods that do not align with what occurs in nature, is a huge contributing factor to developing adrenal disease. Roughly 1 in 4 ferrets will be diagnosed with adrenal disease by the time they are 3-5 years old. Meanwhile in Europe, adrenal disease is much less common & only seen in ferrets who are desexed. This is because we usually keep out ferrets outdoors, and we keep them intact. Hutches are not small here, and in many other places in the world. A standard hutch size here is 5x2x2ft on both levels - this is bigger than any cages available on the market here in the UK (& Europe). Therefore, hutches are actually our *largest* option. For example, my hutch is the standard 5x2x2ft and cost me £120 new, with £60 worth of modifications (paint, hooks and wood beams for hammocks, sticky tile flooring so it is easy to clean & the walls are lined, etc). A grand total of £180, which is cheaper than any cage of a large size & larger than any cage anyway. For someone like me, who has 6 ferrets, at bare minimum I would need 2 ferret nations. Because of the climate of the UK surrounding Brexit, it would cost me oved £2,000 to buy & import 2 FN's to me, and that's praying I wouldn't have to pay customs fees. In the end, a hutch & supervised free roam with interaction, stimulatio & enrichment for 8+ hours a day just works out better. Why do we all of a sudden hate hutches anyway? No one ever talked about them until recently, and now everyone suddenly hates them. All the best breeders & rescues in the UK (& probably most of Europe) all love & stand by their hutches, runs & other outdoor enclosures.
I babysat a ferret before. My neighbor had a male ferret and he didn't want to leave him at home while visiting his mom. He already liked me so I took care of him every weekend. I even bought a large in closer for him and toys. I spent $400 on him. He was a cutie pie too. He loved cuddling before he played in his ferret play pen. I got balls for his birthday and he slept with one. He also tried stealing my socks and stuffed animals. He once stole my wallet from my backpack. I was in highschool when I babysat him. That was 20 + years ago. Ferrets are like furry slime balls of energy. They melt in your arms and contort themselves like bendable straw's. 👍❤️ They are very fun pets.
My ex's ferrets thought that pushing a full glass off a counter was the best thing in the world. Many keyboards ruined by Dr. Pepper in that house. Also, the "stinky slinky" dance is a good example of why ferrets being the lamest weasel is a good thing. Try to do that with the Mink & see how it goes.
I have a polecat hybrid. Marshall's ferrets are a poor example of this animal! I will look into that because I personally don't like how the whole bottom floor of their cage is basically toilet and they don't have more floor space.
here in the UK, most people who keep ferrets are farmers who use them to hunt rabbits - just as they did since ancient Roman times. They are very easy to keep - usually in outdoor rabbit hutches. They usually cost almost nothing - they sell for £1-5 at local livestock markets.
@8:43 I don't like that she says a "hutch" is not adequate. An animal "Hutch" is just a term for an enclosure, it doesn't denote size. Commonly available hutches very in size between entirely inadequate to quite expansive. Some commercially available ones being too large to fit through most doorways. If you're going to use a term like "Hutch" as "one of the worst things" to do, you need to either provide examples or reference a size. Instead she says that hutches are not good and then provides two examples of things that could also be called hutches and say that they are good.
Kirby was the largest ferret we have owned so far. He weighed close to 6 pounds! He bit the cage and broke a couple of bars!! He was an outstanding climber. (More like mountaineer) One time he got very sick and puked everything up he ate, did not poop so we took him to the vet. $5000 later the vet gave us the foam earplug that he ate they remove surgically from him. Darn good thing we knew about the Vet clinic in St Paul that specializes in exotic animals! Kirby lived 4 or 5 years after that...
6:32 THIS IS HUGE AND IMPORTANT TO KNOW!!! You will very very very most likely have a ferret die of cancer than old age. I grew up doing ferret rescuse and I've easily have had more than 40 ferrets...saddly, I can only think of maybe 6 off those dying of old age....at least 30 of them died of cancer...others from gland diseases and even diabetes.
Ferret nation cages are also the best option for housing chinchillas! Mine has been in several enclosures from different sources and the ferret nation has both lasted the longest and is the easiest to clean due to the double doors. I'd recommend tiling the floors with just like. Floor tiles you can get from home depot. Also screw lots of wooden shelves onto the bars for them to jump around and chew on!!
Ferrets absolutely can be litter box trained. The thing is, they have to go often and can't always wait. So if you provide several small pans - corner ones are best, as they tend to back up to go - they will use them! I had my ferrets free-roaming in my house, but litter boxes throughout. (Your house MUST be ferret proofed, to do this, and keep in mind that they can fit in places you'd never expect. I had a girl who could literally squeeze under the bathroom door!) I scooped them, daily.
This was SO much fun to shoot! The modification we made to the ceiling to accommodate the mic is till there and I think of both of you whenever I see it!
Come back soon!!!
Dam bitc you shot the poor thing?
Did it explode?
you two are my favorite
You both go so great together, when y'all getting married?
@@ShadoMoosess Of course you were just kiddin right? lol Clint is happily married ; lol
What pen did you use around your ferret tower? Baby and dog gates have failed me many times in the past and tired of rebuying stuff that isn't a long term solution
"You're really bad at being a weasel, but you're wonderful at being adorable."
That is the best summary of ferrets I've ever heard.
They're not bad at being weasels though. At least in the UK where lots of them are still working animals. Very intelligent, very functional but also handful because they are so clever and capable. Maybe they should look at the EU polecat next.
Ferrets may be the lamest weasel but dwarf caiman are the lamest crocodilian and nobody will call them lame
@@Breviparopus Ferrets are bigger and stronger than weasels though.
Ferrets, the best pet cat snake hybrid made by a wizard.
The true basilisk 😂
Best comment ever
World's First Praying Mantis taking a Flight on a Drone:
ruclips.net/video/kK4UcUjn430/видео.html
A stinky, mischievous wizard.
Though one has to wonder where they got the energy from.
I can feel the rat review approaching and I appreciate that.
also love the mammal reviews slowly trickling in generally.
Are rats the best pet rodents?.....Yes. Yes they are.
World's First Praying Mantis taking a Flight on a Drone:
ruclips.net/video/kK4UcUjn430/видео.html
@@seb24789 I don't even think there's much meaningful competition for the title of best pet rodent with rats. For most people they just are the best pet rodent, although with the caveats that of course rodents aren't for everyone anyway.
@@seb24789 Agreed. I had them for 9 years.
Agreed! I’m happy to hear Clint talk about ANY critters, and there’s something especially fun about his take on various mammals.
I love ferrets! They are adorable and I love their twisty bodies and high energy! The routine you described reminds me of what we did with my rats when I had them - daily litter box cleaning, checking for lumps, playtime, food prep.... and ugh, the smell! I miss my rats, they were awesome! Not great pets to have now that I've got a house full of snakes though....
World's First Praying Mantis taking a Flight on a Drone:
ruclips.net/video/kK4UcUjn430/видео.html
It is tough to try to keep both.
"before you get a ferret, go sniff some ferrets."
-Clint Laidlaw, 2021
@@ClintsReptiles So true!
@@davidjager23 sounds kinky but isnt.. sums up Clint 100%
One thing I think EVERY ferret owner should do immediately is find an exotic vet and have a plan for after hour/weekend emergencies. MANY emergency vets DO NOT accept ferrets. I knew someone whose ferret was have seizures out of the blue one weekend and called 14 different emergency vets and her ferret died. I can only imagine how helpless she felt going through that. Ferrets are a roit though! I used to have two when I was younger! My first one was an albino I got from a pet shop and he was so sweet. The second one I got from a breeder and she was gorgeous but not as sweet lol. I think he was happier having a friend though, even if I didn't get along with her very well!
It helps to also do your research and know what to do yourself if you cannot get to vet or there will be a wait to get them to the vet. E.g. if a ferret is having an insulinoma-related hypoglycaemic seizure, usually a bit of honey will help. You should have animal first aid kids, wormer, thermometers and all that jazz at home. I have multiple chronic illnesses and have my own equipment, backup drugs etc for myself as well because getting to a doctor has been impossible or I've bene expected to treat myself including doing my own freaking wound care in the doctor's office. anyway. You can never rely too much on other people especially in these times... I would expect vets in the UK to not refuse a ferret though. They're not purple cows form Mars and related to our native species.
@@SobrietyandSolace agreed! It helps to be prepared. When I owned ferrets the vet I took my cats to did not have an exotic vet on staff and wouldn't see ferrets (I live in the US). I had to switch to a different place that was about an hour away. Thankfully I never had any emergencies after hours with mine, but it's not something I ever thought about until I read that tragic story.
Better yet, most people just shouldn't get a ferret.
There are only 2 vets that treat exotic pets in my city. Luckily, CSU Vet teaching hospital is about 45 min away. Granted when I think my ferret broke his leg I made it down there in 25min. Surgery for ferrets can range from $250(removal of an MCT on the skin) to $2k+(removal of cancer of the adrenal gland and pancreas with 7-day hospital care). Sadly I had my boy Bomber die at 3.5 years due to very aggressive cancer that spread really quickly to almost every organ in a couple of weeks. My pet's yearly shot and check-up only cost $40. Granted after hour care starts at $175.00 which is cheap in this area but they provide some of the best care. While the Vet hospital visits will start at about $175 and go up from there. Furthermore, most of the time when they need simple things like X-rays they do have to go under to do them most of the time.
This is solid advice, I'd say it's a good idea to do that research *before* one gets an animal really, especially an exotic. There's only two exotic vets here in town, and neither takes pet insurance that I know of, so... no exotic pets for me (well, no pets at all because of pet fees for this apartment costing more then an animal adoption+vet visit and shots would, and more in extra rent then the food...)
This video took me back in time a few decades. I had a ferret in the mid '80's before anybody had heard of them. He had his own room in the house (our den) which happened to have a stone floor. He would "do his business" in a corner which we kept lined with newspapers. He was a wonderful friend. He would climb on my dad and steal cigarettes out of the pack in his pocket. He would take them to the floor and roll them around like a toy until he rolled them under the couch where nobody could retrieve them, whereupon he would repeat the process. My dad died of a heart attack at age 56. I wish Bandit had stolen more of his cigarettes.
He did his best with his small legs
My ferrets stole my cigarettes too! Probably something to do with the smell that attracted them. Thankfully I quit a few years later.
Every vice continues due to an attempt to self medicate. (I'm not promoting pharmaceuticals either...........that seems even worse) I don't have a solution.
Bandit did his best. what a sweet memory. i know i’ll never forget my silly boys stealing all the socks they could. i miss them so much.
@@grimmsus1469 Life really is mundane without them, isn't it?
I’m a vet student and I’ve been told (jokingly) by exotic vets that ferrets are the “money-maker” for them because after they turn 4 more or less they start having lots of health issues, which is a shame because they are awesome pets
I've heard they are one of the closest animals to humans in terms of the respiratory system, but I am not a vet or vet student or anything and do not know anything about that.
At least in the USA, almost all ferrets you see for sale are mass produced by Marshalls, which is pretty much a ferret mill. I'm so glad she mentioned this. Try to seek out breeders that care about selective breeding and avoiding inbreeding. We don't have nearly enough breeders in the USA unfortunately because this information isn't widespread enough, and too many places have restrictions on keeping them. The U.K. seems far more reasonable in these respects.
Yes! My biggest concerns with my ferrets were insulinoma and adrenal disease, but other cancers like leukemia are common too. American ferrets, as mentioned in other comments, are mostly mass produced, as well as desexed VERY young. It’s my understanding that ferrets in the UK tend to have better life expectancies, though 5-7 years for us is common. Sucks, because they’re darlings!
@Jorge Sobrino, almost every procedure requires some chemical restraint so that is another charge. I own one & have treated most all animals as a vet tech but they are the hardest to restrain IMHO. Good luck in your career!
@@marmelium I had a marshal ferret that lived to be 12 years old. 6-10 years seems to be the average ferret lifespan in the USA, dependent on proper diet and veterinary care. These days, deslorelin implants can help resolve adrenal disease if not completely prevent it if you implant it when they're young. Major strides have been made in treating conditions in ferrets. There are treatments for insulinoma as well besides surgery. My vet now freezes off skin growths rather than requiring an expensive surgery. Just like with people, proper medical care has a beneficial impact on lifespan.
Ferrets are joy incarnate. I have never witnessed a more blissfully unaware and chaotically cheerful animal in my life. It's like their positivity oozes out of the screen, so if you're ever sad, ferret videos are awesome to watch.
My family had a pair of ferrets, and something we learned along the way is their curiosity arguably outweighs that of a cat, so if there is a single crack in a wall or piece of furniture, they will try to explore it! Always made for a good game of hide and seek, but if you ever plan to take them outside be sure your yard is "ferret proofed"
such great advice--waiting until after you get an animal can be bad news
Their curiosity definitely outweighs cats! While kittens can be a handful and knock things over when they learn to jump, a ferret will get into far more things! Luckily they don't have to chew on everything like a rodent would, or we'd have lost a lot of expensive cords and cables in our house lol.
We've spent hundreds ferret proofing the house 😂
Our Riki hoarded raw potatoes until we figured out what was going on.
Oh boy, I have seen that weasel behavior with a real weasel I raised for two months. He could go inside and outside at will, but I was really afraid for him on the fourth of July. I tried to block any holes, but he found one in a very weird spot under the counter. I put tape all over it and he proceeded to freak out like a wild man ripping at the tape, so I let him out. He was back the next morning and I was very relieved. Vids of him are on my channel.
My yard is most definitely not ferret proof.
@@katiekane5247 I love that about animals doing crazy stuff. One winter I found all the pockets of my clothes (on hangers) had stashes of sunflower seeds and my boots had a big cache. That was just wild mice. Riki sounds like he is worth the money just for that laugh alone.
As a man with a business of 9 ferrets i can personally tell you. Yes. Ferrets are the best pet mammals and possibly the best pet ever.
Hahahhaha business of ferrets.
Small business of 4 here, best pets ever!! 9 must get pretty chaotic lol
@@TimS. My family has 6. I like 4 of them, and I find them annoying at times, but really cute! Still pretty annoying though...
@@destructionduo1168 I had someone describe owning ferrets as "having a bunch of toddlers running around getting into everything" and that's how I see my four stinkers now lol. I love them but they can be frustrating (and hurt your wallet lol)
@@TimS. My God that is a PERFECT description. Any time I open the shoe closet: BAM; three ferrets all stampeding the door as I try to push the waves back.
Try to go into my room, (which they aren't allowed in since my vents don't have covers still) BAM! Have a ferret running after me whilst my hands are full and cannot keep it away. Also, one of them likes to sneak under the door so we have to put towels or blankets under them.
They also don't like our most recent kitten we decided to foster and keep 🥲
Just something to note, while Clint said he doesn't mind a Skunk spray smell, it is no where even in the same ballpark of a ferret. A skunk spray will make you gag but a ferret scent is just kinda something you get used to.
Consequently, both can be de-scented and Skunks actually make fairly good pets if you are well prepared.
Em and Clint. A collaboration I thought I'd never see. If you're doing mammals, I'd love to see gray short tailed opossums!
I'd go nuts if Em got button quail and Clint got a Dasypeltis (though I think Em already has diamond doves that could feed a baby), that would be great collab material
You can have them as pets? That’s pretty cool.
@@john-paulsilke893 I don't know about all states, but my state prevents native opossums as pets. The US only has one species native here, so theoretically all other 110+ species would be legal. But gray short tailed opossums (Monodelphis domestica) are the only truly domesticated species. All other species are wild caught rather than captive-bred.
@@SockyNoob neat. Weird little animals that are oddly cute.
Please please please look at adopting a rescued ferret before buying from a pet store. All my ferrets have been rescues & the love they give you for giving them a better & second chance is next to none.
Clint had Em host the show so he can spend the whole day playing with the ferrets, clever reptile man
Super cool to see you two collab 😁
I had 2 ferrets, one died at 2 from blood cancer (albino male) and my girl was so depressed for a long time after. She passed at 10 from adrenal cancer. She had lupron shots which helped but now they have slow release implants.
I'm very surprised they didnt mention the reason they get adrenal disease. When they are neutered/spayed their brains still send out signals to produce lots of hormone which have no where to go and adrenal glands cant keep up with being flooded and confused. Usually females have a liter of kits about every year which changes the signaling naturally but they have no ovaries and dont get pregnant with us meaning their just flooded with it all the time and the adrenal glands give out and grow tumors. The Lupron binds to the excess hormone and removes it from their system. Every ferret should get the shots or implant to manage this and prevent adrenal disease.
Very well explained, didnt know that myself so thanks
I didn't know there were shots or implants to prevent this! Wow! Thank you!
Out of curiosity how much was that vet bill? Sounds like a dozy.
@@vando6679 well.. she passed in 2012 and the last 5 years of her life I worked as a vet tech and got at cost care so it's hard to say. The initial visit was at an exotics vet, then we did maintenance injections for a while until he retired and my workplace just ordered it for me. The implants should cut down on this a lot though.
@@MintyFarts well I'm glad you got some kind of discount. Vet Bill's can be insane.
Such a wholesome collab!
I read the title as a "best pet mama", saw Em and said YES 🤣🤣
Aww now I miss my carpet sharks. I had a pair in the late 90s, Pinky and Pyscho and albino and a sable. They were so much fun, tons of trouble and as different as night and day in their personalities and which toys they preferred. Pinky liked rubber toys so she had a ton of rubber dog toys and pyscho liked plush toys she had a ton of McDonald’s toy ty beanie babies. Everyday they came out to terrorize the cats and would empty their toy box and hide their toys under the furniture and at nap time I’d spend an hour retrieving all toys to put them so they could do it all again later. Yes they have a stink, but if you clean up their poops regularly it really isn’t that bad you get used to it and it’s a better smell then some other pets and people produce. They also make great neck warmers as long as it isn’t a face nipper like pinky was, she didn’t like being near faces, they are the best agents to point out all the little spots you didn’t think they could reach, you want to baby proof borrow a couple ferrets you’ll find all the hidden spot you need to fix.
there's an actual species of shark called carpet sharks, so the opening sentence of your comment confused me for a moment
@@gingermcgingin4106 and it can be split up in to 2 groups
Those that are bottom dwellers and those who are not (such as Whale Sharks)
Ferrets make the best pets! We've had ferrets for decades as pets, and have never been happier, more entertained, and ease of care, than with ferrets. We've had dogs and cats, but our hearts strings were never tugged more with any other pet. We miss our critters from the past, and always will.😢
3:51 Not anymore apparently, a recent study now places that Skunks and Stink Badgers in their own family, Mephitidae. And a 2017 study using retroposon markers show that they are more closely related to the Ailuridae (red pandas) and Procyonidae (raccoons, Coati, Kinkajou, etc) then they are to Weasels
Also male ferrets tend to be easier to handle. Females tend to be more selective as to who they want to have around them. I had 4 ferrets, 2 males and 2 females. My males were super sweet and the females were divas to say the least.
Really? Because I work at a pet store, and that's been the opposite of my experience! The males are often FEISTY lil weasels while most of our females are a bit more curious and patient. All of our main biters were males.
Depends if you haven't worked it out. Depending on your gender and most importantly hormones, is how the mammals will respond to you. Male kangaroo around a female or girl, big curious friendly lump - wild male kangaroo around male human will do their level best to kick your testicles out via your ears.
@@tapirsareunder-appreciated2272 In my 6 years of experience with ferrets the males ae always calmer and the females usually insane. These are UK ferrets though. Those weird American ferrets are someting else entirely
I had 3 males 3 females I agree
I have a female, and she's even sweeter than my two males. I think it varies case to case.
I have always absolutely loved ferrets. They are the most joyful, exuberant creatures around. I really like the mild musky smell of a descented ferret. It smells like a musk perfume to me.
Shorter-lived pets have benefits too: shorter commitment in terms of housing a pet (in case you have to move, go to college, want a different pet, etc.), ability to rescue more animals, especially if they can be kept communally, etc. Long-tailed weasels live only about 2-3 years in the wild. Opossums are also particularly short-lived. I'm glad you talked about the cost of vet care, which is really high now, along with some of the medications. Rats also require a lot of expensive vet care because, like the ferret, only recently were they bred for health; they get tumors, cancer, respiratory infections, heart problems. I once asked my rat/exotic vet about possibly going from rats to ferrets and she said "they are the only pet worse than rats in terms of health problems." So, having a LOCAL exotic vet ("small animal" vets see dogs and cats) is a necessity. I have to drive 90 minutes to see my rat vet and it's not ideal. But I love them so much! Ferrets sound similar with all the sleeping, which is actually great if you work.
I've been struggling to get mine to not sleep all day since winter rolled around lol We tell them to go play and they scratch at the door wanting to be put back in their cage.
@@SobrietyandSolace Here is what I say about rats: They will drive you crazy! But they also like to sleep a lot after they are adults. Make sure the play area has a few outrageously delicious snacks waiting for them. Then they'll eat the snacks and scratch at the door...
I’m so glad you did this video. I have a customer that has a ferret. The cage is smaller than it should be judging by what I gathered watching this video. Since they know I don’t know anything about ferrets, I’m going to excitedly send them this video telling them how cool I thought it was since I just met theirs. Maybe this will help them. Thank you both so much!
That's very gentle and kindhearted, this is also the way I try to gently help people with their pet husbandry. Whenever I find a sweet entertaining video about good aquarium keeping for example, I send it to friends or students who told me they keep fish in bowls or other inappropriate enclosures, (because preaching is never going to work) and just attach a little note of "Hey check this out! So amazing what they do."
A change of mind or rethinking can not be forced, it can only happen if they rethink themselves.. It's gentle and non intrusive. Thank you for helping these pets.
Just two of the very best nature educators, and I so much respect Dr Clint's comfort in deferring to the experience of others, many would not, and it's something that adds to his charm & importance as an educator. No one knows everything, and deferring to others should be normalized, especially in channels with such high appeal to young people as this!
I kept ferrets as pets for a number of years. They are a lot of fun. I never felt comfortable letting mine free roam though. When they were out playing, I was there supervising and interacting with them. This really wasn't an issue. They had a large, multi-level cage with toys and their sleep sacks and hammocks so they'd go back there anyway when they were tired. I never found their musky scent an issue, but their litter boxes were kept clean and they got fresh bedding regularly which really helps keep the musk smell from building up. A fair percentage of what are sold as 'ferret toys' in pets stores are horrible and should never be given to ferrets. On the other hand get a length or two of dryer vent hose, some empty cases from canned soda or beer, and some tennis and golf balls and you have ferret utopia. The down side is their lifespan; 5-7 years and you can expect to be managing some health issues the last year or two with vet supervision so plan accordingly.
I think thats the biggest mistake ppl make is that they let their ferrets free roam unsupervised. I allow mine to free roam but I always supervise to make sure I know where they are and that they arent getting into something they shouldnt. One other thing is Ferrets should never have collars. All it takes is for that collar to get stuck on something and your Ferret can die from being hung.
Biggest problem with Ferrets as a pet is that people impulse by them without knowing everything that goes into caring for one. I can only imagine how sad it can be for a ferret to bond with someone and then get rehomed some time after or sent to a rescue or even just live in an environment where they wont be happy. I fostered mine from a rescue and they were rehomed twice before. I grew to love them in just a short time I just adopted them because I couldnt stand to think about what would be like for them to get accustomed to another home just to get rehomed a 3rd or 4th time.
6:42 I love that clear container/fence/gate playpen thingy she has around their cage in her animal room. What is, what's it made of, and where can I get one cuz it looks AWESOME and would be very useful for almost any pet keeper!
She’s mentioned it on her channel before, I think the brand is “clearly loved pets” !
@@cassidymae3214 Will check it, much appreciated!
I remember she was sent it as a sample and it was marketed as a dog pen, which it is obviously too small for, but damn if it is not great for other things. Imagine using it for a turtle pen with a pool and some land for them to crawl around in, or even other non climbing reptiles.
Would be awesome for rats, which can easily climb all other playpens, or chew right through them. Also house bunnies and guinea pigs. You are right, almost any pet. I want.
ruh roh, they are $500-600 bucks. Back to cardboard.
Ferrets are awesome. I have 3 atm., but 5 total over the last 10 years. All three are from a shelter. They are very unique pets. I always say they are a bit like cats on speed, with the social competence of a dog. You cant exactly train then like a dog, but they can get very social and cuddly and even learn tricks. Their playing resembles a cats play a bit better. They are also excellent climbers and will throw stuff from furniture or de-pot plants when they have the chance. They can crawl into the tiniest spaces so its very important to make your home ferret proof. For me personally the "worst" thing about ferrets is the cleaning. There are just so many poops lol XD. They have very short intestines, so food needs about 3-4 hours before it comes out the other end. But everything else is just so much fun, if your ferrets are properly socialized. The most important thing is to not keep a ferret alone. They love their humans, but its not a proper substitute for a ferret-friend. And also sterilize them! Fertile females can get very sick if they are not bred, because the hormones keep draining their bodies extremely. I am not sure how its called in english, in german its "Dauerranz" (Permanent-heat), so the females just wont go out of heat and can get miserably sick. Unfortunately the thing with cancer is very much true. My two first boys both had cancer, and one of my recent ferrets is having a form of lymphatic cancer that is luckily kept down with cortisone. What I think is maybe a bit rare, but what I had happen with one of my two first ferrets is dementia! I couldn't believe it at first, but when my boy was 8 years old he got dementia. He lived with that for about half a year before I had to put him down due to his cancer and a stroke. So unfortunately it is possible to run in a few health issues with them when they get older. Be sure you are willing to care for an elderly ferret, the same as caring for an elderly dog or cat. They very much need your love in those times, because they are so social with you. And they can actively mourn for months if a friend of them passes away. Sorry for my grim tirade... ferrets are really special and can be a great family member just like a dog or a cat can be. So its very important to do your research beforehand and be willing to put a lot of time and Effort in these pets. So if you do, ferrets are the best pets ever :)
Brilliant comment. I don't find the cleaning up very hard (just change pee pads in the playroom and clean the cage litter box once a day) but I love how detailed that was.
@@SobrietyandSolace Thank you! I have kept ferrets for 10 years know so there is a lot of trivia adding up lol. The cleaning isn't hard per se, it's just annoying with 3 Ferrets lol. We actually don't have a cage but let ours freeroam in the apartment like dogs and cats. That means everything has to be absolutely safe and that there are many "poop corners" to check every day lol. They have a " save room" though where they spend their time when we sleep or are at work, so that they can't do any mischief when we are gone lol.
I'm not gonna lie, I have a bias against Emzotic because of her talking terribly about other pet tubers and her own friends on kiwi forums. It's frustrating to see how that all seemed to be swept under the rug and I still see her around. I remember it hurting tremendously because I was like a huge HUGE fan of hers back before everything happened. This is off topic I know... But I can't be the only one who feels so conflicted right?
Don't forget her abusive behavior towards her ex...😳😳
Wait, what?
@@NitroIndigo look it up.
That guy going to town on your arm was cracking me up man!😂
"A creature that sleeps almost all of the time." Wow, I feel called out.
The amount of adoration Clint has for every single animal he meets is so charming and relatable.
I've never heard anyone talk about whether ferrets can be fed frozen thawed mice. I mean, their natural diet is rodents, wouldn't it be perfect?
The nose wiggle at the end killed it for me! 14:33
wow- that moment at around 7:45 where they meet face to face in the tube, and one just effortlessly *turns around* to go the other way! i knew they were flexible critters, but WOW!
Absolutely boneless.
Psst! Skunks are no longer considered mustelids, although they are definitely musteloids.
I didn't know that ferrets were so sociable. Definitely a lot cooler than I thought they were. Also, I would love to see one of these for rats as I feel that they are very underrated as pets.
Honestly I think a lot of people who get ferrets without looking into it enough would prefer rats, because while they have most of the same problems, all mammals basically have those problems.
A small correction but apparently skunks are not considered mustelids and along with the stink badgers are now placed in their own family , mephitidae . They are more closely related to raccoons and red pandas than they are to true mustelids.
Dont be scared away by the mouthing. I had a few and once you work thru the exploratory bites as kits with a correction (yes they learn what no means) they learn very quickly how to "play bite" and they are great playmates. O and *ferret proof your room before you let them romp because they will find holes lol*
Something that you didn't discuss that's the biggest reason I can't have ferrets in my life at the moment is that they can squeeze through tiny spaces. Unless you have a very tidy home, I can imagine they could disappear just like that. It's a very important thing to know.
I dunno how you managed to do an entire video without mentioning the "weasel war dance" ferrets do when they're playing! It's SO STINKIN ADORABLE!!! Watching them bounce their butts and pounce on things is just about the most fun you can have watching them being all ferret-y! 🤣
I remember one time I went to a trailer to buy some weed. I was with a good friend but I had never been to his friends trailer. I was sitting on a table with a blanket draped over it and after we smoked I was feeling good. Under me their was some sort of animal running around and messing with the blanket. I was confused as hell because it would reach out and grab my foot from under the blanket like a cat would. Eventually the guy told us he had ferrets and compared them to snakes with fur and legs. He went on a long rant on how none of us should ever get one for some reason. That has to be one of the weirdest things that’s ever happened to me.
Speaking of the Mink Man, he posted an update video letting his subscribers know you'll be taking care of Raptor from now on. How is she doing? Will you be continuing training her at all? I'd love to see another video featuring her!
Imma be honest yall scared me with the "Well hi there!" Perfect unison, intense eye contact. 👁
I just bought two little ferret boys three weeks ago. They're such good boys! Loving them.
Also please review rats. They're definitely the best pet rodent
@@micahboyd7392 Rats aren't rodents? Really? Because I'm pretty sure they are rodents.
@@micahboyd7392 lmao. Rats are rodents.
@@micahboyd7392 buck teeth? Wtf?
LOVED getting to see EM and Clint together!!!! Please do more!!!! I'd love to see Clint and Em and Emily and Ed all do a collab!!! Also truly loved the honesty about these animals. I feel a person needs to know about the down sides to ferret . Love you guys!
MAY FAVORITE MAMMAL PET! Sadly they have gone up by like 50% in price since COVID. Plus I only wanted 2 if I got one, so now I have a baby Colombian boa and have become obsessed lol. Ferrets dooking is music to my ears tho, so smart... Edit: I love she mentioned getting a pair - for most people it'd be hardly extra outside the cost of the ferret and will be easier to keep them occupied and happy when you have the busier moments of life. Such awesome animals, thanks Clint!!! :)
honestly my ferrets have helped my mental health. there’s so much joy since i’ve had them. playing with them watching them play. cleaning up after them has honestly helped my laziness and productivity. they are a very very time consuming animal. but honestly if you have time to hold them, talk to them, and play with them i honestly feel like there the perfect animal if you have the time and looking for some unpredictableness😂😂 there very curious. kinda smelly. please keep there habitat clean it will reduce the smell. but remember there scent is a defense mechanism there scent says “please don’t eat me” but honestly if you have time and are wanting one don’t second guess it if you feel your ready. cause they honestly will be an amazing addition to your life. IF YOU ARE READY AND FULLY COMMITTED. please these animals are dependent on you. but will love you if you love them. i know many people won’t read this. but if you want a ferret i’m hoping you do read this and take it with some thought. in conclusion they do take time out of your “relax time” but they are very very fun and great if you have the time and commitment. as said here some ferrets don’t enjoy company with peers but like 90% do enjoy company of another weasel so please consider atleast buying in pairs. i hope this helps and to anyone with a little fur snake i hope there doing amazing❤️😂
It's good seeing Emzotic in a collab. I've followed her since she was in the UK. How things have changed. Thanks, Clint. I had a Ferret 30 years ago, he was from a "Backyard Breeder" and lived a very long time, he lived to 13 or so. I also lived on a farm and we never had issues with mice or rats in the barn., He never killed anything, he was just allowed free roam of the barn, while we took care of the horses. This was a very bad idea for most people and ferrets, we just didn't know any better and he was a very well-behaved stink weasel.
Also, Em has 3 Ferrets now. but that's a story people need to look into themselves.
FINALLY you made a video on ferrets!!! i call all the issues ferrets have "clown disease".
Also, I'd like to clarify that minks are domesticated...just for fur, so they're not really for handling
I’ve been considering getting a ferret for years and just yesterday fell in love with one at a local store. I just woke up and saw this video and I feel like this might be a sign lol 😂
Not to be done without planning, be ready! Are you willing to spend a few hours EVERY day with it? Unlike other pets, they don't tolerate being left without daily contact. We have a 3 generation household of 5 & even then, lots of accomodation goes on.
You should! Get a pair of males so they have a buddy to play with when you’re not around. And get a giant cage with levels and a litter box, and loads of toys. They’re not hard to care for. My two boys were the best pets I ever had before they passed away. 🖤 Ferrets act like kittens forever.
Did you adopt the ferret?
Glad to see Emzotic seems to be in a much much better place than the last time I saw her content. I’m one of the subs she lost when her mental health took that steep nosedive a few years back and it looks like she’s done a lot of commendable work to get her brain healthy again! I’m gonna check her channel out again and probably resub!
She seems more normal now. Even before Danny, I could see something quirky with Emzotic just underneath that pretty face. I don't see that as much now. Hopefully she's learned from her experiences and found some partner that is better able to work with her issues.
Hey Clint, i got a uromastyx pretty recently and i havent even considered a reptile till i say your channel. He is amazing and just as great as the uros were in your video.
Ferrets are truly amazing. I had a ferret years ago named Xavi and he was....so smart. I taught him to roll over, jump through hoops, play dead etc. RIP Xavi, you were such a good boy ❤
I have a pair of Prairie Dogs. You should totally do a video on whether or not they are the best pet mammal!
You can have pet prairie dogs?! That sounds adorable and awesome.
How are they as pets?
@@Kobolds_in_a_trenchcoat they are not legal everywhere but yes. They can be kept as pets. They are a lot of fun.
@@_Solaris they require a lot of socializing but once they bond with you they can be super sweet and cuddly.
@@ReneeMichaelsActor cool.
Who knew?
I used to keep Ferrets. Absolute darling creatures. They are are like kittens all their lives
I loved when the ferret said “it’s Ferrin time” and started ferretin all over the place
Ferrets are like a combination of puppies and cats. I LOVE THEM.
A collaboration I was not expecting!
Surprise!
This video made my life more livable, I get so excited and happy when my favorite people collaborate. Ferrets are awesome, I am happy
Niffler sure is cute, although I don't think Dobby is doing so well lately. Hopefully she'll get better soon ❤️ I had a ferret when I was a girl and my mom was definitely not prepared for the aroma! Fantastic animals, shame they don't have more of a ball python lifespan.
It would be amazing if they did! That would be a lot of mischief...
Em is such a wonderful ambassador for her species.
I had been considering ferrets, and this video made me certain they're not right for me. Thanks for sharing!
Argentine Tegu will be the next pet I get.
Wow, a tegu! That certainly is not a ferret.
Can confirm from my own experiences that ferrets are one of the most bipolar pets around. They have their "stinky slinky" mode where they're equivilant to a sack of warm rice. They'll flop around whatever way you hold them with a glazed look in their eye. Then they have their "wired" mode where they hop around all over the place at mach 5. They do stink, but its kinda like wet dog smell; you get use to it over time.
I've wanted a ferret ever since I first saw "The Beastmaster" as a kid back in the mid 80s.
Never got one though.. I did end up having a rat though, and surprisingly, it was a great pet.
Ferrets are great too, stinky but great.
I have owned many ferrets for many years... I too loved The Beastmaster... I will say this however... my ferrets have never saved me from quicksand.
I've had both a ferret and several (over 30) rats. My rats were friends with my ferret. I would recommend them both individually (although not necessarily together, because ferrets generally eat rats).
I have an entire array of animals and my ferrets are whole heartedly my life. My pride and joy.
I remember my friends bringing their ferrets to my animal science class in high school. While they were educating the class, they were just casually folding and unfolding the ferrets. It didn’t seem like it should be okay for them to move like that. They’re fascinating little guys.
They're like a living slinky toy.
It can look a little cruel but the ferrets don't seem bothered by it and there's no resistance or anything. I've handled ferrets and it's just really weird how much you can bend and move ferrets around with absolutely no indication you are hurting them.
Oh yeah, for sure. It just looks so crazy to me!
I seriously just before this video I found Em zotics channel what a coincidence
I used to keep a rescue Ferret that was already an adult when I was growing up and it was an animal I was allowed to look after by myself, but my parents only let me keep him outside in a hutch. It really wasn't the best set up but we let him play every day in the shed which we put toys in . If I was to get one again I'd definitely do it very differently but I was like 12/13 when I got him and I'm now 26.
I didn't get my own until I was 28 and had 16 years of industry experience under my belt. TBH A lot of people who keep them as working animals keep them outside and in hutches. You'll be great now.
I miss my two ferrets I had when I was 16. I’ve been a fan of Emma for years, and ferrets were the very first reason (but not the last) I started watching her!
Love both of you guys!
Loving this video so far, but I do have to say - hutches are not bad for ferrets, at all. In Europe, hutches & outdoor enclosures are the most common way to house ferrets. Constant exposure to prolonged photoperiods that do not align with what occurs in nature, is a huge contributing factor to developing adrenal disease.
Roughly 1 in 4 ferrets will be diagnosed with adrenal disease by the time they are 3-5 years old. Meanwhile in Europe, adrenal disease is much less common & only seen in ferrets who are desexed. This is because we usually keep out ferrets outdoors, and we keep them intact.
Hutches are not small here, and in many other places in the world. A standard hutch size here is 5x2x2ft on both levels - this is bigger than any cages available on the market here in the UK (& Europe). Therefore, hutches are actually our *largest* option. For example, my hutch is the standard 5x2x2ft and cost me £120 new, with £60 worth of modifications (paint, hooks and wood beams for hammocks, sticky tile flooring so it is easy to clean & the walls are lined, etc). A grand total of £180, which is cheaper than any cage of a large size & larger than any cage anyway. For someone like me, who has 6 ferrets, at bare minimum I would need 2 ferret nations. Because of the climate of the UK surrounding Brexit, it would cost me oved £2,000 to buy & import 2 FN's to me, and that's praying I wouldn't have to pay customs fees.
In the end, a hutch & supervised free roam with interaction, stimulatio & enrichment for 8+ hours a day just works out better.
Why do we all of a sudden hate hutches anyway? No one ever talked about them until recently, and now everyone suddenly hates them. All the best breeders & rescues in the UK (& probably most of Europe) all love & stand by their hutches, runs & other outdoor enclosures.
I babysat a ferret before. My neighbor had a male ferret and he didn't want to leave him at home while visiting his mom. He already liked me so I took care of him every weekend. I even bought a large in closer for him and toys. I spent $400 on him. He was a cutie pie too. He loved cuddling before he played in his ferret play pen. I got balls for his birthday and he slept with one. He also tried stealing my socks and stuffed animals. He once stole my wallet from my backpack. I was in highschool when I babysat him. That was 20 + years ago. Ferrets are like furry slime balls of energy. They melt in your arms and contort themselves like bendable straw's. 👍❤️ They are very fun pets.
This is amazing, my two favorite Animals Lovers together today, what a surprise. Em is such an amazing woman, so great to see her on your show.
Please review skunks and fennec foxes!
Emzotic and clint’s reptiles collab?!!!! This is something I did NOT know I needed
My ex's ferrets thought that pushing a full glass off a counter was the best thing in the world. Many keyboards ruined by Dr. Pepper in that house.
Also, the "stinky slinky" dance is a good example of why ferrets being the lamest weasel is a good thing. Try to do that with the Mink & see how it goes.
Ferret: Pushing a glass off the counter is the best thing in the world!
Cat: Ah, I see you are a mammal of culture as well.
I have a polecat hybrid. Marshall's ferrets are a poor example of this animal! I will look into that because I personally don't like how the whole bottom floor of their cage is basically toilet and they don't have more floor space.
here in the UK, most people who keep ferrets are farmers who use them to hunt rabbits - just as they did since ancient Roman times. They are very easy to keep - usually in outdoor rabbit hutches. They usually cost almost nothing - they sell for £1-5 at local livestock markets.
Can you do a video on mangrove monitors
Yay, a cross over with Emzotic. Was not seeing that coming, although I suppose I should have. She has some great content.
great content? lol
Who else here loves critically endangered black-footed ferrets
And EU polecats
I've been looking forward to this one! Love Em and her stinky slinky bonus weasels.
:)
@8:43 I don't like that she says a "hutch" is not adequate. An animal "Hutch" is just a term for an enclosure, it doesn't denote size. Commonly available hutches very in size between entirely inadequate to quite expansive. Some commercially available ones being too large to fit through most doorways.
If you're going to use a term like "Hutch" as "one of the worst things" to do, you need to either provide examples or reference a size. Instead she says that hutches are not good and then provides two examples of things that could also be called hutches and say that they are good.
I was under the impression hutch also refers to brand that sells enclosures.
Awww! Niffler has become quite the distinguished older gentleman ❤️
Ferrets are just cats that merged with slinkies
Clinkies?
Kirby was the largest ferret we have owned so far. He weighed close to 6 pounds! He bit the cage and broke a couple of bars!! He was an outstanding climber. (More like mountaineer) One time he got very sick and puked everything up he ate, did not poop so we took him to the vet. $5000 later the vet gave us the foam earplug that he ate they remove surgically from him. Darn good thing we knew about the Vet clinic in St Paul that specializes in exotic animals! Kirby lived 4 or 5 years after that...
It shouldn't be understated how STINKY ferrets can be. It can get quite bad.
em has such a stinkin rad accent I'm glad she was on the show!! shout-out to em!!
this is the collab i didnt know i needed. Love Em and her ferrets so much!!
yay! ive loved emzotics videos for a long time what a nice surprise collab! thank you!
I have two ferrets, and I’ve personally found them easier than most animals because they sleep most of the time. Also it’s so fun playing with them.
6:32 THIS IS HUGE AND IMPORTANT TO KNOW!!! You will very very very most likely have a ferret die of cancer than old age.
I grew up doing ferret rescuse and I've easily have had more than 40 ferrets...saddly, I can only think of maybe 6 off those dying of old age....at least 30 of them died of cancer...others from gland diseases and even diabetes.
Emzotic was the first pet RUclipsr I used to watch, way back when, awwww
Ferret nation cages are also the best option for housing chinchillas! Mine has been in several enclosures from different sources and the ferret nation has both lasted the longest and is the easiest to clean due to the double doors. I'd recommend tiling the floors with just like. Floor tiles you can get from home depot. Also screw lots of wooden shelves onto the bars for them to jump around and chew on!!
Niffler and Em!! what a great collab
Em and Clint together, jeeeeej 😍❤ Em is the reason I fell in love with ferrets :)
I miss my fuzz boy. Ferrets make absolutely fantastic pets, IMO. Just one of the best companions I've ever had.
I did not expect to see Emzotic on Clint's channel today! What a delightful surprise
Best collaboration ever !!!!!
Ferrets absolutely can be litter box trained. The thing is, they have to go often and can't always wait. So if you provide several small pans - corner ones are best, as they tend to back up to go - they will use them! I had my ferrets free-roaming in my house, but litter boxes throughout. (Your house MUST be ferret proofed, to do this, and keep in mind that they can fit in places you'd never expect. I had a girl who could literally squeeze under the bathroom door!) I scooped them, daily.
Emzotic collab! Yesss thank you 🥰 you both are AWESOME