Understanding Ferret Colors

Ferrets sport various interesting colors and patterns on the basis of which they can be easily classified. Different shades of ferret colors are visible in predominantly four parts of the ferret's body namely the upper coat of hair, the underlying layer, the eyes and the nose. Ferret colors are scattered and smeared in various formats across these parts, and the resultant combination is known as a ferret pattern. The American Ferret Association has classified ferrets on the basis of colors and patterns. Eight major classifications have been developed by them. They are:

Black Ferrets: These have jet black outer coats and a white under coat with a hint of gold. Eyes as well as noses of these ferrets are essentially black in color.

Black Sable Ferrets: Predominantly, a blackish brown shade is visible in these. They sport a shiny lustrous outer coat which is black, brown or ash. The underlying white and cream colored coat is a superb contrast to the outer one. They have dark brownish or black eyes.

Cinnamon Ferrets: These are characterized with their reddish hues and brick red or pink colored T shaped nose. The outer fur bears reddish brown shades and the inner coat has a hint of gold. Eyes are either red or light.

Champagne Ferrets: These ferrets are represented by their chocolate colored outer fur and light brown or beige colored T shaped nose. The eyes are light red and the inner coat is white.

Albino Ferrets: Albino ferrets are practically colorless. The outer and inner coats are white. They are characterized by a pink nose and red eyes.

Sable Ferrets: These are mostly brown in color. Apart from the underlying layer of fur which is white, the outer coat, the T shaped nose and the eyes, all bear shades of brown.

Dark-eye white Ferrets: As the name suggests, these are cuddly white ferrets with red eyes and a pink nose

Chocolate Ferrets: The outer coat is deep chocolate and goes very well with the white inner coat. The nose could be either pink or beige and the color of the eyes varies between red and brown

The above mentioned ferret colors are representative of official classifications of ferrets.