What jobs did ferrets have in 1905?

In 1905, ferrets were primarily employed for a few specific purposes, largely related to pest control and hunting. They weren't kept as typical household pets like they are today. Their primary "jobs" revolved around their unique ability to navigate and flush out prey from burrows and confined spaces.

One major role for ferrets was in rabbit hunting, often referred to as "ferreting." Ferrets were introduced into rabbit warrens, and their natural hunting instincts would drive rabbits out into the open where they could be captured by nets or other means. This method was widely used, especially in rural areas, as a practical way to control rabbit populations. Additionally, ferrets were sometimes used to control other vermin, like rats, in barns and warehouses. Their agility allowed them to access tight spaces where larger animals could not, making them an effective, albeit low-tech, form of pest control. They were essentially a valuable tool for farmers and landowners.

While not typically thought of as "jobs," it is also worth noting that some ferrets, due to their coat colors, were valued for the fur trade. However, this was not a large scale or "employment" activity for them, it was more of a byproduct. So, when thinking about the tasks ferrets had in 1905, their primary roles were in hunting and pest control, where their natural instincts and agility made them useful partners to humans.

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