What’s The Difference Between A Weasel Vs Ferret, Mongoose, Mink, Polecat..

Dr. Abdul Basit Javed (DVM, RVMP)

Ferrets are unique creatures, but due to their resemblance to many other animals such as weasels, minks, polecats, and mongooses, they are easily confused.

Ferrets, minks, polecats, weasels, and mongooses are all members of the Mustelid family, but their genus is different. Along with the genus, these animals differ in habitat, diet, behavior, temperament, and physical characteristics.

If you want to know more about ferrets and how they differ from other members of their family like weasels, minks, polecats, and mongooses, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about the differences between a ferret and a weasel, mongoose, mink, and polecat from our small animal veterinarian.

Weasel vs Ferret

The Mustelinae subfamily includes ferrets and weasels. Despite their similar appearances, these two animals are very different from one another. Weasels and ferrets are both small carnivorous mammals with long, slender bodies and pointed snots.

However, in terms of size, ferrets are typically larger than weasels. A fully grown ferret can be 8 to 20 inches long from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, whereas a weasel is 10 to 12 inches long.

Weasels thrive in woodlands, marshes, moors, grasslands, and urban areas, whereas ferrets prefer grasslands. The markings on their bodies are the most noticeable distinction when looking at a weasel vs ferret. Weasels have tan or light brown markings with a white underbelly, whereas ferrets have dark brown, black, or cream-colored markings on their bodies.

The time of day when weasels and ferrets are most active is also a significant difference. Weasels are diurnal creatures, which means they are most active during the day, hunt during the day, and sleep at night, whereas ferrets are the polar opposite.

Ferrets are nocturnal animals, sleeping during the day and active and hunting at night. Ferrets are sometimes crepuscular, which means they are most active at dusk and dawn.

Polecat Vs Ferret

Many people mistake ferrets and polecats for the same animal, but this is not the case. While they both belong to the Mustelinae subfamily, they are very different.

Polecats and ferrets both have similar appearances and dimensions when it comes to polecats vs ferrets.

Although both animals are nearly the same weight, adult ferrets can be slightly longer than most adult polecats. While polecats can grow to be about 1-1.5 feet long, an adult ferret can comfortably grow to be 2 feet long.

Polecats have a stronger and more muscular body structure than ferrets, which may be due to their wild status. Ferrets are typically more slender and delicate than polecats. Polecats have larger heads compared to ferrets.

Polecats are found in Europe as well as some parts of Africa, whereas ferrets are only found in parts of Europe. Wild ferrets prefer grassy and forested areas, whereas polecats prefer to live near water, such as marshes and river banks, which also influences their diet.

While both ferrets and polecats have dark fur in the summer, a ferret’s fur has lighter shades than a polecat’s dark fur. Polecat ears are large and lighter in the shade, whereas ferret ears are compact and tiny. Although both animals have face masks, the polecat’s mask is more prominent and darker than the ferret’s.

A ferret’s behavior differs greatly from that of a polecat. Polecats are solitary animals that prefer to be alone and will only engage in social activities during mating season. Domesticated ferrets, in particular, are very social animals who enjoy the company of humans as well as other ferrets. Polecats eat reptiles, fish, small rodents, and birds, whereas wild ferrets eat mice, rabbits, and other small animals.

Mink Vs Ferret

Minks and ferrets may look similar, but they are very different animals. Just like a weasel vs ferret, Minks and ferrets are both members of the Mustelid family. While all ferrets are members of the Mustela genus, minks can be members of either the Neogale or Mustela genus. For example, the European mink (Mustela lutreola) is a member of the Mustela genus, whereas the American Mink is a member of the Neogale genus.

The body size, conformation, and dimensions are similar for both minks and ferrets, but the tail of a mink is usually longer than the tail of a ferret. A mink’s tail can grow to be 5-10 inches long, while a ferret’s tail can only grow to be 5 inches long.

Minks are nocturnal animals, whereas some ferrets are crepuscular (active during dusk and dawn). Minks are less social and will fight over territory with other minks. Ferrets, on the other hand, are more social creatures, albeit territorial. Ferrets are generally land-dwelling animals that live in tunnels, whereas minks prefer to live in dens built on river banks or near marshes.

Minks are stronger than ferrets and can easily take down much larger prey than ferrets.

Mongoose Vs Ferret

Mongooses and ferrets are very different animals, but they can be easily confused if you don’t know much about them. There are numerous distinctions between the mongoose and the ferret. Ferrets and mongooses are both members of the same family, but their genus is different. The genus Herpestes includes the mongoose, while the genus Mustela includes ferrets.

A mongoose is also significantly larger than an adult ferret. Analyzing mongoose vs ferret when it comes to body strength is pretty significant. Mongooses are very powerful creatures. A typical ferret weighs 1-4 pounds and can grow to be 2 feet long. A mongoose can grow to be 1-3 feet long and weigh twice as much as a ferret (1-8 pounds).

Mongooses are mostly found in Africa and Asia, whereas ferrets are mostly found in Europe. Mongooses prefer dry, arid climates, which is why they thrive in deserts and savannas, whereas ferrets prefer mild climates. Although both animals are members of the same family, they are very different in appearance. Mongoose bodies are thick and bulky, whereas ferret bodies are slim and delicate.

Mongooses’ ears are slightly larger than ferrets’. They are also available in a variety of colors, with ferrets having more color combinations than mongooses. Mongoose coats are typically grey, rust, brown, or yellow, while ferret coats are black, brown, grey, or cream.

Both mongooses and ferrets are social animals, though mongooses avoid humans at all costs. Mongooses primarily hunt reptiles like snakes and lizards, as well as insects, small rodents, and birds, whereas ferrets eat only small rodents and rabbits.

Final Words: What’s The Difference Between a Weasel Vs Ferret, Mongoose, Mink, Polecat

When compared to a weasel vs ferret, mongooses, minks, and polecats vs ferret, ferrets are very different animals. Though they may appear similar and share some similarities, they are not the same. All of these animals are members of the Mustelid family, but only ferrets have been domesticated and socialized with humans.

Ferrets also differ from the majority of these animals in terms of behavior, lifestyle, diet, genus, and physical appearance. And obviously, they are the most loveable of the bunch. Check out our full back-catalog for more more information on these amazing creatures.