- In the wild, ferrets are crepuscular, meaning that they are most active at dawn and dusk. This means they are sleeping through most of the day and night, which is why pet ferrets sleep approximately 14-18 hours per day.
Pet Ferrets:
- Pet ferrets generally follow the sleep-wake cycle of their owners. They are most active during the evening and may continue to play or explore during the night. However, they still require a lot of sleep and will typically sleep for extended periods throughout the day.
- Ferrets are also known for having "dead sleep" episodes, which can last for several hours. During dead sleep, ferrets are completely unresponsive and may appear to be in a deep trance. This is a normal part of their sleep cycle and should not be a cause for concern.
Conclusion:
Ferrets sleep so much because it's a natural part of their biology and their wild ancestors were crepuscular. Pet ferrets may adjust their sleep schedule to match their owners, but they still require significant amounts of sleep. Dead sleep episodes are also normal for ferrets and should not be a cause for concern.