Black-Footed Ferret by Francesca Accomazzo

Listing Date: December 23, 2013.
Listing Type: ENDANGERED. 

Description and Ecology of the Black-Footed Ferret 

"Defenders of Wildlife" Sharon Oosthoek

The black-footed ferret is fairly medium in size, weighing in at 1.4 to 2.5 pounds. The length of this species is typically 19 to 24 inches. As seen in the figure on the right, the upper body parts are yellowish or white in color, and the feet and tail tips of it are black. There is also a black mask like feature on their face. (fws.gov)

Where would you find a Black-Footed Ferret?

"The Prairie Ecologist"

These critters are normally found in prairie dog burrows (they do not dig their own!). Thus, they tend to live in areas with high prairie dog colonies. They occupy anywhere from 13 to 36 hectares depending on if they are male or female. Typically, you will come across this species throughout Great Plains, semi-arid grasslands (in North America), or mountain basins (fws.gov).




Geographic and Population Changes 

The populations of black-footed ferrets are declining due to the decrease in prairie dog numbers. The population of prairie dogs is declining because of changes to the habitat such as habitat destruction by converting native prairie areas to cropland for agriculture. These populations are also declining not just from geographic changes but also from poisoning and disease which we will discuss in further detail later. Thus, because the ferret is dependent on the prairie dog, the ferret population is suffering. (fws.gov)

Threats to the Black-Footed Ferret: Why list? 

www.ipsnews.net

As previously discussed, ferrets are affected by habitat destruction. The conversion of these native lands into areas for agriculture affect the habitat in which the prairie dogs and ferrets live. The prairie dogs lose their ability to burrow, which in turn takes away the home of ferrets as well. Secondly, the prairie dogs are being poisoned because they are competition with domestic livestock that is used to produce food (agriculture). Lastly, these species are affected by the exotic disease called sylvatic plague which dates back to the 1930s (Eskey and Hass 1940 from fws.gov). There is also a virus called the canine distemper virus that affects black-footed ferrets.


Recovery Plan of the black-footed ferret 
There are two primary objectives in recovering this species. The first is to improve management of prairie dogs as ferret populations are dependent on the prairie dogs. The second objective is to protect the species against sylvatic plague and other exotic disease. It is important to get help and cooperation with the "federal, state, local, tribal, and private parties" to recover this species as the plan includes creating ferret populations in their necessary habitats and monitoring the area so their are minimal threats, allowing the ferret's existence to persist (fws.gov).
Accomplishment of these two objectives are being done by various conservation and management actions. Management will locate and identify healthy habitats for these species to grow as well as gain cooperation from local populations that would affect the potential for this growth. Additionally, are steps to reduce exotic disease threats from affected ferrets or other species.

The End 

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