| Endangered Species: Black-footed ferret |
A Christiansburg Elementary Project
Submitted by Chris from Christiansburg Elementary School
Christiansburg, VA, U.S.A.
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| Black-footed ferret
Photo by Larry Shanks, USFWS |
Why Study This Topic?
I wanted to study the Black-footed ferret , because
it is a natural predator of the prairie. Its regular diet is the prairie
dog. After eating its prey, often it will steal its home.
The Black-footed ferret has a dark mask across
its face, much like a raccoon. Its body is a light brown color, with only
a few white marks across its chest. This color is slightly lighter than
its head around its mask. The ferret gets its name from its dark feet.
The Black-footed ferret's biggest threat is man.Since
humans started moving toward the prairie for more land, the number of prairie
dog colonies has decreased by 98%, because humans kill the ferrets inside.
What Was Already Known
Before my search, I knew hardly anything about the
Black-footed ferret. I learned a lot in my searches and studies. Before
researching this ferret, I knew the it lived in prairies. I also knew it
lived in the prairies in North America. Of course, I knew it had black
feet, because of its name, the black footed ferret. I thought it might
be a brownish color to blend in with the prairie floor, which it is. Once
I saw the animal, I knew it had to be related to the weasel family because
of its body structure and pionted snout.
Search for Information
When I saw the Black-footed ferret my first thought
was that I couldn't find any infomation about it. Sure enough, I couldn't
even find the name ferret in books. Finally, when I got to the school website,
there was a whole story written on the ferret. When everyone else went
on and found bigger and better things, I stayed and recorded all the facts
I needed.
At the public library, there is a computerized
card catalog. It took me a while to figure this out. I also had to get
my library card renewed, so it was late before I checked out my books.
Description of Plant or Animal
The Black-footed ferret has a slender body, like a
weasel. In fact, it is part of the weasel family called mustelids.
In 1979, the Black-footed ferret was thought to
be extinct, until a group was found in Wyoming.
Usually the adult Black footed ferret is 18 -
20 inches long, including its 5 - 6 inch tail. It is much smaller when
its a juvenile.
The attack stance for this ferret is sitting in
weeds or a burrow with only its head sticking out. If you see this happening,
this ferret is getting ready to kill something, maybe twice its size or
bigger. With its fast snapping jaws, it can take down almost any animal.
Usually, the ferret will eat rabbits, gophers, other small animals, and
sometimes even an elk. Despite all these foods filled with protein, its
favorite snack is the prairie dog. This is also the easiest to catch for
the ferret because it lives on prairie dog colonies. For shelter these
animals even use the burrows of the prairie dog.
Habitat Requirements
Black-footed ferrets are thought to be the most endangered
animals in North America and maybe the world. The leading cause of their
endangerment is man. Man alone kills five or more each day, and it people
aren't killing this ferret, they are destroying its favorite source of
food, the prairie dog. If people keep up this slaughter, these unique creatures
could be gone within a month. Now, there are only a few hundred left in
the wild.
Adaptations
The Black-footed ferret uses several adaptations,
including its camoflouged color, its speed, and its snapping jaw. Its color
helps it blend with the prairie. Its speed helps it escape from its enemies,
and its snapping jaw helps it kill prey twice its size.
The ferret has many other animals to prey on,
but not many predators. Its predators include the coyote, some kinds of
cats, and its most despised enemies, the wolf and hawk. There always has
to be a way for this ferret to escape. Its most potent defense is its scent
gland under its tail. It also helps, if it is fast thinking enough, to
use its claws and fast snapping jaws. If worst comes to worst, it can always
use its super camoflouge.
Reasons for Endangerment
Black-footed ferrets are thought to be the most endangered
animals in North America and maybe the world. The leading cause of their
endangerment is man. Man alone kills five or more each day. If people keep
up this slaughter. these unique creatures could be gone within a month.
There are only a few hundred left in the wild.
Restoration Actions
The only thing being done for these animals is that
scientists are breeding them in captivity. They are also just hoping nature
will take its course. I am hoping by writing this report, other will find
out how endangered the Black-footed ferret is and take steps to help it.
What Was Learned
I learned a lot about the Black-footed ferret in my
studies. For one thing, I definately found out there is a creature called
the Black footed ferret. I didn't even know there was an animal called
the Black-footed ferret before my studies. I also learned just how powerful
camoflouge can be. In some of my resourses, it took me a while to see the
ferret.
I also learned that size doesn't matter in the
wild. For example, a ferret which is fifteen inches long can take down
an animal thirty inches tall.
Conclusions From Research
People have to be aware that they are dealing with
the most endangered species in North America. It is the rearest animal
ever found on the prairies of America. The ferrets lost so much of their
habitat through daily destruction that scientists are worried this species
will soon become extinct.
I have confidence people will be able to save these unique
and magestic creatures from extinction. Until I researched this ferret,
the only experience I have had with a ferret was when I was at my friend
Jeremy's house and found a small ferret in a cage in his basement, but
that was a tame ferret. This report gave me an opportunity to learn a lot
about an animal that needs human understanding and help to survive in the
wild.
Bibliography
"http://www.bev.net/ces/TechnoZoo/prairie.html" Black-footed
ferret
Casey, Denise (1985). Black-footed Ferret,
Dodd, Mead, and Company.
Johnson, Sylvia A. (1997). Ferrets, Carolrhoda
Books, Inc. Minneapolis, Minnesota, pages 40-46.
Click
here for more information on the Black-footed ferret!
Return to Mammals page.
If you would like to add to these Endangered Species
pages then email your contributions to Christiansburg
Elementary
© copyright 1997
Christiansburg Elementary |
Last updated on March 9, 1998
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