So, ferrets, or Mustela furo, as smart people publications call them, are tiny mammals in the vein of polecats, weasels and otters. Collectively, they are called mustelids, and, believe it or not, it also includes some very badass species like wolverines.

Ferrets are one of very few species among mustelids to be domesticated—it’s them and the tayra that are kept as pets, with some countries requiring dangerous wild animal licenses to be able to legally keep them.

The average lifespan of these tiny critters is about 8 years, but they can live up to 10.

Ferrets were originally domesticated to hunt rodents and—believe it or not—rabbits. That happened a couple of millennia ago as their bodies and flexibility are perfect to fit into tiny dens and burrows and stuff.

And this also turned out very well when between the 1860s and the 1950s, they were widely used in warehouses as ‘hygiene technicians’ of sorts to protect stored grain against rodents.

For those very interested in words, the name ferret comes from the late Latin word furo, which means thief. It’s a more appropriate name for trash pandas, but ferrets do get into their share of mischief as well.

Also, a female ferret is a jill, while a spayed one is a sprite, a male is a hob, and a neutered one is a gib, baby ferrets are kits, and a group of ferrets is a business. So, the more you know!

If you want more cuteness, you can always check out our Animals section, but before you scurry off, share your ferret-related stories or fun facts about these creatures in the comment section below!