< > APPEARANCE/ MORPHOLOGY: HEAD AND NECK with literature reports for the Ferret - Mustela putorius furo: Use sub-contents list below, or simply scroll down the page to view findings.

HEAD AND NECK - Editorial Comment

Editorial Comment

GENERAL HEAD STRUCTURE:
Adult: The head is twice as long as wide, with a short facial region and short rounded ears.
Newborn: The ears are closed at birth. 

DENTITION:
Adult: The dental formula is I 3/3, C 1/1, P 3/3, M 1/2 x2 = 34. Supernumerary incisors are common.
Newborn: Deciduous dentition I 4/3, C 1/1 P 3/3 x2 = 30.

EYES:
Adult: The eyes are relatively small.
Newborn: The eyes are closed at birth. 

(References are available in detailed literature reports below)

General Head Structure

Adult

• 'The head is twice as long as wide, with a short facial region and short rounded ears. (B627.2.w2)
• The jaws are short and powerful, with the lower jaw narrower than the upper jaw. There is a flange on the articular fossa of the temporomandibular joint, which prevents jaw dislocation when the ferret opens its mouth widely. (B232.1.w1)
• The ears are fairly small and usually kept close to the head. (B631.17.w17)

Neonate / Young

• The ears are closed at birth. (B651.6.w6)
• Deaf at birth. (B631.17.w17, B651.6.w6)

Dentition

Adult

• The dental formula is I 3/3, C 1/1, P 3/3, M 1/2 x2 = 34. Supernumerary incisors are common.
• Deciduous dentition I 4/3, C 1/1 P 3/3 x2 = 30.

Adult: 

• The dental formula is i 3/3, c 1/1, pm 3/3, m 1/2 x2 = 34. (B595, B631.17.w17) 
• Ferrets possess only three premolars, not four as in other Carnivora. (B627.2.w2)
• In common with other Mustelidae - Weasels (Family), incisors are unspecialised (B595). 
• As with other Carnivora - Carnivores (Order), upper and lower canine teeth are long (B627.2.w2). 

• Supernumerary incisors are common. (B232.1.w1, B627.11.w11)

• Small incisors and long canines. (B232.1.w1)

• The roots of the canines are longer than the crowns. (B232.1.w1, B602.1.w1)

• All three lower premolars and the first two upper premolars have two roots, while the third upper premolar and the first upper molar (carnassials) have three roots. The small second lower molar has only one root. (B602.1.w1)

• Third upper premolar and first lower molar are carnassial teeth; these and the upper molar have three roots each. The lower second molar, very small, has only one root; the other premolars have two roots each. (B232.1.w1)

Neonate / Young

• The deciduous dentition is i 4/3, c 1/1, M 3/3, with teeth erupting at 3 - 4 weeks. (B595)
• Deciduous dentition I 4/3, C 1/1 P 3/3 x2 = 30, erupting at 2 - 4 weeks. (B232.1.w1)

Eyes

Adult

• Eyes relatively small. (B631.17.w17)
• The eyes are forward facing. (B602.1.w1)

Neonate / Young

• Eyes closed at birth (B627.8.w8)
• Eyes closed at birth.  (J495.21.w5)
• Weaned by six weeks. (J495.21.w5)
• Fur present at about nine days and a good coat by five weeks. (B651.6.w6)
• A good covering of white hair by 10 days. (B652.7.w7)
• Eyes closed at birth. (B651.6.w6)