[exDemMom]

I doubt it is toxic in the small amount contained in an M&M.

I do not know why both species (ferrets and prairie dogs) would be considered pests. Since the ferrets eat the prairie dogs, doesn’t that make them anti-pests?

[oldvirginian]

Ferrets being carnivorous, I doubt they limit their diet to prairie dogs.
I’m sure that other wildlife is on the menu as well as CHICKENS.

Never seen it myself but I have read of ferrets wiping out an entire chicken coop but only consuming one bird.

I expect they’re hell on small dogs, puppies and cats as well.

Hopefully someone with more direct knowledge will jump in.

[kitchen]

I do not know why both species (ferrets and prairie dogs) would be considered pests.

Both are hosts to the fleas that spread bubonic plague. There's a reason people have been trying to eradicate them for the last century.

[SJackson]

I do not know why both species (ferrets and prairie dogs) would be considered pests.

Plague among other things. And the dog holes are a threat to hoofed livestock. They are cute.