this post was submitted on 04 Apr 2026
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Today I Learned

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[–] blueamigafan@lemmy.world 38 points 3 days ago (1 children)

They were used in aircraft manufacture for years to help run cables through

[–] cannedtuna@lemmy.world 23 points 3 days ago

Ah! So that explains why there are camera and cable tools called ferrets

[–] homes@piefed.world 28 points 3 days ago

This is my new favorite thing about particle accelerators

[–] DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world 24 points 3 days ago (2 children)

They do love tubes, and they can turn around inside them.

https://youtu.be/rrVKtQozvKQ?t=31

[–] tacosanonymous@mander.xyz 19 points 3 days ago (1 children)

When I had my girls, I invested so much money in pipes. It was like futurama in their room. They loved it.

[–] night_petal@piefed.social 5 points 2 days ago

I love ferrets so much. They love playing and are ultra cute. I just wish I could stand the smell.

[–] whelk@retrolemmy.com 2 points 2 days ago

I think I just learned I might have a degree of claustrophobia or something because reading the second part made me suddenly very anxious

[–] otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 days ago

They're professional chimney squeaks, now?

[–] echodot@feddit.uk 4 points 2 days ago

Arr yes, the Kitten Snake

[–] ReluctantMuskrat@lemmy.world 13 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Anyone that's not had the joy of playing with a ferret have missed out.

Yeah but they're more likely to have their Achilles tendons so there's that.

A friend of mine had one, I volunteered to ferret sit when they went on vacation. The ferret was adorable but also hyperactive enough that I never want one for a pet.

[–] SadSadSatellite@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

If I recall correctly, (ignoring that I could look it up right now) I believe ferrets were specifically bred to run cables underground.

Edit: I'm apparently full of shit. That being said, I really appreciate that the wikipedia page has a dropdown section titled Other Uses.

[–] Etterra@discuss.online 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

So, what, they stuck a broom handle up it's butt and used him like a cotton swab? That's pretty fucked up.

don't kink shame the ferret

[–] halloejsovs@lemmy.world 7 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

How has no one made a lemmywinks reference yet?

[–] I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world 20 points 3 days ago

Because lemmywinks was a gerbil. Ferrets aren't even rodents.