One of my ferrets keeps biting the other ones ears why does he do this?

Question

when he does this his brother squeals out is he hurting him? the ferret thing is all new to me!

Answer 1

Lots of reasons - could be hungry, the cage/pen could be too small, they could be competing for a female.

If you have a possibility to do so, separate them.

Answer 2

It's probably a hierarchy thing like many other animals do.

Answer 3

When I first got my new ferret they did that a bit. Just gently take the ferret biting the other ferrets ear off, and place him somewhere else. After a while they will stop this. but they could just be playing. Mine squeal a bit when they play, and do get kind of rough, but it's alright. Unless you see blood, then that's NOT okay, and you should probably keep them in different cages.

Answer 4

Your ferret is showing dominance but if he is hurting your other one (screaming, blood, running away) then you should separate them.  Generally ferret play looks rough but it sounds like your ferret is being bullied.

Answer 5

My ferrets do this as well though mostly when one is sleeping and unsuspecting! Its just a way they play, dont worry it doesnt hurt them! Its a bonding thing I was told....plus many times ferrets l**k eachothers ears to clean them, even thought they squeal...its ok!

Answer 6

he may being just picking on him,

is his ear torn up at all

Answer 7

If these are youngsters, this is really common behavior.  When the one squeals, it lets the other ferret know that he is not enjoying the activity.  I use this same technique when teaching ferrets to bite softly.  I YIP like I am in pain and it usually helps the ferret understand that they are biting too hard, or in the wrong place.

You will often see ferrets l*****g or grooming other ferrets’ ears, or even human ears. Ear l*****g is a behavior that can either be used to assert dominance or discipline, or is used to placate a more assertive ferret. Mother ferrets groom their babies’ ears to discipline them. Sometimes an older ferret will become tired of a younger ferret’s play antics, and the older ferret may pin down the younger ferret and forcibly wash its ears in an effort to say "leave me alone!" Often, the ferret being groomed will scream, cry, and struggle during this procedure. On the other hand, a submissive ferret may also groom a dominant ferret’s ears in an effort to pacify the dominant ferret. In this case, ear grooming often takes place while one ferret is asleep.

You did not mention how old your ferrets are so I want to give you a little more information to think about.  As ferrets get older, usually around 3 years old, they are prone to many diseases one of which is Adrenal disease.  Ferrets can become aggressive from adrenal gland hormone overproduction. Adrenal androgens can produce sexual behavior in neutered males that is usually directed at other household ferrets, but can occasionally be directed at their humans. This type of behavior includes nipping, mounting, excessive l*****g, biting and dragging other ferrets, particularly by the scruff.  

Since you seem new to ferreting, I added a page for your reading pleasure.

http://www.everythingferret.com/ferret_b...

Answer 8

probably just playing  and finding there teeth strength, if he meant business he would latch on to the other one and you would have a tough time getting it off.

Answer 9

They are just playing. The four ferrets that my roommate has do the same thing all the time. One will be sleeping and get attacked...RIGHT OUT OF THE HAMMOCK!! They knock each other all over the cage.

Ferrets are playful animals.. that is why you should never own just one. They love to sleep together, eat together, explore together, and play together. They are generally very good natured.

  If there are signs of blood or the other one starts losing weight, then I wouldn't worry about it.

  Good luck and enjoy ferreting.