Across
- 3. The conservation practice of releasing animals back into their native habitat. Black-footed ferrets have made a comeback thanks to dedicated rewilding efforts.
- 5. A network of underground tunnels. Ferrets treat these like subterranean mansions with built-in food storage.
- 6. A member of the weasel family, including ferrets, otters, and badgers. The black-footed ferret fits right in with its sneaky, noodle-shaped relatives.
- 8. A meat-eater through and through. Salad is not on the menu.
- 9. Distemper A dangerous viral disease that can wipe out ferret populations. Think of it as a villain in their survival story.
Down
- 1. Active at night. While you sleep, black-footed ferrets are out prowling like masked bandits.
- 2. Fragmentation When natural environments get chopped up by roads, farms, and development. The ferret’s prairie home has suffered a bad case of patchwork.
- 4. Dog The ferret’s primary prey and also its landlord. Prairie dog burrows serve as both buffet and bedroom.
- 7. A species at serious risk of extinction. Black-footed ferrets have been clinging to existence like tiny, whiskered superheroes.