The chorus is ... The steppe steppe, black polecat. Photo, description

The ferret, or the choir, is a representative of the class Mammals from the family of Cunyi. It is a typical predator. To this genus (Ferrets) zoologists include mink, and ermine, and weasels. Ferrets are smart, smart and cautious animals.

In case of necessary need, they are perfectly protected: these predators begin to behave aggressively, bite hard and, of course, use their foul-smelling liquid. This technique often knocks dogs off the trail. There were cases when ferrets attacked people, especially small children.

Where do ferrets live?

These predators inhabit all of Europe and Asia, live in mountains, forests, fields, plains. Quite often ferrets can be found near human habitation. Russian polecat is represented by two species: there is a steppe (light) and forest (black). We'll talk about them later.

Appearance

A chicken is a relatively small fur animal. The length of the male body can reach 50 centimeters, and the female - 40 centimeters. In this case, the tail is up to 20 centimeters. The famous fur of these animals has black-brown tones, on the sides it is painted in chestnut color. Above the small and black eyes, these animals have yellow-white spots, the same color has a muzzle.

What do ferrets eat?

As already mentioned above, the hore is a typical predator. He will never eat his own food of his own free will. These dodgers eat with great pleasure rats and mice, as well as poisonous vipers. Curiously, snake bites do not harm these animals in any way. To eat well and gloriously eat, the choir must hunt, exhibiting an extraordinary cunning, endurance and dexterity.

But not always the above qualities and skills work on "hurray." Sometimes hunting does not bear any fruit. Curiously, the animal does not particularly worry about this: the choir calmly eats snails, grasshoppers, steals tasty honey of wild bees, dives into reservoirs for fish. Only in exceptional cases, these creatures go to the fodder, eating berries and grass.

Thunderstorm of chicken coops!

The chorus (the photo of this predator is presented in the article) is the most real thunderstorm of hens and the whole bird economy! Do not lag behind him and ermine, and even weasel. It is not for nothing that legends have already been written about the raids of these animals on the countryside. In addition, these predators from the family of Kunya not only destroy the chicken coops, eating eggs, but also take with them in one night five, or even more chickens.

Lifestyle

In nature, an adult ferret prefers to lead a solitary lifestyle. These animals are difficult to see in the pack, as their mores and character will never allow them to get along together in one territory. Zoologists describe pugnacious ferrets as an interesting phenomenon of wildlife: two males, without dividing the territory between themselves, start attacking each other, bouncing, biting, squealing with pain, scratching and somersaulting (see photo below).

Pregnancy in trochees

Pregnancy in females occurs up to three times in one year. In one litter, usually up to 12 polecats are obtained. Cubs are born completely defenseless and blind. The female feeds them with milk for two weeks. At the end of this period, the young begin to eat vegetable feed, and then - the usual food.

How does the Russian forest ferret live?

The chorus is black, or forest, is a typical inhabitant of Eurasia. This animal was domesticated by a man in Russia. This form has its name - fretka, or albino horn. Speaking about the genetics of this animal, this species perfectly and freely crosses, giving different color variations.

Forest ferrets are widespread in the west of Europe, but even there their habitat is gradually reduced. A huge population of these animals is found in Great Britain, in most of Russia (with the exception of the Caucasus), in North Karelia and the Lower Volga region. Scientists involved in the study of these animals, believe that recently they could settle in the forests of Finland. In addition, the forest polecat inhabits the territories in north-west Africa.

The way of life of forest ferrets

These dodgers, like all their relatives, lead a sedentary and single way of life. They are attached to a certain habitat and try to live there as long as possible. For the fact that this type of horsemans prefer to settle in small forest areas and individual groves, they were nicknamed "fangs". In addition, the forest edge is a typical black ferret hunting place.

These predators as shelters most often use natural shelters: they live under windmills, laying firewood, rotting haystacks, stumps, etc. Often the black polecat can settle next door to a badger or a fox. In villages and collective farms these creatures live in barns, cellars, and sometimes under the roofs of local baths. They almost do not dig their own holes. A forest ferret floats beautifully and can compete in this even with the mink itself!

They seek their prey mainly in the evening. In the afternoon, it is very difficult to get them to leave their shelter. An exception can only be a strong feeling of hunger. The size of the predator does not allow him to catch the mouse-like rodents underground, so the black polecat has to wait for them or grab on the run!

A bit about steppe ferrets

Another representative of this family is the steppe grouse, or white ferret. Representatives of this species are the largest ferrets on our planet. From their relatives they are distinguished by a high, but rare fur cover. Because of this, a dense but light underfoot appears through their wool.

Steppe ferrets are widespread in the west of Yugoslavia and the Czech Republic, in the steppes, forest-steppes and semi-deserts of Russia (from Transbaikalia to the Middle Amur). You can meet them in Central and Central Asia up to the Far East. Zoologists say that over the last few decades the range of this species of horseradish expands to the west and slightly to the north. Steppe ferret tries to avoid forests and settlements.

What do steppe ferrets eat?

Like all cunyas, the steppe grouse is a typical predator. He hunts for hamsters, gophers, small rodents. With pleasure eats frogs, venomous snakes and birds. In the summer, steppe choruses can hunt invertebrates: beetles, dragonflies, worms, spiders. Those steppe creatures that live near water bodies, have been hooked to catch aquatic animals, for example, river voles.

Like all other ferrets, these creatures cause considerable damage to poultry. It is worth noting that this reputation often spoils the life of the animals themselves, because sometimes they are accused of what they did not commit. This is because steppe ferrets can be substituted by their own kind - weasels and martens. Outside settlements, these creatures are of great benefit, destroying rodents.

A chorus and a man

The friendship of man and ferret is not a invented legend, but the real truth. Taken from the hole still young animals are fairly easy to tame. This was also used by some hunters who invented their practical use in hunting: they use them in pursuit of rabbits instead of dogs.

Nevertheless, the choir, whose photo is repeatedly present in our article, is a predator, and therefore a person in communication with him needs to be extremely cautious and accurate. It must be remembered that violent disposition will never leave these animals. The average life expectancy of these creatures in nature is 3-4 years, at home - up to 7 years.