Have any of you folks ever used a ferret in a magic show? I am considering using a ferret instead of a rabbit in the circus wagon. Any advice?

Mike

Mike,

If you will use the search function on The Café, there is information here. Also contact Ricker here on The Café and see how much info you two can trade. I think Ricker makes props for using the ferrets.

(I do know that when I have the good fortune of visiting Rick and Syd, I find that their three ferrets are "self-loading" magicians' helpers. LOL)

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Some states, such as California, have laws banning the ownership of ferrets.

Hey Mike,

I've used ferrets in my act for a few years, actually in a circus wagon. I don't do it anymore, just because I've changed my act.

If loaded just a few minutes before the routine, there shouldn't be a problem. They are extremely quiet, BUT they are fidgety and can find a way out of anything.. so make sure there is a treat or two in there for him/her.

I used to use the old circus clown music and made quite a hilarious routine out of it. Plus you get such a great reaction.

Good Luck.. and as magi said, they are illegal in some states, being in NJ though, they are not.

Justin David

Wow, I have to say (sorry if I sound uneducated) that I have never heard of using ferrets in magic...

Are they easily trained?

Thanks,

Tanner

Well, you can get them to go from point A to point B....but trainable? It sure wouldn't hurt to try! I'd go clicker method and see what happens.
I'm picturing otters at Sea World.

Lol.

Actually ferrets are very VERY trainable.. especially to go through obstacle courses and what not.. i.e. jumping through small hoops.. running up and down things.. fetching. etc.

As for sitting still.. next to impossible. Food is an amazing remedy.

See! Otters! Sea Otters!

They gotta be related down the line somewhere.

My ferrets (actually ferrets are just weasels with an uppity attitude), only kept still when they were exhausted and just dropped where they were and fell asleep. Holding them in loads works fair if it is a bag like load, and dark and warm. But as said above, a ferret will figure a way out of almost anything and it doesn't take much space for them to squeeze through. I once produced one, set it down on a table, it immediately lept to the floor and ran up the pants leg of the the man from the audience who was assisting me. Got a great laugh, especially with the dance the audience volunteer did, but was the last time my ferret made an appearance in the act.

Many years ago I debated between a ferrets or a
monkey to add to the show, well the monkey won.


Maro