The Black-Footed Ferret is a small mustelid native to the grasslands of North America. They are about 33 centimeters in length and typically around one kilogram in weight. The Black-Footed Ferret is mostly black (hence the name), but has a white stripe running from its nose to its tail tip, giving it an appearance similar to that of a Skunk or weasel. It's eyes are yellow and ears black, and while it does have webbed feet they do not aid them while hunting, rather they use their sense of smell and hearing to locate prey and pounce on them.
The Black-Footed Ferret is very elusive and shy, only really coming out at night when ferrets can see to 20 meters underground due to the lack of light. Their preferred method of hunting is to sit above ground level in a burrow or grass tussock and wait for their prey, typically Prairie Dogs (hence the name). Black-Footed Ferrets are carnivorous creatures that will eat small rodents such as mice and voles, but prefer to eat Prairie Dogs. They will also eat insects if they can catch them; however it is likely that they do not see many insects due to their nocturnal nature.
The Black-Footed Ferret has short legs relative to its body size, so when chasing prey across open ground it cannot run after its prey at high speeds like other mustelids. Instead it chases underground through tunnels made by pocket gophers.
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