33-1 (06)
release dates: August 12-18
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Distributed by Universal Press Syndicate
© 2006 The Mini Page Publishing Company Inc.
By BETTY DEBNAM
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam © 2006 The Mini Page Publishing Company Inc.
A “Tail” of Hope!
Black-Footed
Ferret
The black-footed ferret is a rare,
mysterious animal. For many years
scientists believed it was extinct.
But then, 25 years ago, there was a
wonderful discovery: Some blackfooted ferrets had survived.
Although it is still one of the most
endangered animals in the world,
experts now hope they can bring it
back from the edge of extinction.
photo by Travis LiVieri, courtesy Black-footed Ferret Rediscovery Committee
Ferrets in the wild
The discovery
photo by Travis LiVieri, courtesy Blackfooted Ferret Recovery Program
In 1981, a ranch dog named Shep
found a strange animal
near Meeteetse, Wyo. When
he brought the dead animal
to his owners, they were
amazed. They had never
seen an animal like it before and they
started asking scientists what it was.
When experts learned a black-footed
ferret had been found, they searched
the area until they discovered a colony
of 139 of them. But the experts were
alarmed when half the ferrets died from
disease within a year. Five years later,
there were only 18 left. Scientists
decided the best way to save this
animal was to try to breed it in captivity.
Black-footed ferrets usually have only one
litter a year, with about three “kits” (baby
ferrets) per litter.
A black-footed ferret pops out of its
burrow in a captive breeding center. This
animal has black feet, a black tip on its tail
and what looks like a black mask. It is
about 2 feet long, including its tail, and
weighs about 21/2 pounds.
Scientists hope that by 2010 there
will be enough black-footed ferrets
surviving in the wild that they can be
taken off the endangered list.
To be upgraded from endangered to
threatened, there need to be at least
10 different colonies of black-footed
ferrets, with a total of at least 1,500
breeding adults.
Today there are about 660 adult
black-footed ferrets living in the wild.
Although many more were released,
life is dangerous for ferrets, even in
protected areas. Disease kills many,
and enemies such as coyotes, owls,
badgers, bobcats and hawks also
kill them.
Black-footed ferrets have an
average lifespan of two years in
the wild. Not all are able to have
young.
The breeding program
Scientists discovered that the
situation was even worse than they
had thought. Of the 18 surviving
black-footed ferrets, only
two males and five
females could reproduce.
Scientists began a
careful breeding program.
Ten years after Shep found the dead
ferret, scientists were able to release
2,000 black-footed ferrets into special
areas in the wild.
Scientists have started black-footed ferret
colonies in Montana, South Dakota,
Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and
Mexico. They plan to set up colonies in
Canada in 2007. Many government
agencies and Indian tribes are working to
save the black-footed ferret.
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33-2 (06); release dates: August 12-18
Distributed by Universal Press Syndicate
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam © 2006 The Mini Page Publishing Company Inc.
Some Ferret Relatives
The black-footed ferret’s closest
relative is the Siberian polecat. Its
next closest relatives are the domestic
ferret and the European polecat. These
are the only ferrets in the world.
Black-footed ferrets are also
distant cousins of weasels, otters,
mink, badgers, skunks, fishers and
wolverines.
These animals all can give off
strong odors to scare off enemies or
to mark their territories. Here are
some black-footed ferret cousins:
The otter
Siberian polecat
All types of otters live in or near
bodies of water. They are playful,
sociable animals.
Many live in burrows or dens along
bodies of fresh water such as rivers,
lakes or marshes. Sea otters live in
the Pacific Ocean.
The Siberian, or steppe, polecat is
found in Eastern Europe, China and
Mongolia. It eats small animals such
as mice, rats, birds and fish, as well
as insects and eggs.
It lives in burrows underground,
just as its cousin, the black-footed
ferret, does.
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam © 2006 The Mini Page Publishing Company Inc.
Mini Spy . . .
photo courtesy U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
photo courtesy Ohio Department of Natural Resources
The river otter’s streamlined body and
webbed toes help make it a strong, fast
swimmer.
The badger lives in many habitats, from
mountains to prairies.
The badger is known as a master
digger. Its long claws and powerful
paws let it dig quickly. It digs
burrows to live in, to get to the
animals it wants to eat or to escape
its enemies.
Its strong paws and claws also
enable it to be a fierce fighter.
The weasel
The weasel is such a strong, fast hunter
that it can bring down animals almost as
big as itself. It hunts and eats animals such
as squirrels, mice and birds, including
chickens.
It lives in dens, burrows or other
sheltered areas.
Humans and owls are its top enemies.
TM
Mini Spy and her friends are visiting a ferret in a pet store.
See if you can find: • man in the moon • word MINI
• letter E
• fish
• banana
• eyeglasses
• ring
• mushroom
• number 3
• letter J
• umbrella
• letter D
• mug
• football
• letter A
Brown
Basset ws
The Ned’s
Houn
TM
art courtesy U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The Siberian polecat’s fur is usually tan
or light brown, with a darker tail and
darker paws.
The badger
The
weasel
can
follow
its prey
into
burrows
or dens.
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam © 2006 The Mini Page Publishing Company Inc.
FERRETS
TRY ’N
FIND
Words that remind us of black-footed ferrets are hidden in the block
below. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally. See if you
can find: ANIMAL, EXTINCT, SURVIVE, WYOMING,
ENDANGERED, PRAIRIE, BREED, KIT, LITTER, BURROW,
MASK, TAIL, WILD, DISEASE, OWL, BOBCAT, HAWK,
TERRITORY, NOCTURNAL, DANCE.
B E W L E I R I A R P T A I L
THE BLACKU X B I O V L A N R U T C O N
FOOTED FERRET IS
COMING BACK!
R T K R L E S A E S I D M B B
R I O K E D G S U R V I V E O
O N W I I E W Y O M I N G L B
W C L T M C D L I T T E R N C
V T L A M I N A L K K S A M A
M H A W K Y R O T I R R E T T
E C N A D D E R E G N A D N E
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33-3 (06); release dates: August 12-18
Distributed by Universal Press Syndicate
TM
Go dot to dot and color this
endangered animal.
Rookie Cookie’s Recipe
Summer Squash Casserole
You’ll need:
• 3/4 stick butter, melted
• 2 cups herb-seasoned stuffing mix
• 6 yellow squash, cooked and mashed
• 1 (8-ounce) container light sour cream
• 1 can cream of celery soup
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
What to do:
1. To melt butter, place in a microwave oven for 20 seconds.
2. Remove and spread on the bottom of an 8-by-8-inch casserole dish.
3. Spread a layer of stuffing mix on the bottom.
4. In a large bowl, combine squash, sour cream and soup. Mix well.
5. Pour a layer of squash mixture over stuffing mix.
6. Repeat layers of stuffing mix and squash mixture, ending with
stuffing mix on top. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top.
7. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 30 minutes. Makes 6 servings.
Note: You will need an adult’s help with this recipe.
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam © 2006 The Mini Page Publishing Company Inc.
© 2006 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Meet Brandon Routh
Actor Brandon Routh plays the superhuman
hero in the movie “Superman Returns.” As a
boy, Brandon loved anything about the comic
character Superman. He owned the comic
books and movies, and even wore the pajamas.
Now, as a young man and more than 6 feet
tall, he has what it takes to play the part.
Brandon was an athlete in high school. He played soccer
and was a swimmer. After graduation, he attended the
University of Iowa. During college he joined the Norwalk
Theater of Performing Arts and had roles in many
productions. After one year, he moved to Hollywood to find
work as an actor.
Brandon, 26, was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and grew up
in nearby Norwalk. He plays the piano and trumpet. He
enjoys swimming, biking, reading, and playing soccer and
basketball.
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam © 2006 The Mini Page Publishing Company Inc.
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam © 2006 The Mini Page Publishing Company Inc.
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam © 2006 The Mini Page Publishing Company Inc.
The Mini Page®
E!
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Help for Planet Earth
A popular
resource book
containing
solutions for
problems of
trash, air and
water quality,
and wildlife
habitat.
To order, send $3.00 total cost (includes all postage and handling) for each copy. Send check or money order (U.S. funds only)
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City: _______________________________________________ State: _________ Zip: __________
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All of the following jokes have something in common.
Can you guess the common theme or category?
Howard: How is a garden like a good story?
Henrietta: It has a plot!
Hillary: Horace, you’ve been working in your
garden a long time today. What are you
growing?
Horace: Tired!
Harry: What is the difference between a
laundry man and a gardener?
Hank: One keeps the lawn-dry and the
other keeps the lawn wet!
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33-4 (06); release dates: August 12-18
Distributed by Universal Press Syndicate
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam © 2006 The Mini Page Publishing Company Inc.
Black-footed ferrets
Perhaps you or your friends have
pet ferrets. These ferrets are a different
species than the black-footed ferret.
It is illegal to own an endangered
black-footed ferret, a native of the
North American prairies.
The European, or domestic, ferret
is the kind people have tamed. It no
longer lives in the wild. Experts
believe Romans or Greeks domesticated
it about 2,500 years ago so it would
protect their grain from mice and rats.
The domestic ferret comes in a
wide range of colors and
patterns, ranging from pure
white to black to silver or
brown. It has longer fur than
the black-footed ferret.
The domestic ferret is a playful,
curious animal. The expression “to
ferret something out” comes from
ferrets’ love of investigating things.
Domestic ferrets usually can be
trained to use a litterbox. But they do
require a lot of attention. They need
a chance to play and enjoy people’s
company.
Experts say ferrets usually get along
well with cats and dogs. But they don’t
do well with gerbils, mice or hamsters.
Their instincts are to eat little rodents.
It is illegal to own ferrets in
California and Hawaii, as well as in
many cities. Many experts in these
areas are concerned that if domestic
ferrets escape into the wild, they could
harm native species. Experts say
children should not have pet ferrets
until they are old enough to treat the
ferret gently. If a child squeezes a
ferret too hard, the frightened ferret
might bite the child.
photo by Travis LiVieri, courtesy Black-footed Ferret Recovery Program
photo courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
When they are not with kits, the blackfooted ferret is usually solitary. Each
adult ferret has its own territory within
the colony. They are nocturnal, which
means they usually hunt and play at night.
The prairie dog
Doing the happy dance
The black-footed ferret cannot
survive without the prairie dog. The
prairie dog provides it with:
• 90 percent of its food,
• most of its water,
• a place to live.
The reduced number of prairie
dogs is the main reason the blackfooted ferret is endangered. Prairie
dogs are killed by ranchers, farmers,
development and disease.
A black-footed ferret creeps down
a prairie dog burrow, finds a sleeping
prairie dog and eats it. The ferret
then makes its home in the nowdeserted prairie dog burrow. It may
establish a territory across several
burrows.
The black-footed ferret often does
a little dance, which experts have
nicknamed the “ferret happy dance.”
Domestic
ferrets do a
similar dance.
Ferrets might
do this dance
when they are about to be fed, when
it’s time to play, or at the mouth of
their burrow at sunrise and sunset.
The ferret opens its mouth, wiggles
backward, twists its body a bit and
hops into the air. Kits might run
toward each other and then run
backward.
The Mini Page thanks Linda Iroff,
International Ferret Congress; and Paul
Marinari, biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service in Colorado, for help with this issue.
Site to see: www.blackfootedferret.org
Look through your newspaper for stories
and pictures about animals.
Next week The Mini Page is all about
sharks.
The Mini Page is created and edited by
Betty Debnam
Associate Editors
Tali Denton
Lucy Lien
Staff Artist
Wendy Daley
photo by Linda Iroff
photo by Paul Marinari, courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Finding water is often a problem on the
prairie. Prairie dogs are able to get water
from prairie grasses, but black-footed
ferrets need to eat prairie dogs to get
their water.
A black-footed ferret peeks out of its
burrow. Ferrets stay inside their burrows
for days at a time during the winter.
Pet ferrets
The
domestic
ferret can
live five to
seven years
in the
home.
Please include all of the appropriate registered trademark symbols and copyright lines in any publication of The Mini Page®.
photo by Travis LiVieri, courtesy Black-footed
Ferret Rediscovery Committee
Read all about
black-footed
ferrets
in
®
Distributed by Universal Press Syndicate
by Betty Debnam
Appearing in your
newspaper on ____________.
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam
© 2006 The Mini Page Publishing Company Inc.
(Note to Editor: Above is cameraready, one column-by-41/4-inch ad
promoting Issue 33.)
release dates: August 12-18
33-5 (06)
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam © 2006 The MIni Page Publishing Company Inc.
®
Distributed by Universal Press Syndicate
Standards Spotlight:
Black-Footed Ferret
Mini Page activities meet many state and national educational standards. Each
week we identify standards that relate to The Mini Page’s content and offer
activities that will help your students reach them.
This week’s standards:
• Students understand the characteristics and life cycles of organisms. (Science: Life Science)
• Students understand the interactions of animals and their environments. (Science: Life Science)
Activities:
1. Draw a picture of the black-footed ferret in the middle of a large piece of paper. Draw three large
circles in the space around your picture. In one circle, list the foods ferrets eat. In the second circle,
list the different places ferrets live in the United States. In the third circle, list the different
activities ferrets like to do. Draw a line from each circle to your ferret.
2. Look in newspaper ads for pictures and words about items that you would use for a pet. Look for
items for different kinds of pets. Cut out the pictures and words and use them to make a “Take
Care of Your Pet” collage.
3. Conduct a survey among your family members and friends. Ask them to tell you about what their
pets do to show they are happy or excited. Do the pets have their own versions of the “ferret happy
dance”? Do their pets jump around and wiggle? Make a list of the different actions that pets use to
show they are happy.
4. How do each of these elements contribute to the small number of black-footed ferrets: (a) predators,
(b) reproduction problems, (c) average life span, and (d) finding food and water for survival?
5. Use resource books and the Internet to learn how scientists try to save an endangered species. You
may focus on the black-footed ferret or some other animal. Use these questions to guide your research:
How do scientists collect live animals to breed? Where do they keep the animals? How do they feed
the animals? What do they do to help the animals learn to survive in the wild? How do they
monitor the animals they release so they can keep an accurate count of the animals in the wild?
(standards by Dr. Sherrye D. Garrett, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)
(Note to Editor: Above is the Standards for Issue 33.)
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam © 2006 The Mini Page Publishing Company Inc.
TM
Supersport: Katie Douglas
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175
Birthdate: 5-7-79
Hometown: Indianapolis
Katie Douglas arrived at the Women’s National Basketball
Association All-Star event with a game that glittered. Then
she outshone all the league’s other top players in the annual
summer classic. She scored 16 points, rebounded, defended, and won the
Most Valuable Player award while helping her East team beat the West.
Douglas also shines for the WNBA Connecticut Suns. The versatile
forward is enjoying her best year as a pro, averaging a career-high 16.2
points. She also is one of the premier defensive players in the league.
Before turning pro six years ago, Douglas was a two-time All-American
at Purdue, where she majored in communications and public relations.
Her college years also were filled with sadness. Both her mother and
father died while she was a student. Though gripped with grief, she
persevered through the tough times and won a Comeback of the Year
award, along with the All-America honors.
Douglas enjoys other sports as well and is an avid shopper. But she is
at her best on the court, showing her all-star style.
(Note to Editor: Above is copy block for Page 3, Issue 33, to be
used in place of ad if desired.)
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