From:
"dcare"
Date: 2009-07-24 23:08:50 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Darkness
To: <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
When I first got my two monsters, I read through "ferrets for dummies" thoroughly, wanting to insure that they got the best of care I could provide. It was there that I found that a dark environment is prefered for ferrets. Not a problem since, I considered my self an urban hermit, and my "man cave" was intentionally kept dark. I pretty much kept my drapes shut, and while not totally in blackness, the weasels would climb into their hammock and snooze away the day. When out and romping, they had no problems with the light or lack there of. If it was too bright, they would sneak into the closet and curl up in the big beach towel they had adopted (stolen). When I moved from my apartment here to my uncle's house to help take care of my mom, (and him), I set their cage into the large bedroom closet, and always kept the doors open just enough for good circulation, but keeping it dark for them. I only have one baby left, and she is pretty active when out romping, but when she
gets tired, she makes herself comfy in some dark corner. I keep a pet carrier out, complete with their old curling up beach towel (it carries thud's scent) and I can usually find her there. Or she is under my blankets all cuddly and snoozing. One nite I panicked because I couldnt find her to put her to bed and I feared the worse because we have three dogs here, two of which really want to eat her. I finally found her curled up, sound asleep in her hammock. She had tucked herself in.
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Lloyd
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 3:06 PM
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Darkness
>From some of the past posts it is clear that ferrets need access to complete darkness, is that correct? For at least 14 hours a day? Is this only for sleep purposes? <
The length of darkness should match the natural outdoor night time, 6 hours in the summer to 14 hours in the winter. I use small lightproof cardboard or wooden nest boxes and hammocks made of two layers of woollen carpet. They can sleep on or in the hammocks. Chris.
[Chris has whole ferrets. For neutered ferrets the recommendation
is wintertime length of darkness to try to delay the onset of reduce
the rate of adrenal disease. The effect of large amounts of light may
not show up for a considerable time. -- Moderator]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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