Ferret Cope

Object/Artifact

-

Waterperry Museum

Brass ferret cope

Brass ferret cope

Name/Title

Ferret Cope

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.425

Description

Circular brass ferret cope or muzzle to be placed on the nose of the ferret. The pin can be inserted into one of three different holes according to the size of the ferret's head.

Context

Occasionally a ferret decides to remain underground and eat the rabbit it was 'disturbing'. To prevent this happening a poacher could attach a 'cope' or 'muzzle' to the nose of the ferret. Today they are made of leather, as they were occasionally in the past. The metal cope is now considered cruel in case the ferret gets caught on a root underground and could consequently die of starvation if unable to escape.

Category

Game Keepers and Trapping

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Source or Donor

Gordon Dempster

Acquisition Method

Transfer

Dimensions

Circumference

90 mm

Weight

3 g

Material

Brass, Metal

Location

* Untyped Location

C4 2

Condition

Overall Condition

Good