Ferrets are cute, little, and adorable pets, having fluffy fur all over their bodies. They look so delicate as they are lightweight, adults only weigh 2 kg. Comparing their weight, their flexibility is amazing. But why are ferrets so flexible?
Ferret’s body structure is the key factor behind their flexible, fast, and active nature. Ferrets have long and slender bodies and are able to slip into and out of tight places. Actually, their flexible spine and thin bones make them contort to sorts of positions and shapes.
Why Are Ferrets So Flexible?
Ferrets are known as speedy mammals. Their strength and energetic functionality are truly impressive. Ferrets are not your average pets. Unlike other animals, ferrets have thin bones that let them bend like rubber.
The backbone of ferrets is super flexible. This makes ferrets like little contortionists. When they travel in small spaces like pipes, their backbones spread out, making them seem longer than they really are.
Their spines allow them to spread 30% longer than their normal sizes. It works on their half-back body and legs. If a ferret doing a U-turn in a pipe, their flexible spine makes it possible.
Ferret’s tails are quite big. This combo helps them be even more flexible. Their backbone can twist, and their tails play a big part in helping them move around tight spots. Their spine is not like ours. It’s super movable, making them bend and twist in ways we can only dream of.
How Do Ferrets Bend So Much?
When you observe ferrets in action, it doesn’t take long to notice that there’s something extraordinary about their ability to navigate tunnels, slink along the floor, and even contort their bodies into a full circle. Indeed, ferrets are among the most flexible creatures on our planet, leaving many to ponder the secret behind their impressive bendiness.
Ferrets can twist and turn in such unique ways because of their skeletal system, particularly their spine. Unlike animals with more rigid and immobile vertebrae, ferrets have an incredibly flexible spinal column. Because ferrets have robust back muscles, they are able to bend and twist their spines effortlessly.
The story of ferret flexibility is rooted in their evolutionary journey and survival strategies. In the wild, ferrets are natural-born hunters, spending a significant portion of their time chasing small prey like rodents and frogs. So, over time, their flexible spine and strong back muscles evolved to help them in their hunting adventures.
Ferrets have a unique ribcage that contributes to their flexibility. Unlike other creatures, ferrets have collapsible ribs that can be flattened out. This feature allows them to squeeze through small openings, whether it’s under doors in your home or through tight spaces in the wild.
Why are Ferrets So Stretchy?
Besides the ferret’s flexibility, they can stretch their body for so long. Well, the secret lies in their unique skeleton and spine.
If you notice their process of going underground for hunting, they can stretch their body remarkably. In stretchy form, their body length increases by up to 30%. It’s like a built-in superpower for squeezing into tight spots.
Normally, when ferrets walk around, their backs have a slight arch. But, when they need to get into a snug space, like a burrow or a tunnel in your home, their spine straightens out, making them look even longer.
Ferret’s back legs are longer than their front legs. It is helpful when they’re on a mission to climb into a burrow or just having some tunnel fun in your home. They do a little magic trick by lowering their back legs and tucking in their bottom to fit into those spaces.
Do ferrets have a spine?
First off, ferrets have a really cool skeleton made up of about 200 bones. These bones are thin and not heavy, and they help ferrets be quick and move around easily. You will be glad to know that ferrets do have a spine. It’s made up of lots of small bones that stick together as they grow.
Now, the ferret’s skeleton has three main parts: the head and spine, the legs and shoulders, and some other bits around their back legs. Ferrets have a certain kind of head that’s longer and flatter, making it easy for them to slip through small spaces.
But the spine is responsible for their flexibility. They have around 46 of these bones, making their spine super bendy. But here’s the catch – if they hurt their spine, it’s a big deal because they need it a lot to move around.
This extra-long and flexible spine is the secret fact behind their bendiness. It allows them to bend and twist while running around, making them super agile.
Now, ferrets are not just about their spine. Their arms and legs are short and light, making them light on their feet. They also have special claws for digging.
Their knees are similar to ours, and their whole skeletal system works together like a team to let them bend and twist almost like magic. So it’s not just their spine but their whole lightweight body working together to make them the bendiest and coolest creatures around.
Do Ferrets have Problems with their Spines?
So, we know that ferrets have this super-flexible spine that lets them twist and turn like acrobats. But, it comes with both good and bad sides, especially when it comes to their health.
However, ferrets rarely have issues like broken spines or hurt disks. It’s kind of like their bodies are built for flexibility, and they handle it pretty well.
There’s something called a chordoma, which is like a tumor, and it is a common disorder on a ferret’s spine. These tumors grow slowly but they are cancerous, and that’s not something anyone wants to hear.
These pesky tumors can show up anywhere on a ferret’s spine. If it shows at the tail, a vet can amputate it and save the ferret’s life. But, if these tumors grow in the center of the spine, it becomes a much tougher challenge. Sadly, in many cases, it can lead to the ferret’s death.
Well, it turns out because of some unsuitable breeding practices. A lot of ferrets in the United States are bred in places called ferret mills. These places are more about making money than making sure the ferrets are healthy and happy.
Can Ferret Break Bones?
It might come as a surprise, but yes, ferrets can break their bones. The real issue with ferrets is their fearlessness, which can sometimes lead to unfortunate accidents. Ferrets love to climb, burrow, dig, jump, and sprint around without much thought for their own safety.
This adventurous nature can sometimes result in injuries. One of the most serious concerns is the risk of breaking their spine, especially when they take a tumble from a significant height. Back injuries in ferrets are no joke and often have dire consequences, sometimes leading to fatal outcomes.
The ferret’s back is a particularly delicate part of their bodies. Unfortunately, if it does get injured, it’s more challenging to heal the body. But it’s not just the spine that’s vulnerable; other bones in their bodies can also break, although the healing process for these is usually faster and more straightforward compared to the spine.
Conclusion
Ferrets are playful and fearless. The flexibility of their body makes them so active. But they go into everything that sometimes they shouldn’t. So, it’s essential for their owners to take precautions and provide a safe environment to prevent injuries.
Making your home ferret-proof is the best way to avoid such accidents. Keep them in a room or cage where they can’t climb on high furniture. You may provide enough toys or low-profile climbing toys. It will engage your ferrets and make them happy.