Evolutionary History

This tree shows the relatives of the black footed ferret.

Ferrets evolved in Europe sometime between 3 and 4 million years ago from weasel-like ancestors.  The black footed ferret’s most likely ancestor is Mustela stromeri.  They then migrated into Siberia and across the land bridge into North America.  The species appeared in the Rockies and the Great Basin 750,000 years ago.  The black footed ferret diverged from it’s Siberian cousins about .5 to 2 million years ago.  Native Americans were the first people to know the black footed ferrets, often using them for medicinal and ceremonial purposes.  Many tribes considered the ferret sacred.

This is the Asian steppe polecat, which is the closest relative to the black footed ferret.

Over thousands of years of evolution, the ferrets evolved to suit their North American environment better.  The black footed ferret has evolved large ears and large eyes.  This adaptation helps the ferret hunt underground in the darkness.  Also, the black footed ferret has adapted a large skull along with a large jaws and sharp teeth to eat prairie dogs.  Finally, the black footed ferret’s long, thin body lets it move easily in small tunnels.

The ferrets large teeth and jaw help the black footed ferret eat meat.