When western prairies of the United States were being settled many years ago, millions of prairie dog homes dotted the plains. Because these animals were considered pests, they were hunted and poisoned. This poisoning also meant the death of a smaller animal — the black-footed ferret. Not only was their main food supply, the prairie dog, mostly gone, but the sylvatic plague also killed many. Now there are very few black-footed ferrets left in the wild, perhaps only around 300. They are considered the most endangered mammal in North America. This number is up from only around 18 of them in the 1980s. People have worked to increase their numbers by captive breeding programs, vaccinating them for the sylvatic plague, and protecting prairie dog habitats.
The black-footed ferret is closely related to the weasel, as shown by its slim body, short legs, alert expression and sharp eyes. It is 18 to 24 inches long from nose to tip of tail, and it only weighs up to two and a half pounds.
The ferret is a fierce nighttime hunter, often attacking animals larger than itself. Prairie dogs are its main food, and they can weigh up to twice as much as a ferret. Although the ferret may get wounded while capturing a prairie dog, it is rare for it to lose the battle. When it is over, the ferret drags the prairie dog to its burrow for safety while eating. The ferret has good hearing and vision to aid in its nighttime hunting, but its excellent sense of smell is probably its biggest assistant.
Ferrets often use prairie dog burrows as nests. There, around three to four kits are born in May or June and are raised by the mother. When they are two months old, she moves them to a new burrow and begins to teach them to hunt. By three months old, the young ferrets are nearly full-size and able to live independently.
When God created the world and told Adam and Eve to take care of it, as we have in our lead verse, the animals had no fear of people. We read in Genesis 2 That God brought all the animals to Adam before creating Eve, to see what he would call them. People have failed in their responsibilities to the animals in many ways, just as with the ferret. Perhaps you have some responsibilities to take care of in your house, that your mom or dad have given to you. Are you doing all the jobs you are supposed to do, responsibly? How you handle your responsibilities is important to God!
Did You Know?
Only about 18 black-footed ferrets existed in the 1980s.
Messages of God’s Love 7/20/2025