My Ferret and the Fish Tank

[starsplitter7]

My ferret Rascal lives up to his name. I actually watched a Giant Danio bite his tongue this evening. Rascal has 5 water bottles and dishes in his cage. Outside the cage there are three dishes of water scattered around the house. But Rascal prefers fish water, even dirty fish water. He jumps in the bathtub to drink the water. The cats like dirty fish water, but don't usually jump on the tank to get it.

Caught in the Act


Any water is better than the 5 bottles and dishes of water in my cage


From a Fish Eye’s Perspective -- the mollies, Giant Danios, Rainbows and Butterfly have the most objection.


Snorkeling (Every ferret I have owned "snorkels" -- puts his nose under water when drinking.)




"I can't believe he is sticking his nose in our water."




Done Drinking, heading back to the cage. (I have to make sure the mesh goes back since the tank has an African Butterfly and eels.)


Rascal’s cage is 5’ tall. He scales up and down the back bracing himself against the wall. Sorry about the mess. Notice the water bottles and water dishes. He still jumps 8” to the 55 gallon, pulls up the craft mesh I have covering the holes near the filter, and then does his snorkeling.

[palaeodave]

Great pictures! Our cats are similar but they've never stuck their face in so far!

[Jim Powers]

That is hilarious!!!
I'm surprised that he didn't grab a little fish snack in the process!!

[starsplitter7]

I don't even know if Rascal knows there's fish in the tank, but he doesn't have any predatorial instincts unless you include the occasional cereal box or granola bar. Ferrets are obligate carnivores and can't digest fiber, and yet his favorite food is cereal, and it is a full time job keeping him out of the cereal. He also steals Hikari wafers and shrimp pellets? I think that's simply because they aren't his.

Whereas he doesn't bother the fish at all, the fish are not at all happy about his excursions into their tank. I watch him very carefully, because if he fell in the tank, eventually he would drown. He can swim, but not forever.

Dave, now you should post a picture of your cat drinking from the tank.

This is a wonderful ferret: friendly, funny, athletic, curious, crazy and extremely smart.

[Emma Turner]

Well captured photos, Tanja! Rascal looks to be extremely mischievous!

Emma

[Graeme Robson]

Interesting!!

[Crissyloach]

Ha! I love it! So cute, and great photos T!


My cats drink fish water- I now need to lay a towel over them, tape the opening, or keep plasic wrap over the gaps. I found a dried up ADF on the floor last week. I am surprised my cats didn't find him first.

[starsplitter7]

I use plastic craft mesh. Easy to get the right shapes, very cheap, . . . but the ferret pulls it up for a drink. I just replace it.

I find ADF around the house. So far in time. My cats usually show me.

Thank you everyone for looking and responding. I just thought the pictures were pretty cute.

[wasserscheu]

I found those photos highly entertaining and interesting. Thanks for sharing with us. A long time ago, I also had ferrets in mind, even checked the animal shelter already.

[starsplitter7]

Ferrets are the best. They do better if you get two or more. And as you can see -- fish compatible.

[Crissyloach]

I would get some myself, but there is no more space!! Trust me- I would!!

[Rusty]

Ever tried putting dirty fish water in his bottle?

[starsplitter7]

He wouldn't drink it from his bottle. It is the adventure that he likes. I bought him a new bag of food, and he wouldn't touch it. Then I found him dragging the bag across the room, and he had dug a hole in the side and was eating the pieces as they dropped. Then it was good. Anything he can steal is better than what he has.

[Rusty]

Ah, sounds like a ferret.

Has he been stealing your eggs yet? Ferrets simply love chicken eggs.

[starsplitter7]

He isn't much of a thief, except he loves cereal and granola. I'll hear the cabinets bonk, then there's a fleeting tail and he runs across the room with a granola bar in his mouth. Other than that he keeps his hobbies to creating havok.