Are you planning to own an albino ferret? Or did you know how albino ferrets are different than other ferrets?
You will be glad to know that, in this article, I’m talking about- the albino ferret complete breakdown. After reading this you will be quite confident to decide and identify the difference between these two ferrets.
So, make sure to read till the end.
Content List
- 1 What is albino ferret? complete guidance
- 2 How rare is an albino ferret?
- 3 Are most albino ferrets deaf?
- 4 What are the Breed Characteristics of Albino Ferrets?
- 5 Does an Albino Ferret Change Color as They Grow Old?
- 6 Albino ferrets facts
- 7 What is the behavior of an albino ferret?
- 8 Do albino ferrets exist in the wild?
- 9 Is an Albino Ferret Prone to Certain Conditions or Diseases?
- 10 What is the temperament of an albino ferret?
- 11 What is the life expectancy of an albino ferret?
- 12 What does an albino ferret eat?
- 13 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 14 Conclusion
What is albino ferret? complete guidance
Albino is one of the types of ferrets. They have white skin and fur with ruby-red eyes. The white appearance of the Albino ferret happened due to the secretion of recessive genes.
A mutation takes place in the tyrosinase gene due to the secretion of recessive genes.
Albino ferrets are highly loved among ferret owners. However, the population of this ferret is not so high which makes them even more special.
How rare is an albino ferret?
The Albino ferret is gaining popularity among owners, it’s availability is not as compared to the other ferrets.
Whether it’s North America, Europe, or Asia albino ferrets are limited number. According to scientific reports, albino ferrets or white ferrets exist in one out of every 20,000 ferrets.
So, if you planning to own an albino ferret then you can ask the breeder or large-scale ferret owner.
You will find a bit of difficulty in finding an albino ferret but you will also get benefits when it comes to its price. They are of the same price as normal ferrets.
Are most albino ferrets deaf?
No, generally albino ferrets aren’t deaf. However, in some cases, they found it hard to hear but not fully deaf.
Deafness is majorly found in white ferrets. Waardenburg syndrome is the reason behind deafness in white ferrets.
The disturbance in hearing can also cause a change in the behaviors of the albino ferrets. They might get irritated and angry soon too which leads to the destruction of things nearby.
What are the Breed Characteristics of Albino Ferrets?
Various breeds and colors of ferrets exist in different countries and continents. In some places, many ferret owners consider regular ferrets as Albino ferrets.
However, the report of AFA (American Ferret Association) says ferrets have seven identified color patterns and albino is one of them.
AFA issues following standards that need to be fulfilled for a ferret to be albino:
- Pink colored nose
- Ruby red eyes
- White to cream-colored undercoat
- White to cream-colored guard hairs or outer coat
According to the AFA, Some ferrets have dark-colored eyes with white coats but they are not considered albino ferrets.
Does an Albino Ferret Change Color as They Grow Old?
Yes, an albino ferret’s color changes over time. The color in adulthood will not be the same as in old age.
The color change mainly happens due to the rough playing style of the ferret. As ferrets are highly active and curious animals they love playing and exploring new places.
Usually, the fur of the albino ferrets changes from white to cream or yellow color.
When the skin of a ferret comes in touch with soil, urine sand, and rough surfaces regularly. It results in a change of color.
So, it is suggested to clean the bedding of the albino ferrets. Also, in some cases when lick specific body parts, it results in a change of color.
Albino ferrets facts
Following are some of the important albino ferrets facts:
- There is no melanin in albino ferrets which is responsible for the color of skin and fur.
- The deafness in albino ferrets lies from less to larger range.
- By the age of three weeks, they got a new set of darker colors and patterns.
- Due to the absence of pigments in the eyes, albino ferrets reflect light in shades of red or pink.
- They are highly sensitive to the bright light.
What is the behavior of an albino ferret?
The behaviors of the albino ferrets are almost same as normal or regular ferrets. They are highly energetic, curious and carnivores nature.
Some time a albino ferret exhibit more energetic activities than normal ferrets. The body length, structure and flexibility is also same as normal ferrets.
Despite of their highly active and energetic nature they also tempting of getting sleep in cozy corners.
They are also pro in climbing. The change in natural behaviour of albino ferrets came when they start getting older.
Normally they have a bit issue of hearing and vision. These problem start increasing when they getting older with time.
Do albino ferrets exist in the wild?
As discussed above albinism is the major reason for the hearing and eyesight defect in albino ferrets. The important point point here is albinsim is found more in domestic ferrets as compare to the wild.
The reason is the demand of the selective breeding done by humans. On the other hand, wild albino ferrets is away from the albinism.
The biggest challenge for doestic albino ferrets is the risk of hunt by predatore due to poor eyesight and hearing. Also, it’s hard for them to get catch prey in the wild.
So, it’s hard for albinos to survive in the wild.
Is an Albino Ferret Prone to Certain Conditions or Diseases?
If you are wondering- do albino ferrets have health problems? The clear answer is yes there are numerous health challenges that albino ferrets go through.
Most of the time albinos seem to be healthy from the outside but, they possess health problems. These health issues are mentioned following:
1. Poor hearing capacity
This is one of the most common things that an albino ferret is prone to. It’s not found in all albinos but it deals with it due to albinism.
Albinism can cause into change in the behaviors of albino ferrets. This change may trouble the owner as well as the albino itself.
2. Eyesight problem
It’s also one of the most common problems found in albino ferrets like poor hearing. Albinism is the reason behind the poor eyesight problem.
Eyesight issues in albinism can be either shortsightedness or farsightedness. In other cases, their vision becomes blurred due to abnormal growth of the cornea.
This can also lead to injury during playing and low body energy levels. So, if you are planning to own an albino ferret you must be aware of these things.
3. Temperament problem
The temperament problem only takes place in the albino who is dealing with hearing and eyesight problems.
So, if your ferret has a short or abnormal temper then he/she dealing with the above problem and vice-versa.
But, the good thing is not all albino ferrets deal with these problems. Most of them are normal and exhibit normal behavior and temperament as well.
What is the temperament of an albino ferret?
In general albino ferrets are highly curious and playful. They love climbing, rolling, digging, and being around owners.
However, when there are hearing and vision defects, the temperament of an albino ferret changes. In such cases, albinos may exhibit short-term anger and annoying behavior.
Despite the temperament issue, albinos can live happily and healthily. All they need is your attention, care, and involvement.
What is the life expectancy of an albino ferret?
Broadly speaking, albino ferrets can live up to 8 years and some time even more. The life span of the albino depends on various factors.
The first and major one is the breed of the albinos, if it is right then they play a major role in the long albino life.
The second one is the proper diet and care. A good diet and proper care which includes vet checkups, owner attention, and more will keep increasing the life expectancy of the albino ferret.
What does an albino ferret eat?
The diet or food of the albino ferret is the same as other ferrets which means meat is their major source of food.
Like normal ferrets, albino’s food also contains high protein, low fat, and minimum or zero carbohydrates.
Other than meat you can also feed prey to albinos like mice, rats, and, rabbits. More raw meat options are mutation, beef, lamb, and more.
Albino ferrets also can eat goldfish but it’s not part of their regular diet. The important point to note is that don’t feed any kind of plant or plant-based protein.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are albino ferrets deaf?
Yes, they are deaf but, not all and fully.
Are albino ferrets blind?
Yes, many albino ferrets face poor vision problems.
What do white ferrets eat?
They eat same as normal ferrets high in protein and zero in carbohydrates.
Are albino ferrets rare?
No, they can be easily found like other ferrets at the same price.
Conclusion
Now you have full detaila of a albino ferret complete breakdown.
Albino ferrets are obligate carnivorus animal creature same as other ferrets which means their food are same. Albinos are also available at the same price as normal ferrets.
Albino ferrets have poor eyesight and hearing capacity which also affect their behaviour. Unlike other ferrets, they have white skin and fur with ruby-red eyes.