Looking for a pet that's more independent than a dog, yet more playful than a cat?
Enter the ferret, which has climbed to third most popular pet in the U.S. These furry little guys belong to the weasel family and are curious, intelligent and extremely playful. They were domesticated about 2,500 years ago and were historically used to hunt rabbits and rodents.
Ferrets can be trained to use a litter box, although their bodies can have an odor if they're not spayed or neutered. Some owners choose to have their pets de-scented to remove odor-producing glands.
Ferrets are typically considered an exotic pet. Although exotic doesn't have a standardized definition, it is generally used to describe a wild animal or a species outside of a cat or dog, according to National Geographic. Therefore, anything from a fish to an alligator — or a ferret — can be classified as such.
If you're considering taking one in for Adopt a Ferret Month (April), make sure you know your state and local laws. Though cute, ferrets are nevertheless a bit controversial, perhaps owing to their exotic status and inclination to colonize if they escape. Though domesticated, they can revert back to their feral state if not cared for properly.
Currently, California and Hawaii are the only two states where ferret ownership is illegal. Although no other states have banned them, some cities prohibit the critters, including New York City and Washington, D.C.
Lastly, if you have small children, experts recommend that for everyone's safety, adults closely supervise all interactions between ferrets and kids.