Where Are Ferrets Originally From. Ferrets belong in the genus mustela, in the family mustelidae. Some other mustelids include weasels, otters, badgers, stoats, minks, wolverines, and more.
Ferrets were domesticated about 2,500 years ago. The mustelidae is a vast animal family that includes around 60 species like ferrets, polecats, otters, weasels, stoats, badgers, and martens. A latin name for a ferret is mustela putorius furo.