lost ferret-survival

Question
Our ferret escaped by clawing through a screen door. It's was in the evening and he was probably outside for about an hour before we figured out that he escaped outside and was not hiding in the house.
1. How long could he survive in the wild? Right now, temps range from 50's to 80's.
2. How far would he travel?
3. Would he be active at day or night?
We live in a rural area and houses are not close. There's lots of open fields, some cut, some with waist high weeds, some fields of hay, and some small woods. Any search tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


Answer
Hi Joe and thanks for writing -

1.  A few days. It's very important to find him as soon as possible. The temperature is working in your favor if it doesn't get into the mid-80's for very long. Ferrets cannot fend for themselves, however, and he will eventually get very hungry and thirsty. He is also the target of possible predators.

2.  It's hard to say. He could be very close, he could be a few miles away. It depends on how active and healthy he is. You need to search as wide an area as you can.

3.  He would be active at all times until he gets tired from hunger.

Bring a shakey (like maracas) or squeaky toy or some other toy or sound source that he responds to. I make sure my ferrets know how to respond to a squeaky rubber duck in case of just this type of situation. It's just plain hard work at this point walking around covering your whole area shaking or squeaking the toy and looking for him, which you need to embark on immediately and do continuously as long as you can.

You need to enlist the help of other people in the area as well. I have no idea what your area is like but you need to put up signs, wherever it would be appropriate, and as many as you can, with a big clear photo of the ferret if possible (hopefully you took some - this is another just-in-case precaution). Call anyone and everyone....nearest neighbors, the police, the local animal shelter.

Here are some very helpful websites that will give you more details and ideas about what to do:

http://www.geocities.com/lostferrets/

http://www.ferrets.ca/files/TipstoFindaLostFerretFactSheet.pdf

http://www.ferretnews.com/issues/ferret-news-70.html

http://www.weaselwords.com/page/ferret_art039.php

Stay calm and be persistent. Your ferret may simply just walk right up to your front door. It has happened. Good luck to you and let me know what happens.

DG