How is it that ferrets can bend so well?

The flexibility of a ferret is due to several anatomical features working in conjunction with each other:

Elongated Body: Ferrets have long and slender bodies, allowing them to fit through small spaces and contort their bodies into various positions.

Flexible Spine: Their spine is highly flexible, consisting of loosely attached vertebrae that permit extreme lateral bending and twisting movements. This attribute enables them to turn their heads almost 180 degrees.

Double-jointed Legs: Ferrets possess double joints in their legs, particularly at their elbows and knees. These joints provide exceptional flexibility and allow the limbs to bend in unusual angles, aiding in their climbing and maneuvering capabilities.

Lack of Clavicle: Unlike most other mammals, ferrets lack clavicles (collarbones). The absence of these bones provides greater freedom of movement in their shoulders, contributing to their overall flexibility.

Loose Skin: The skin of ferrets is loosely connected to the underlying muscles and bones, allowing it to stretch and move without hindering their agility. This feature further facilitates their ability to contort their bodies.

It's a combination of these anatomical traits, along with their slender build, that allows ferrets to display such remarkable flexibility, making them adept climbers and skillful escape artists.