by Lynda Chitwood

Created on: February 13, 2009   Last Updated: March 06, 2009

Have you ever known someone who just always has a sunny disposition, no matter what? Someone who just stumbles and bumbles around life's obstacles with such happy-go-lucky enthusiasm that you are sure there's something wrong them? At the same time you are amused and slightly envious of them?

That is just a taste of what life around a ferret is like. Holding one is like holding a furry snake and watching one is far more entertaining than any T.V. show or comedy movie. They will steal your cell phone, T.V. remote, DVD's, or anything else they can get their furry little jaws around. They will also steal your heart, guaranteed.

PHYSICAL

From Wikipedia: The ferret is a domestic mammal of the type Mustela putorius furo.
That simply means they are related to skunks, weasels, badgers and otters. They closely resemble both weasels and otters, though smaller, and with different color variations. They come in white, brown, black and grey, with many combinations of those colors. Unlike their cousins mentioned above, ferrets are not wild animals, having been domesticated for 2500 years.

Ferrets have a scent gland, similar to a skunk, with which they release an odor when they are excited. In the U.S a ferret must be spayed or neutered and have this scent gland removed, in order to be sold legally. They still have a slight musky odor to their skin, which some find pleasant, while others abhor.

Ferrets have an elongated head, somewhat pointed nose and mouthful of sharp teeth. Because they are carnivores, they have sharp canines, capable of sinking into flesh if necessary. Excited ferrets will gnash their teeth, but despite the terrifying appearance, they are harmless. With the possible exception of terribly abused ferret, this baring of teeth is just a show!

Appearance and scent is a subjective thing. Some people think they are cute and cuddly, and smell somewhat like honey, while others view them as large, smelly rodents. (They are not rodents.)

BEHAVIOR

As mentioned above, an excited ferret will bare its sharp teeth. This might look scary, but it is usually accompanied by what is known as the "Weasel War Dance" which is so comical, it negates any ferocity implied by the teeth. They arch up their backs and hop around, oblivious to anything around them. In a room with obstacles, they will bounce off of one thing after another, their excitement escalating until they are at battle with whole room and their owners are rolling with laughter.

In the ferret's scientific name, the last

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