15 Things You Need To Know About Pet Weasels

Weasels look like the perfect pocket-sized pet. They are tiny, lightning fast, and impossibly cute. But true weasels (especially the least weasel) are wild animals, not domesticated companions. They are illegal to keep as pets in most U.S. states, and even where it is technically allowed, their needs are nearly impossible to meet in a home setting.

The viral fame of Ozzy the least weasel, whose YouTube videos pulled in over 31 million views, made a lot of people curious about owning one. Ozzy was a rescued orphan raised by a dedicated handler who has repeatedly stressed that wild weasels should not be kept as pets. They bite hard, spray musk when startled, and require a constant supply of live or fresh prey.

The realistic option for most people is a ferret. Ferrets are the domesticated branch of the weasel family. They share that long noodle body, short legs, and playful personality, but they have been bred for thousands of years to live alongside humans.

Here are 15 things you should know about weasels, ferrets, and what it actually takes to keep one in your home.

Fact 1: Weasels and ferrets both hail from the Mustelidae family.

There are approximately 17 species of wild weasels, of which the long-tailed weasel and the least weasel (aka Ozzy) are the most commonly known and recognized.

Weasels live in North and South America, Asia, and Europe but are notably absent in Africa and Oceania.

Fact 2: The weasel is the smallest carnivorous mammal found in the world.

The least weasel is the smallest member of the weasel family, often weighing in at 4.5 ounces or less and rarely growing past six inches in length.

This means that not only is the weasel the smallest carnivorous family of mammals on Earth, but the least weasel specifically is the smallest carnivorous mammal on Earth.

Fact 3: A least weasel like Ozzy can take out prey ten times his size.

Oh, yes. Weasels may look tiny and cute, but they are quite simply ferocious. Size is no object to a hungry weasel and is no reason to hold back when the prey looks delicious.

Rabbits, ducks, rodents, and other small mammals are common weasel targets, even though, on average, each is ten times the size of the predator.

Weasels are so ferocious that even when they've just eaten and are weighed down with food, their killing skills do not diminish. They simply hunt nonstop!

Fact 4: Weasels are not happy campers when they are hungry.

A weasel's small size means he can't hold much prey at one time. This means a weasel has to eat frequently and up to 60 percent of his body weight daily to stay strong and healthy.

This also means weasels are hungry a LOT. The good news is that when a weasel corners its prey, it gets very happy. It even does a war dance (we're not kidding about this one - see for yourself!).

Fact 5: One of the weasel's cousins is the stinkiest mammal on Earth.

If you thought being a pint-sized, ferocious killing machine was cool, check this out: weasels are cousins of the skunk. This means that weasels are pint-sized, ferocious, and very stinky killing machines.

Like their black and white cousins, weasels can and will deploy targeted stink bombs when they feel cornered (regardless of whether they are!).

Fact 6: Certain species of weasels and their ferret cousins are endangered.

Among the best-known endangered members of their species include the black-footed ferret and the long-tailed Florida weasel.

The good news is that wildlife groups are working hard to re-establish and replenish endangered wild ferrets and weasels, and so far, they are having some good luck. If you're curious about whether you can buy a pet weasel, we cover the legality, breeders, and better alternatives.

Fact 7: Weasels like to store their leftovers for later.

They may not have styrofoam or plastic take-out containers, but weasels do NOT like to be hungry. So, if the killing is good, it will continue even once the weasel is stuffed. This can result in suspicious behaviors like hoarding, at least when they're out in the wild.

While the typical food cache may contain up to 50 dispatched prey carcasses for "later," one Greenland weasel cached 150 lemmings. That is a lot of lemmings!

Fact 8: Weasels with white winter coats glow lavender under ultraviolet light.

This is regarded as an urban myth in some circles, but it is quite factual! According to the Minnesota State Department of Natural Resources, the pelage (pelt) of the least weasel will begin to glow a lavender shade when the weasel is exposed to ultraviolet light.

Sadly, a search to discover why this occurs yielded no further fascinating facts, save that for making it easier for scientists to tell least weasels apart from their relatives.

Fact 9: No one is quite sure why the weasel goes "pop" in the song by the same name.

The song "Pop Goes the Weasel" was penned in London during the Victorian era, likely as part of the soundtrack for a music hall performance.

The working theory to date is that the weasel in the song is not the mammal but rather the spoked wheel used by textile workers to measure out thread. The wheel would emit a "pop" sound when the correct length was reached.

The "pop" sound had a helpful side effect of keeping bored, exhausted workers from nodding off on the job, thus incurring the ire of their supervisors.

Fact 10: Domestic weasels (ferrets) are approximately 8 million strong in the United States alone.

As Ozzy's videos highlight, a domesticated weasel makes for an entertaining and very cute sidekick. Perhaps this is behind the explosion of the domestic pet weasel - an estimated 8 million ferrets live in 4 million households today.

Not bad for a pet that pretty much didn't exist just a few short decades ago!

Fact 11: A pet weasel can sleep up to 20 hours daily.

It must be nice, right? Members of the weasel family are crepuscular, meaning they get active at dusk and dawn when conditions are very good for hunting prey.

Otherwise, their main hobby is sleeping unless you want to play with them. If so, you can expect your weasel pet to be eager to join you.

Fact 12: Pet weasels are not a good fit in every household.

Even the domesticated ferret is still a carnivorous predator, so their presence may put other family pets at risk. Birds, rodents, kittens, rabbits, puppies, and other household pets up to 10 times a weasel's size may be considered prey, even if the weasel is not hungry.

And since pet weasels are small and very low to the ground, they can be easily stepped on or rolled over by babies and young children. This may cause a weasel to bite in self-defense.

Fact 13: A pet weasel poses no special risks.

Some types of pets, such as reptiles, carry bacteria or diseases, making them a poor pet choice for pregnant women or families with small children whose immune systems are less robust.

But ferrets are neither more nor less safe than the family dog or cat in terms of being disease carriers. It is just important to proceed with caution to make sure the new weasel will fit in well with the rest of the existing family.

Fact 14: Pet weasels may do better with another weasel for the company.

Weasels in the wild are mostly solitary mammals. But ferrets in captivity are highly social, and they thrive in groups.

This doesn't mean you need to get two weasels, especially if you plan to be home often during the hours your weasel will be awake and wanting to play. But it can be very helpful to have two weasels when you cannot be a companion so your weasel won't be alone.

Fact 15: Pet weasels love to be where you are doing whatever you are doing.

Are Weasels Legal to Keep as Pets?

Weasels vs. Ferrets: Which Makes a Better Pet?

People use "weasel" and "ferret" interchangeably, but they are very different animals when it comes to living in your house. Wild weasels have not been domesticated. They are solitary, territorial, and wired to hunt constantly. A least weasel needs to eat roughly 60 percent of its body weight every single day, and that diet consists almost entirely of live prey.

Ferrets were domesticated over 2,000 years ago, originally for hunting rabbits. Centuries of breeding have made them calmer, more social, and far more tolerant of handling. A ferret will happily eat commercial ferret food, sleep in a hammock, and come running when you shake a treat bag.

Size is another major difference. A least weasel weighs about 4.5 ounces and fits in your palm. An adult ferret weighs between 1 and 5 pounds, making them much sturdier and easier to handle safely. Ferrets are also more predictable. They still nip during play, but they can be trained out of hard biting with consistent correction.

The bottom line is simple. If you want a weasel-shaped pet that will actually thrive in your home, a ferret is the answer. Wild weasels belong in the wild, and trying to keep one will end badly for both of you.

This is the first question you need to answer before anything else. In the United States, keeping a true weasel (not a ferret) as a pet is illegal in most states. They are classified as wildlife, and you would need special permits that are rarely granted to private citizens.

Ferrets, on the other hand, are legal in most of the country. The two big exceptions are California and Hawaii, where ferrets are banned outright. New York City also had a long-standing ban, though enforcement has softened in recent years. Washington, D.C. legalized ferrets in 2016.

Other states have specific rules. Some require a permit, some require proof of a rabies vaccination, and a few have no restrictions at all. Before you bring a ferret home, check your state and local laws. Many cities and counties have their own ordinances on top of state regulations.

Even in places where ferrets are legal, some landlords and homeowner associations ban them. Always confirm with your landlord or HOA before adopting.

Pet weasels are incredibly observant, active, and intelligent. When they're not sleeping, the average pet weasel wants to do whatever they see you doing.

This can be great fun even when doing boring things like sweeping the floor. Just add a weasel, and sweeping won't be boring anymore!

Final Thoughts

In summary, having a weasel for a pet (a ferret) is not the right choice for everyone. But for many working adults today, a weasel is about the most perfect pet you could ever find.

You weasel will sleep all day while you're at work. When you get home, exhausted from the day, and ready to have fun, your pet weasel will just wake up and be eager to eat, socialize, play, and explore.

You won't ever have to worry about your weasel getting anxious because you are gone since those hours will be productively used for napping.

Suppose you are currently renting a home or apartment. In that case, most landlords are perfectly happy to have a tenant with a weasel that stays in a cage during the day (this is also safer for your pet, just in case they get into any area of the house they can't easily get out of!).

Finally, when you have a pet weasel, you can make your pet a Facebook page and post cute videos on YouTube to entertain other weasel lovers.
This can help your social life and give you and your precious pet weasel your fun 15 minutes of fame.

After a few days with your new weasel, you may soon forget what life was like before your cute furry sidekick came home to stay! Check out our amazing rescue shirts to show your love for these cute animals.

FAQ

Is it okay to have just one weasel?

Yes, as long as you are giving him or her enough stimulation.

What should I feed my pet weasel?

Since they are strictly carnivorous, food should be limited to a high-protein diet. There are certain feeds available that are designed specifically for these pets.

Is it legal to get a pet weasel?

Certain endangered species of weasels are illegal to be kept as pets.