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What the sources say

FerretMustela furo

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Ferret profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 46 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

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Source
01

Marks & Shaffery 1996

Marks & Shaffery (1996). A Preliminary Study of Sleep in the Ferret, Mustela putorius furo: A Carnivore With an Extremely High Proportion of REM Sleep.

The page saysA domesticated weasel relative that spends over 60% of its time asleep in the lab.
The source saysUnder laboratory conditions, ferrets spend over 60% of the time in sleepNote: tagline
The page saysSleeps over 60% of the time in the lab, with an unusually large share of it in REM sleep
The source saysUnder laboratory conditions, ferrets spend over 60% of the time in sleep and 40.28% +/- 0.93% of total sleep time in REM sleep.Note: stats.superpower
The page saysIn lab recordings of two adult males, ferrets spent over 60% of their time asleep.
The source saysSleep and wakefulness were studied polygraphically in two adult male ferrets between the ages of 3 months and 2.5 years. Nine 24-hour recordings were obtained on different light/dark schedules, and one animal was also monitored for 3 days following administration of the serotonin synthesis inhibitor, parachlorophenylalanine. Stage scoring was accomplished utilizing criteria similar to those used in the cat. Certain modifications to the criteria were made to accommodate apparent differences in electrographic indicators of state. Mean daily percentages [+/- standard error of the mean (SEM)] for the major stages were: slow-wave sleep, 36.0 +/- 1.33; rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, 24.4 +/- 0.94; and wake, 39.4 +/- 1.17. Under laboratory conditions, ferrets spend over 60% of the time in sleepNote: two males; 60% is the second sentence of the same abstract
The page saysIn those males, REM took up 40.28% of total sleep time.
The source says40.28% +/- 0.93% of total sleep time in REM sleep
The page saysThe high REM share comes from a high number of REM episodes rather than long REM periods.
The source saysThe high amount of REM sleep is achieved by having a high number of REM sleep episodes rather than long REM periods.
The page saysIts REM sleep comes as a high number of short episodes rather than long periods
The source saysa high number of REM sleep episodes rather than long REM periodsNote: vibe.reason

Source
02

Jha, Coleman & Frank 2006

Jha, Coleman & Frank (2006). Sleep and sleep regulation in the ferret (Mustela putorius furo). Behavioural Brain Research.

The page saysSleeps over 60% of the time in the lab, with an unusually large share of it in REM sleep
The source saysthe amount of REM sleep in the ferret was considerably higher (24.01+/-1.61% of total recording time) than typically reported in placental mammalsNote: stats.superpower: 'unusually large share'
The page saysA second study measured sleep in eight adult ferrets.
The source saysTwenty-four hour S-W baseline data were collected in eight adult ferrets.
The page saysIn that study, REM sleep filled 24.01% of total recording time, considerably higher than typically reported in placental mammals.
The source saysthe amount of REM sleep in the ferret was considerably higher (24.01+/-1.61% of total recording time) than typically reported in placental mammals
The page saysThe authors suggest REM sleep may have been present in greater amounts in early stages of mammalian evolution.
The source sayssuggests that REM sleep may have been present in greater amounts in early stages of mammalian evolution

Source
03

Grinblate & Ilgaza 2019

Grinblate & Ilgaza (2019). Biology, Reproductive System Particularities and Hyperadrenocorticism in Domestic Ferret (Mustela Putorius Furo). Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research.

The page saysDomestic; kept as a pet in homes around the world
The source saysDomestic ferrets are common pets all over the globe.Note: stats.habitat
The page saysMeat; a small carnivore
The source saysDomestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are small carnivoresNote: stats.diet
The page saysNot Evaluated
The source saysDomestic ferrets are common pets all over the globe.Note: stats.conservationStatus. A domestic animal, so no Red List category applies. The wild ancestor, the European polecat, has its own assessment (Least Concern, taxon 41658, checked via GBIF), which is not the ferret's; not cited. Precedent goat, domestic-cat.
The page saysFerrets are small carnivores in the weasel family.
The source sayssmall carnivores from genus Mustelidae, including weasels, stoats, minks, otters
The page saysAn intact male, called a hob, weighs 1 to 2 kg.
The source saysWeight of intact male (hob) 1 – 2 kgNote: hob and jill figures are domestic-ferret values, not polecat
The page saysAn intact female, called a jill, weighs 0.5 to 1.5 kg.
The source saysof intact female (jill) 0,5 – 1,5 kg.Note: source uses decimal commas: 0,5 = 0.5, 1,5 = 1.5
The page saysa review gives 8 to 10 years, and up to 15
The source saysLifespan 8 – 10 years (up to 15).
The page saysFerrets are common pets all over the globe.
The source saysDomestic ferrets are common pets all over the globe.
The page saysThe same review says they were used as rat and rabbit hunters about 2000 years ago.
The source saysAbout 2000 years ago ferrets were used as universal rat and rabbit hunters.
The page saysThey are also kept as laboratory animals and for fur.
The source saysPresent day ferrets are common pets and also are used as laboratory animals and for pelage production.
The page saysKits are blind at birth and weigh 6 to 12 g.
The source sayskits (1 – 18) which are blind and weigh 6-12 g at birth
The page saysLitter size averages 8 kits, from 1 to 18.
The source saysLitter size average 8 kits (1 – 18)
The page saysMating activity depends on day length, and gonadal activity appears when the day exceeds 12 hours.
The source saysMating activity in ferrets depends on photophase, meaning when length of day exceeds 12 hours, gonadal activity appears.
The page saysFemales can be brought out of heat by mating.
The source saysthey can be brought out of heat by coital stimulus
The page saysFerrets become sexually active in the first spring after their birth, usually around 9 months of age.
The source saysFemale and male ferrets become sexually active in the first spring after their birth. Usually it is around 9 months of age.
The page saysAnother problem is adrenal disease, called hyperadrenocorticism, meaning excessive production of sex steroids.
The source sayshyperadrenocorticism (excessive production of sex steroids) appears in neutered ferrets
The page saysA review says it is unique to ferrets.
The source saysHyperadrenocorticism (adrenocortical disease or adrenal disease) is considered as one of the most common diseases in ferrets and is unique to this species
The page saysIt calls it one of the most common endocrine (hormone) system diseases in neutered ferrets.
The source saysGonadectomy is directly linked to hyperadrenocorticism, which is one of the most common endocrine system diseases in neutered ferrets.
The page saystags: predator
The source saysAbout 2000 years ago ferrets were used as universal rat and rabbit hunters.

Source
04

Poole 1972

Poole (1972). Some behavioural differences between the European polecat, Mustela putorius, the ferret, M. furo, and their hybrids. Journal of Zoology.

The page saysOne study compared ferrets with their wild counterpart, the European polecat, and with hybrids of the two.
The source saysThe aim of this work was to identify behavioural differences between the domesticated ferret Mustela furo and its wild counterpart the European polecat M. putoriusNote: hybrids named in the same abstract
The page saysFerrets do not develop fear of man.
The source saysthey do not develop fear of man
The page saysHybrids raised with their mother through a critical window of 7.5 to 8.5 weeks of age do.
The source saysThe F 1 hybrids resembled M. putorius in that they develop a fear of man if left with their mother during a critical period between 7½ and 8½ weeks of age.Note: 7½ and 8½ = 7.5 and 8.5

Source
05

Piazza et al. 2014

Piazza et al. (2014). Prevalence of deafness and association with coat variations in client-owned ferrets. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The page saysIn a study of 152 healthy European pet ferrets, 29% had congenital deafness in one or both ears.
The source saysOverall, 44 of the 152 (29%) ferrets were affected by CSD; 10 (7%) were unilaterally deaf, and 34 (22%) were bilaterally deaf.Note: CSD defined in the abstract as congenital sensorineural deafness; 152 healthy European pet ferrets
The page saysIt was strictly associated with white coat markings and premature graying.
The source saysstrictly associated with coat color patterns, specifically white markings and premature graying
The page saysAll panda, American panda and blaze ferrets in the study were deaf.
The source saysAll panda, American panda, and blaze ferrets were deaf.

Source
06

Matsuoka, Lamirande & Subbarao 2009

Matsuoka, Lamirande & Subbarao (2009). The Ferret Model for Influenza. Current Protocols in Microbiology.

The page saysThey are exquisitely susceptible to infection with human influenza viruses and show some of the same symptoms people do.
The source saysFerrets are exquisitely susceptible to infection with human influenza viruses
The page saysThey are exquisitely susceptible to infection with human influenza viruses and show some of the same symptoms people do.
The source saysdevelop some of the symptoms of influenza that are seen in humans
The page saysThat is why researchers use them as an animal model for influenza, and many see them as the ideal small one.
The source saysFerrets are used as an animal model for the study of influenza because they are susceptible to human influenza viruses
The page saysThat is why researchers use them as an animal model for influenza, and many see them as the ideal small one.
The source saysare widely believed to be the ideal small animal model for influenza research

Source
07

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Mustela putorius furo (domestic ferret). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysAnimal Diversity Web puts males at 0.9 to 2.7 kg, with neutered males often lighter.
The source saysMale domestic ferrets can weigh from 0.9 to 2.7 kg, neutered males often weigh less than unaltered males.
The page saysThe body is long and slender: females are typically 33 to 35.5 cm long and males 38 to 40.6 cm, plus a tail of 7.6 to 10 cm.
The source saysDomestic ferrets have a long and slender body. Females are typically 33 to 35.5 cm long and males are 38 to 40.6 cm long. Average tail length is 7.6 to 10 cm.
The page saysAs pets they can live 6 to 10 years
The source saysAs pets, they can live from 6-10 years.
The page saystags: predator
The source saysDomestic ferrets will also hunt rabbits and other small game when their owners use them for ferreting.Note: task #1110: kept on the definition (active carnivorous hunter); a carnivore that hunts rabbits when worked

Source
08

Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Pet Talk: Ferret Distemper. Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

The page saysCanine distemper is a virus that affects many pets.
The source saysExotic mammals, like ferrets, are susceptible to diseases that affect many domestic pets, including the canine distemper virus.
The page saysIt is fatal for virtually all ferrets that meet it.
The source saysthe disease proves fatal for virtually all of the ferrets that come into contact with the virus
The page saysVaccination protects them.
The source saysproper vaccination protects ferrets from infection

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.