Table 11-10.

Biologic and Physiologic Data of Ferrets.^43,52,64

Parameter	Normal Values
Adult body weight, male	1-2 kg
Adult body weight, female	0.65-0.95 kg
Birth weight	6-12 g
Weight at 7 days	30 g average
Weight at 14 days	60-70 g
Sexual maturity	6-12 mo (usually 1st spring after birth)
Reproductive cycle	Induced ovulator
Gestation period	42 ± 2 days
Litter size	1-18 (average 8, primiparous jill 10)
Weaning age	6-8 wk
Eyes open	34 days
Hearing	32 days
Life span	5-9 yr (average in United States)
Food consumption	43 g/kg/day
Water consumption	75-100 mL/day
Gastrointestinal transit time	3-4 hr
Enteral feeding requirements	2000-3000 kcal/kg/day
Dental formula	2(I 3/3 C 1/1 P 3/3 M 1/2) = 34
Deciduous teeth erupt	20-28 days
Permanent teeth erupt	50-74 days
Canines erupt	50 days
Molars erupt (first to fourth)	53-74 days
Heart rate	200-400 beats/min
Mean systolic blood pressure	133-161 mmHg
Respiratory rate	33-36 breaths/min
Rectal temperature	37.8-40°C (100-104°F)
Blood volume	60-80 mL (5%-7% body weight)
Intraocular pressure	22.8 ± 5.5 mmHg
Endotracheal tube size	2-4 mm ID
Prothrombin time (PT)	8-16.5 sec
Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)	16-25 sec