Can ferrets have spots like a cow?

Question

Can ferrets have spots like a cow?

Answer 1

yes they can but its a lil uncommon

Answer 2

I have seen a line of ferrets long ago which was blotched beyond what can happen with neural crest genetic variants.  Unfortunately, it had an aortic defect that went with it and the ferrets died young.  The breeder was responsible, though, and culled the line by neutering them after the deaths began.

Here is some info from a genetics professor on neural crest genetic variants in ferrets which can produce some non-standard spotting, panda head markings, and head blazes :

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG3069

and more can be found in the those FHL archives and in

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferre...

There is also a rare genetic subset of the neural crest genetic variant category called "LEOPARD" which adds pigmented spots to the skin and the fur from those spots.  It is also associated with a number of medical problems.

Basically, breeding for spotting has historically backfired in a bad way with ferrets, healthwise.

Now, there are some standard markings which include safe patterns which people who are not used to ferrets might think of as "spots".

For a portrait of Queen Elizabeth the first of England the painter added spots to her female domestic ferret to make her appear more "regal".  Those were only the painting, though.  The ferret herself was an albino.

Also, there is a very spotted distant relative of ferrets called a Vormela:

http://itech.pjc.edu/sctag/marbled_polec...

http://www.ecosystema.ru/08nature/photo/...

http://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Vormel...

Oh, here are standard markings in a photo found on an image  search:

http://www.thewildhunt.com/thegreen/imag...

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferre...

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/

http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html

http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/

http://www.ferretcongress.org/

http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml

http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferr...

Answer 3

well, if you mean like this:

http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/ilm/proin...

...then it's unlikely that you'll find one like that. anything is possible, of course, but bi-colored splotches aren't the norm when it comes to ferret colors & patterns. there may be slight variations in coat patterns, but overall, here's a list of what you'll usually see among the critters:

http://www.ferret.org/events/colors/colo...

however, like i said, anything's possible. just because we haven't seen one yet doesn't mean one doesn't exist somewhere.