28 Animals that Look Like Ferrets (A to Z with Pictures)

Animals that look like ferrets include weasels, mink, polecats, badgers, and civets.

Ferrets are domesticated animal that is most closely related to the weasel. They are playful and curious creatures that make great pets. Ferrets are also recognizable for their distinct markings and black coloring. However, there are some animals out there that share similarities with ferrets and might be mistaken for them.

In this blog post, we will take a look at some of those animals. So, if you’re ever wondering if an animal you see looks like a ferret, keep reading.

Examples of Animals that Look Like Ferrets

1. Amazon Weasel

The Amazon weasel ( Mustela africana) is a species of weasel that is native to South America. It shares many similarities with the ferret, including its long, slender body and black fur. However, there are some key differences between the two animals.

For one, the Amazon weasel is much smaller than the ferret, with a body length of only 12-18 inches. Additionally, the Amazon weasel has a white stripe running down its back, whereas ferrets do not.

Related Article: Is a Weasel a Rodent?

2. American Mink

The American mink is a small, semi-aquatic mammal that is closely related to the ferret. They have a similar body shape and size, and both animals have long, slender bodies with short legs. Minks also have pointed noses and small ears.

However, there are some key differences between these two animals. American minks have brown or black fur, while ferrets have distinct markings and are usually black in color. Minks also have webbed feet, which helps them swim well. Another difference is that minks are wild animals, while ferrets are domesticated.

3. American Polecat

The American polecat is also known as the black-footed ferret. It is a wild animal that is closely related to the weasel. The American polecat looks similar to a ferret, but it has black fur on its feet and tail. It also has a white stripe running down its back.

4. Back-Striped Weasel

The back-striped weasel is a small mammal that looks very similar to a ferret. They have a long, slender body and are black with a white stripe running down their back. These weasels are found in parts of Asia and Europe.

5. Badgers

Badgers are a type of mammal that is closely related to ferrets. They are both members of the family Mustelidae, which also includes otters and wolverines. Badgers are much larger than ferrets though, and they have a different coat of fur. Badgers also live in different habitats than ferrets.

Read Also: Do Badgers Have Stripes?

6. Civets

The civet is a small, mammal that is found in Africa and Asia. They are nocturnal animals and are most active at night. Civets are also characterized by their long, slender bodies and black fur. While they may look like ferrets, civets are actually more closely related to cats.

7. Colombian Weasel

The Colombian weasel is a type of weasel that is found in South America. They are similar to ferrets in that they have long, slender bodies and furry tails. However, Colombian weasels have a more reddish-brown coloring, and their fur is not as thick. They also have shorter legs than ferrets.

8. Egyptian Weasel

The first animal on our list is the Egyptian weasel. As you might guess from the name, this weasel is found in Egypt. It is a small mammal that looks similar to a ferret, with a long body and short legs. The Egyptian weasel also has black fur, although it is not as glossy as a ferret’s fur. This weasel is a carnivore, and it preys on small mammals, reptiles, and birds.

9. European Mink

The European mink is a small, semi-aquatic mammal that is native to Europe. They are closely related to ferrets and look very similar to them. European minks have dark brown fur, and their underbellies are usually lighter in color. They also have long, slender bodies and faces.

However, there are some key differences between European minks and ferrets. For one, European minks are much larger than ferrets. They also have webbed toes, which help them swim better. Finally, European minks are not typically kept as pets.

10. European Polecat

The European polecat is a wild ancestor of the ferret. They are about the same size as a ferret and have a similar body shape. Polecats also have black fur, but their markings are different. They have a white stripe running down their back and their belly is typically white as well.

11. Fishers

When most people think of a fisher, they think of a large mammal that is related to the weasel. However, did you know that there are actually two different types of fishers?

The North American fisher (Pekania pennanti) and the European common genet (Genetta genetta). Both of these animals have long, slim bodies and are proficient tree climbers. They also share the same black fur as ferrets, although the North American fisher has a more patchy coat.

12. Indonesian Mountain Weasel

The Indonesian mountain weasel is a small mammal that is found in the mountains of Indonesia. This weasel has black fur and is about the same size as a ferret. The Indonesian mountain weasel is also known to be playful and curious, as the ferret.

13. Irish Stoat

The Irish stoat is a small mammal that is found in Ireland and Great Britain. This animal is a member of the weasel family and shares many similarities with ferrets. For one, they both have long, slender bodies.

They also have similar coloring, with the Irish stoat being brown or black on top, and white on the bottom. However, there are some differences between these two animals. The Irish stoat has a longer tail, and its face is more pointed than the ferrets.

14. Japanese Weasel

The Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi) is a species of weasel that is found in Japan. It is very similar in appearance to the European weasel (Mustela nivalis), and the two species are often confused with one another.

The Japanese weasel has a brown upper body, with a white underside. It also has a black stripe running down its back. Japanese weasels are smaller than ferrets, and their tails are not as bushy.

15. Least Weasel

The least weasel is the smallest member of the weasel family. It shares many similarities with ferrets, including its long, slender body and furry tail. However, the least weasel is much smaller than a ferret, measuring only 8-10 inches in length. Additionally, the least weasel has a white or pale brown coat, whereas ferrets have a black coat.

16. Long-Tailed Weasel

The long-tailed weasel is a small carnivorous mammal of the Mustelidae family, which also includes stoats, ferrets, badgers, and otters. It is the largest species of weasel. The long-tailed weasel is found in North America, Central America, and South America. It has a slim body and a long tail. It is brown or black in color with a white chest and belly.

Related Article: What Eats Otters?

17. Malayan Weasel

The Malayan weasel, also known as the tropical weasel or Mustela nudipes, is a species of weasel that is found in Southeast Asia. This animal looks strikingly similar to the ferret, with its long body and black fur. The main difference between the two animals is that the Malayan weasel has a longer snout and smaller ears.

18. Mongoose

The mongoose is a small mammal that is found in Africa, Asia, and southern Europe. Mongooses are known for their long bodies and short legs. They also have a bushy tail and pointed snout. Mongooses are often confused with ferrets because they share similar physical characteristics.

19. Mountain Weasel

The mountain weasel (Mustela altaica) is a member of the weasel family and is found in the mountainous regions of Eurasia. They have a slim body, a small head, and short legs. Their fur is typically brown or black in color, with some white spotting on their underbodies. Mountain weasels are also known to have a reddish tinge to their fur during the winter.

20. Otters

Otters are a type of mammal that is closely related to weasels, badgers, and wolverines. They are semiaquatic creatures that spend a lot of their time in the water. Otters have long, slim bodies and webbed feet, which help them swim quickly. They also have furry coats that keep them warm in the water. While otters might look like ferrets, they are actually much larger animals.

Related Article: Do Otters Symbolize Kindness?

21. Pine Martens

Pine martens are a type of weasel that is found in North America and Europe. They have a slim body and long tail, like a ferret, but they are usually brown or reddish in color. Pine martens also have large ears and sharp claws. Sometimes, pine martens can be mistaken for ferrets, but they are actually a different species of animal.

22. Polecat-Ferret

The first animal on our list is the polecat-ferret. As you can probably tell from its name, this animal is a close relative of the ferret. In fact, the two animals are so similar that they are often confused with one another.

Both animals have long, slender bodies and black fur. However, there are some subtle differences between the two. For instance, polecat ferrets have longer legs and shorter tails than ferrets. They also have a more pointed face and smaller ears.

23. Siberian Weasel

The Siberian weasel is a species of weasel that is found in Siberia and parts of China. They are similar in appearance to ferrets but have a longer body and tail. They are also typically brown or reddish-brown in color, with white underparts.

24. Skunk

At first glance, skunks may look like ferrets. They are both small animals with long bodies and black fur. However, skunks have much thicker fur than ferrets, and their tails are much shorter in proportion to their body size.

Skunks also have a distinct stripe of white fur down their backs, which ferrets do not have. When it comes to personality, skunks are not as playful as ferrets. They are also known for being rather aggressive, which is something you would never see in a ferret.

Read Also: 22 Animals that Look Like Skunks

25. Steppe Polecat

The Steppe Polecat is a wild animal that is closely related to the ferret. They are both members of the Mustela family, which also includes weasels, mink, and otters. The Steppe Polecat is found in central Asia and parts of Eastern Europe.

They have a long body and a short tail, just like ferrets. They are also a similar size, with males reaching up to 18 inches in length and females reaching up to 16 inches. However, the Steppe Polecat has a more wolf-like face, and its fur is yellowish-brown with black spots.

26. Stoats

One animal that looks similar to a ferret is the stoat. The stoat is a small mammal that is closely related to weasels and ferrets. They have a long, slender body and are usually brown or black in color.

Stoats are found in Europe, Asia, and North America. While they may look like ferrets, stoats are actually wild animals. So, if you see a small mammal that looks like a ferret, it’s probably a stoat!

27. Wolverines

Wolverines are a type of weasel that is found in North America. They are much larger than ferrets, and can grow to be up to 3 feet long! Wolverines also have a more robust build, with thick fur and a bushy tail.

Their coloring is usually brown or black, with lighter markings on their face and chest. While they may look like ferrets, wolverines are actually quite different animals. They are much more aggressive and are known to be fierce predators. Wolverines are not domesticated animals, and would not make good pets.

28. Yellow-Bellied Weasel

The yellow-bellied weasel is a wild animal that is found in North America. It is related to the ferret and shares many of the same characteristics. These weasels are small, slim, and have long bodies.

They also have black fur on their backs, with a yellow or white belly. Yellow-bellied weasels are mostly active at night and are known to hunt small mammals, such as mice and voles.

Conclusion

There are many animals out there that look similar to ferrets. These range from the European polecat, which has black fur on its feet and tail, to the American mink, which is a small semi-aquatic mammal that looks very similar to a ferret in appearance with some key differences.

Garreth

Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.