Small Mammals
Ferrets | Rabbits | Raccoons | Ringtails |
Squirrels
Ferrets
Mustela putorius furo
Domesticated ferrets, like their cousins the black-footed ferrets,
are members of the weasel family. Being carnivores, wild individuals
depend on small game such as rodents and birds. Domesticated animals
often eat cat food or commercially available ferret foods. Domesticated
over 2000 years ago, ferrets were used for hunting and rodent control
and are now popular pets throughout the world.
California and Hawaii are the only states that prohibit having them
as pets. Some people are concerned that a domesticated animal will revert
to its wild instincts if put in the wild and compete with native species.
Studies show, however, that escaped ferrets usually succumb to dehydration,
exposure or starvation within only a few days. There are no confirmed
cases of feral ferrets surviving in the wild.
Pet ferrets are generally neutered. In male ferrets (hobs) their aggressive
behavior during the breeding season is reduced. Intact males also secrete
an unpleasant odor on their fur and mark their territory with a slimy,
foul smelling substance. Females (jills) must be spayed if they are not
used for breeding. Known as an “induced ovulator”, females
will stay in heat for months if not bred. This can result in severe anemia
and often leads to death.
Groups of ferrets are known as a “business of ferrets”
and youngsters are called “kits”. Nocturnal in habit, these
lanky critters are often found piled together in a heap–one body
hard to distinguish from the next.
Rabbits
Oryctolagus cuniculus
From the jackrabbit of the desert regions to the snowshoe rabbit of
the north, different species of rabbits and hares are found in nearly
every type of habitat in the world. Domesticated rabbits were developed
from the wild rabbits of Europe. There are over 50 different breeds of
domesticated rabbits and, depending on breed, their life expectancy is
from 5 - 10 years.
Hares and rabbits differ in that rabbits are born hairless with closed
eyes and hares have open eyes and fur. Rabbits require nests for their
helpless young (kits or bunnies) while hares give birth in the open.
Their young are ready to run within minutes. With a gestation period
of about a month, does (females; males are bucks) can have as many as
eight litters a year, bearing 3–8 young per litter. Rabbits reach
sexual maturity at 6 months of age–do the math, rabbits are prolific!
In the wild, rabbits are part of large social groups that live in underground
burrows called warrens. Individuals within a colony can warn others of
danger by thumping their hind legs and recognize one another through
smell. Hares live primarily solitary lives.
Mostly nocturnal, rabbits will come out at dusk and spend the night
searching for food. Their diet is usually plant based including grains,
leaves and even tree bark. Domesticated rabbits are most often given
commercially prepared pellets, vegetables, fruits and hay. Being members
of the rodent family, chewing is essential to wear down continuously
growing teeth.
 Isabella
DOB: January 2005
FCZS: 12/6/06
Sex: Female
Weight: 7.5 lbs.
Isabella was lucky to be rescued from an abusive situation and brought
to the zoo sanctuary for a safe and loving home. Nicknamed "Bella" (to
avoid confusion with fox Isabella), she immediately befriended resident
rabbit Pepper and joins him in the zoo’s outreach program. Both
furry ambassadors help share the zoo’s philosophy of "Teaching
responsible human behavior toward all animals."
Unfortunately, along with some confiscations due to abuse, there are
also over 50,000 rabbits voluntarily given up to shelters each year.
Far too often people buy rabbits as pets when they are cute little bundles
of fur, only to abandon them as they grow.
 Pepper
DOB: Unknown
FCZS: 8/15/03
Sex: Male
Weight: 8.22 lbs.
Beautiful bunny Pepper was found, turned in to animal control, and
eventually made his way to FCZS. With his sweet temperament and friendly
demeanor, he was undoubtedly someone’s pet. Shortly after his arrival
it was discovered Pepper suffered a serious eye infection, which resulted
in its removal. Despite enjoying carrots, which contain high amounts
of carotene (a nutrient important for proper eye function), rabbits do
not have especially keen sight. Pepper has no trouble maneuvering with
his limited eyesight and quickly hops over to get attention, and food,
when keepers arrive.
Raccoons
Procyon lotor
From the Algonkin word 'ah rah koon em" (meaning they rub,
scrub, scratch) comes this opportunistic creature with the familiar bandit’s
mask. Found from southern Canada to northern South America, raccoons
have adapted to live in a wide variety of habitats including urban areas.
Raccoons hunt at night, searching for small rodents, birds, fish, frogs,
eggs and insects. They often add nuts and wild fruits to their diet as
well. With incredibly dexterous hands, they are capable of getting into
even the smallest crevice and will eat nearly anything they find. Considered
omnivores, raccoons can depend mostly on plant products if that is the
only food available. Dousing, or washing food is a behavior seen in most
raccoons. It is still unclear exactly why they do this. Some researchers
believe it is an instinctual fishing or shellfish-hunting maneuver. Others
believe the water intensifies sensitivity to touch, making it easier
to clean food of unwanted debris.
Curiosity is another trait found in these little charmers. This can
bring them into homes where they can be very destructive. People living
near raccoons learn to keep windows and doors closed and locked up, and
garbage cans, pet food bowls, etc. out of reach.
In the wild raccoons generally avoid one another, coming together only
during mating season. (A group of raccoons is called a “nursery”.)
Females (sows) will have 1 – 7 cubs (also called kits). These little
ones will stay with her for a year. As they get older they become quite
independent, hunting and spending extended periods of time on their own.
Males (boars) do not participate in rearing the young.
Despite their shuffling gait, raccoons can move at speeds up to 15
miles per hour. They are excellent swimmers but prefer staying near shore,
as their fur is not waterproof.
 Emma
DOB: Spring 1995
FCZS: 3/29/96
Sex: Female
Weight: 13.9 lbs.
Emma arrived at Folsom after being rehabilitated at a
wildlife care facility. She had been hit by a car and sustained neurological
damage. Although there are other raccoons at the zoo sanctuary, Emma’s
somewhat unsteady nature precludes her living with these very active
girls. Instead she has resided with somewhat less active roommates over
the years, including a skunk, opossums, and her current roommate--ringtail
Chaos. She has been known to give up her food to these other animals
and get visibly upset when her current roommate, Chaos, leaves for any
length of time.
Scout
DOB: Spring 1998
FCZS: 10/2/98
Sex: Female
Weight: 19.4 lbs.
Scout was taken as an illegal pet and lives with her sibling Autumn.
She is the feistier of the two and can be identified by a small notch
on her ear (an old injury from an apparent scuffle).
Both raccoons have been successfully trained to respond to various
requests from their keepers. These curious, energetic and greedy animals
are good candidates for training, as they never tire of treats and are
eager to work to get them.
Raccoons are omnivores and get a diet of meat, vegetables, fruits,
greens and even nuts. At feeding time keepers have the option of putting
the raccoons in separate lock-up cages while cleaning the exhibit. If
the doors to their lock-ups are not secured, Scout easily uses her front
paws to lift the gate. She is quick to come out to see what new thing
might be in her home and if there is anything to eat or explore. (Autumn
is quick to get out too, only she uses the pulley cord to lift her cage
door.)
Ringtails
Bassariscus astutus
A relative of raccoons, ringtails are found in the western United States
and Mexico. They prefer rocky settings spending their days tucked away
in crevices or caves. They can also find nesting places in hollowed out
trees, logs or even buildings. Nocturnal habits bring these long tailed
hunters out at night where they feed on small animals, fruits and plants.
Also known as a Miner’s cat, ringtails were sometimes kept as
pets in miners’ cabins to help in rodent control. Though they range
in this area of California, they are very elusive and rarely seen.
In the wild, ringtails live solitary lives, except during mating season.
Females give birth to 2 to 4 young in late spring. These cubs are completely
helpless with both ears and eyes closed. They open 3 to 4 weeks after
birth.
Ringtails have similar marking as those of raccoons with dark bands
encircling their tails. They lack the dark mask associated with raccoons
however and walk on their toes instead of the soles of their feet, as
do raccoons.
 Chaos
DOB: 1995 or 1996
FCZS: 10/11/96
Sex: Male
Weight: 4.3 lbs.
Though ringtails live in this region of California, most zoo sanctuary
visitors have never seen one in the wild. Even within his miner’s
shack home, viewers often need help finding Chaos, who is usually tucked
away on one of the high shelves. (Chaos came to FCZS through the Department
of Fish and Game, confiscated as an illegal pet.)
Chaos has adapted well to numerous roommates in his years at the zoo.
In the wild, ringtails live solitary lives, except during mating season.
Chaos, however, seems to enjoy the company of current roommate Emma.
He has also shared space with a skunk and several opossums.
In 2006 keepers noticed a bulging and hazing of his left eye. Further
testing found age related corneal edema and the eye was removed. His
right eye has recently been showing similar symptoms but treatment seems
to be helping.
Squirrels
Eastern Gray Squirrel and Western Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis and Sciurus griseus
Western gray squirrels are common throughout the west coast, scurrying
around the treetops and offering hours of entertainment to those who
watch them. Eastern gray squirrels are found from the mid west, eastward
to the Atlantic states. Both species feed on various seeds, nuts, and
acorns as well as fruits, tender shoots, leaves, and fungi. Unlike their
cousins the ground squirrels and chipmunks, tree squirrels have no cheek
pouches in which to store and carry food. Food must be stored and hidden
for immediate as well as long-term consumption. Because they do not hibernate,
adequate stores of food are critical to make it through the winter. Squirrels
can be a mixed blessing in the forests. New trees may grow from a forgotten
cache, but in some regions squirrels are considered a pest, destroying
the bark off young trees.
Squirrels are active during the day and will build nests high in the
trees (a minimum of 20 feet off the ground) to avoid predators. Winter
quarters are generally in tree cavities.
Females, known as does, produce 2 to 7 pups in early spring. Sometimes
a second litter comes in late summer as well. The males (bucks) are
not involved in caring for the young, who will stay with their mothers
for 8 – 10 weeks. Squirrels live solitary lives, though there
may be many living in close proximity. (A group of squirrels in known
as a scurry or dray of squirrels.)
 Nessie
DOB: 8/05
FCZS: 2/27/06
Sex: Female
Weight: 1.8 lbs.
Nessie and her siblings were illegally smuggled into California from
Tennessee. Unfortunately, Nessie was the only survivor. She was later
confiscated and then raised by a volunteer from Gold Country Wildlife.
Groups of Eastern gray squirrels have been known to migrate long distances
and have become common in states west of the Mississippi River. In the
past, the river was the western boundary for the species. There are a
few colonies of Eastern gray squirrels in this area of California, but
they were brought by humans and are considered an invasive species.
Nessie is comfortable around her caretakers, but still has all of
her very sharp teeth and nails, and on occasion uses them on people.
She also likes to chew almost anything, which has necessitated the removal
of rope, fabric hammocks, plastic toys etc.—none of which is part
of a good squirrel diet. Nessie lives next to, but is kept separate
from the other squirrels to avoid possible injuries.
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