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Black-footed Ferret

Mustela nigripes

Mammal · family Mustelidae · order Carnivora

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G1: critically imperiled[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Black-footed Ferret
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Endangered (some populations)[1]
NatureServe global rank
G1 Critically Imperiled[2]
Native in
9 states[3]
Longest recorded life
9.4 years[4]

The Black-footed Ferret is a mammal in the family Mustelidae, order Carnivora[5]. It is listed as Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act and is native in nine US states[3].

Conservation status

The US Endangered Species Act lists the Black-footed Ferret as Endangered, a listing made on March 11, 1967[1]. Some reintroduced groups are listed separately as Experimental Population, Non-Essential, including ones in Wyoming and South Dakota[6][7]. NatureServe ranks it G1 worldwide and N1 in the United States, which means Critically Imperiled[2][8]. NatureServe estimates 250 to 1000 adults worldwide[9]. International trade in it is controlled under CITES Appendix I[10].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Endangered, listed March 11, 1967 (Wherever found, except where listed as an experimental population)
Endangered Species Act[11] Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed May 16, 2003 (Rosebud Sioux Reservation Experimental Population Area - U.S.A. (parts of SD))
Endangered Species Act[6] Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed October 30, 2015 (Wyoming Experimental Population Area - U.S.A. (most of WY))
Endangered Species Act[12] Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed October 13, 2000 (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reintroduction Area - U.S.A. (parts of SD))
Endangered Species Act[13] Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed August 21, 1991 ([Shirley Basin/Medicine Bow Management Area NEP] - U.S.A. (parts of WY))
Endangered Species Act[14] Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed October 1, 1998 (Northwestern Colorado/Northeastern Utah Experimental Population Area - U.S.A. (parts of CO)
Endangered Species Act[15] Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed March 20, 1996 (Southwest Experimental Population Area - U.S.A. (parts of AZ, NM, UT))
Endangered Species Act[16] Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed August 18, 1994 ([Northcentral Montana Reintroduction Area NEP] - U.S.A. (parts of MT))
Endangered Species Act[7] Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed August 18, 1994 ([Conata Basin/Badlands Reintroduction Area NEP] - U.S.A. (parts of SD))
NatureServe global rank[2] G1 (Critically Imperiled)
NatureServe US rank[8] N1 (Critically Imperiled)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[17] Endangered
CITES (international trade)[10] Appendix I
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[9] 250 to 1000 individuals

Where Black-footed Ferret lives

NatureServe lists the Black-footed Ferret as native in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming[3]. It is ranked as gone or possibly gone from Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas[18]. Reintroduced groups have been set up in places such as Arizona, Utah, Wyoming and Montana[6][15][16].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: not recordedWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: native, state rank S1MTNorth Dakota: native, state rank S1NDMinnesota: not recordedMNIllinois: not recordedILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: not recordedNYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: not recordedORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: native, state rank S1WYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S1SDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: not recordedINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: not recordedPANew Jersey: not recordedNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: native, state rank S1UTColorado: native, state rank S1CONebraska: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHNEMissouri: not recordedMOKentucky: not recordedKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: not recordedVAMaryland: not recordedMDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: native, state rank S1AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S1NMKansas: native, state rank S1KSArkansas: not recordedARTennessee: not recordedTNNorth Carolina: not recordedNCSouth Carolina: not recordedSCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXOKLouisiana: not recordedLAMississippi: not recordedMSAlabama: not recordedALGeorgia: not recordedGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXTXFlorida: not recordedFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[19].
Show state ranks (12 states)
StateRankMeaning
ArizonaS1Critically Imperiled
ColoradoS1Critically Imperiled
KansasS1Critically Imperiled
MontanaS1Critically Imperiled
NebraskaSHPossibly Extirpated
New MexicoS1Critically Imperiled
North DakotaS1Critically Imperiled
OklahomaSXPresumed Extirpated
South DakotaS1Critically Imperiled
TexasSXPresumed Extirpated
UtahS1Critically Imperiled
WyomingS1Critically Imperiled

Habitat

This ferret needs open country, such as grassland and shrub steppe, which is dry land with scattered shrubs[20][21]. It rests and raises young in underground burrows, usually dug by prairie dogs[21]. NatureServe estimates one ferret needs a prairie dog colony of 40 to 60 hectares[21].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[20]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Black-footed Ferret eats meat[22]. Prairie dogs are an important food, and their remains showed up in 91% of the ferret droppings checked in one study[23]. Other small animals such as ground squirrels, cottontail rabbits and deer mice are probably eaten when needed[23]. A typical ferret is about 57 cm (22 in) long and weighs about 633 g[24][25]. A litter is typically 3 young after a 43 day pregnancy[26][27]. Females reach maturity at 365 days[28]. The longest recorded lifespan was in captivity[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[24] 57 cm (22 in)
Typical adult weight[25] 633 g (22.3 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[4] 9.4 years (captivity)
Litter or clutch size[26] 3
Gestation or incubation[27] 43 days
Female maturity[28] 365 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[22] Carnivore
Active[29] nocturnal
Migration[30] non-migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[31]

  • 100% warm-blooded vertebrates

When to look for it

The Black-footed Ferret is nocturnal, which means it is active at night[32][29]. NatureServe lists it as a non-migrant[30]. On GBIF, most records fall in August, September and November[33]. These records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[33].

January: 46 recordsJanFebruary: 36 recordsFebMarch: 36 recordsMarApril: 42 recordsAprMay: 49 recordsMayJune: 40 recordsJunJuly: 50 recordsJulAugust: 80 recordsAugSeptember: 60 recordsSepOctober: 51 recordsOctNovember: 58 recordsNovDecember: 40 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[33].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January46
February36
March36
April42
May49
June40
July50
August80
September60
October51
November58
December40

Where to see it

This species is protected or at risk, so we show its range only at the state level. We do not publish parks, nesting, spawning or wintering sites.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado, Missouri, Arizona[34]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Black-footed Ferret endangered?
Yes. It is listed as Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it Critically Imperiled worldwide[2].
Where does the Black-footed Ferret live?
NatureServe lists it as native in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming[3]. It lives in open grassland and shrub steppe[20][21].
What does the Black-footed Ferret eat?
It is a meat-eater, and prairie dogs are an important food[22][23]. It probably also eats ground squirrels, cottontail rabbits and deer mice when needed[23].
How big is a Black-footed Ferret?
A typical one is about 57 cm (22 in) long and weighs about 633 g[24][25].
How long does a Black-footed Ferret live?
The longest recorded lifespan was in captivity, and it is a record, not a typical lifespan[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Black-footed ferret has the status Endangered, listed March 11, 1967 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Wherever found, except where listed as an experimental population. States in the listed range: Colorado, Kansas, Montana,... USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Black-footed Ferret: G1 (Critically Imperiled). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Black-footed Ferret as native in 9 US states and territories: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming. NatureServe Explorer
  4. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 9.4 years in captivity. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  5. Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) is a mammal in the family Mustelidae, order Carnivora. NatureServe Explorer
  6. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Black-footed ferret has the status Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed October 30, 2015 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Wyoming Experimental Population Area - U.S.A. (most of WY). States in the listed range:... USFWS ECOS
  7. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Black-footed ferret has the status Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed August 18, 1994 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: [Conata Basin/Badlands Reintroduction Area NEP] - U.S.A. (parts of SD). USFWS ECOS
  8. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N1 (Critically Imperiled). NatureServe Explorer
  9. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 250 to 1000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  10. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix I (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  11. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Black-footed ferret has the status Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed May 16, 2003 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Rosebud Sioux Reservation Experimental Population Area - U.S.A. (parts of SD). USFWS ECOS
  12. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Black-footed ferret has the status Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed October 13, 2000 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reintroduction Area - U.S.A. (parts of SD). USFWS ECOS
  13. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Black-footed ferret has the status Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed August 21, 1991 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: [Shirley Basin/Medicine Bow Management Area NEP] - U.S.A. (parts of WY). USFWS ECOS
  14. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Black-footed ferret has the status Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed October 1, 1998 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Northwestern Colorado/Northeastern Utah Experimental Population Area - U.S.A. (parts of CO,... USFWS ECOS
  15. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Black-footed ferret has the status Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed March 20, 1996 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: Southwest Experimental Population Area - U.S.A. (parts of AZ, NM, UT). USFWS ECOS
  16. Under the US Endangered Species Act, Black-footed ferret has the status Experimental Population, Non-Essential, listed August 18, 1994 (USFWS ECOS). Listed entity: [Northcentral Montana Reintroduction Area NEP] - U.S.A. (parts of MT). USFWS ECOS
  17. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Endangered. NatureServe Explorer
  18. NatureServe ranks Black-footed Ferret as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas. NatureServe Explorer
  19. NatureServe state ranks for Black-footed Ferret (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  20. Habitat types NatureServe records for Black-footed Ferret: Grassland/herbaceous. NatureServe Explorer
  21. NatureServe notes on habitat for Black-footed Ferret. NatureServe Explorer
  22. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore. NatureServe Explorer
  23. NatureServe notes on food for Black-footed Ferret. NatureServe Explorer
  24. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 57 cm (22 in). NatureServe Explorer
  25. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 633 g (22.3 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  26. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 3. AnAge
  27. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 43 days. AnAge
  28. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 365 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  29. Activity time in EltonTraits 1.0: nocturnal. EltonTraits 1.0
  30. NatureServe migration category for Black-footed Ferret: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  31. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 100% warm-blooded vertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  32. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Nocturnal. NatureServe Explorer
  33. GBIF observation records of Black-footed Ferret in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  34. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Black-footed Ferret: Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado, Missouri, Arizona. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.