James McKay - ST

[barraboy 28]

QUESTION: "I have recently seen an advertisment for hybrid ferrets produced by mating ordinary ferrets to European polecats. Who is breeding or importing polecats and what are the advantages of this hybrid?"

 

ANSWER: "......Under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act it is unlawful to catch, kill or take wild polecats, though accidental takings are allowed. Many people with so-called "wild" polecats have simply obtained a dark polecat coloured ferret .... and believe it to be a true ploecat. Where true polecats are crossed with ferrets, the resultant offspring are entirely useless for rabbiting as they are far too skittish. It should be remembered that polecats were selectively bred to eliminate unwanted characteristics. Crossing true polecats with ferrets is simply trying to reinvent the wheel and I can see no advantage in such a breeding."

 

i read this in todays ST Q&A section and thought it was quite an interesting question. i openly admit my knowledge of ferrets is pretty weak so i wondered what people "in the know" think of this question and the answer the "expert" gave.

[ginge2k6 0]

breeding the 2 is clearly a step back i nbreeding and anyone who pupsefully breeds hybrids is a fool, it is rightfully illegal, i feel strongly on this matter.

[Guest fuzzylampkin]

has anyone had any personal experiencies with these polecat hybrids

Edited June 21, 2006 by fuzzylampkin

[Guest wickidweasel]

I was looking at some a few weeks ago they seemed very timid