Residents at Steepleton Manor Care Home enjoyed some fun and games when two friendly ferrets visited. Blossom and Bear live at the Animal Park at Kingston Maurward College.
Their favourite games are playing in ball pits and little swimming pools.
Ferrets are a domesticated species related to the wild polecat. They are very playful and love to chase toys. Whilst they can be friendly, it is important to remember they are carnivorous predators which would normally hunt rabbits in the wild so they have a nasty bite!
Part of the Mustelid family alongside badgers, they have special glands under their tails which give off a musty smell.
Ferrets are happiest living in pairs or small groups. They do not make ideal pets as they are best living outside and require specialist care including vaccinations and neutering.
The ferret was originally domesticated to be used for hunting, and are still often used, sometimes alongside hawks to chase rabbits out of their warrens.
Blossom and Bear are used solely for education and had a great time meeting residents and staff at Steepleton Manor Care Home, near Dorchester.
Laslzo Bartus, Manager at Steepleton Manor said, “Our residents love to meet animals and the two ferrets were adorable and seemed to enjoy being handled and playing. They bought lots of smiles to many faces”.
