"We don't have wild mink/weasels here, so therefore this small animal must be a domestic ferret."

What if we told you that this statement is potentially incorrect- nearly all of North America is home to species of small native mustelids!

Small wild mustelids, such as mink & long tailed weasels, are native to most of the US- and these are the two species that may be most commonly mistaken for domestic ferrets. Be sure to check and see what wild mustelids are native to your state! Don't rule out a wild mustelid ID without checking.