Table 2.

Advantages and disadvantages of ferret model used for biomedical research

SI. No	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Hardy nature	Complicated husbandry requirements compared to other animal models
2	Social behavior	Higher cost
3	Small size compared to non-rodent models	Minimal commercial availability
4	Relatively low amount of test compounds required compared to canine and non-human primate models	Enormous relative heterogeneity
5	Early sexual maturity (approximately eight months of age) compared to large animal models	Lack of availability of inbred and specific pathogen–free ferrets
6	Ability to vomit compared to rodents and lagomorphs: To study the emetic potential of future candidates in oncology	Shortage of contract laboratories with experience using them
7	Absence of inverted yolk sac placenta: Useful in teratogenicity research	Low number of quality breeders
8	Susceptible to several known human teratogens including methyl mercury, ethyl alcohol, thalidomide, vitamin A analogues, and alkylating anticancer agents	Lack of comprehensive databases
9	Upper and lower respiratory tracts similar to humans
10	Ability to cough and sneeze
11	Susceptible to unadapted human influenza virus isolates
12	The ability to monitor viral shedding kinetics from both the upper and/or lower respiratory tracts using nasal washing or lower bronchoalveolar lavage
13	Ferret ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) gene is phylogenetically equivalent to that of humans
14	Presence of outer subventricular zone (OSVZ) progenitor in brain similar to primates, especially in humans