Ferreting out new scents!

Ferrets Shadow, Storm and Smokie had fun sniffing out new scents when DZG’s education staff brought in a selection of smellies.

Presenters from the Discovery Centre, including Presentation Assistant Amy Hickman above, brought in left over perfume to add to the brothers’ homes as an enrichment exercise.

Presenter Dorrie Hall said: “The boys loved exploring the new smells which encourages tracking skills and tests their natural abilities.”

The presenters also tried the sweet-smelling enrichment with fancy rats Lightning, Rebel, Ace and Jet.

Ferrets are domesticated versions of a polecat and first came into this country with the Normans in 1066. They were used for hunting rabbits but today they are currently the seventh most popular pet in Britain.

In America they are classed as the third most popular pet and many owners walk them on leads and dress them up in costumes.

DID YOU KNOW . . .

Ferrets are born deaf and begin to hear at around 34 days

A newborn ferret is small enough to fit on a teaspoon

Male ferrets are called hobs; female ferrets are jills

A group of ferrets is called a business