Mother's Day Coupon
Mother's Day is May 8th (that's just a little over three weeks away!). You can save $3.00 on women's T-shirts, totebags, and barbecue aprons with the coupon code:
MUM05
Choose from any of the great designs at these shops:
Items from these shops all go into the same shopping cart for your convenience.
Amy's Designs also has many other animal-themed designs. PowerDesigns has all kinds of different types of designs. You'll be able to find exactly the thing your mom will love!
This coupon code is valid until April 26, 2005.
Why Do Ferrets Sniff Each Other's Butts?
By Bob Church
Watch carefully, and you will notice ferrets sniff three different areas, the neck, the ears, and the butt. Each font of odor is probably unique enough to use scent to identify the individual, but I suspect ferrets seem more interested in the butt because that location is the source of the ferret's calling cards. Ferrets simply sniff the butt to learn the identity of the other ferret.
Ferrets, like all carnivores, have two small anal sacs (right next to the pooper shooter) that squeeze out a little scent each time the ferret does a do-do. This is not intentional; the glands are compressed each time the anal sphincter is mechanically dilated during defecation, so you don't have the same effect as when the ferret poofs [uses the scent glands as a defense mechanism, like a skunk]. Ferrets are extremely territorial, and these scent-covered feces are used to mark the boundaries of an individual's home turf. Now you know why ferrets want to poop in so many different corners; corners define the boundaries of a rectangular room.
Additionally, scent is smeared on the ground after the do-do is done. Some people suggest butt-dragging is designed to clean away doody, but it is actually meant to wipe anal sac scent on the ground near the latrine to intensify territorial marking. If you want to believe ferrets do it to keep clean, that's fine, but what they are really doing is putting up a signpost telling all alien ferrets of the same sex to keep out. You may have noticed a general rule is for male ferrets to fight males, and female ferrets to fight females (it is sometimes confusing with neutered animals). This is because ferrets are same-sex territorial exclusionists. They allow the opposite sex into their territory without much fuss (sex is everything), but tear into those of the same sex in an effort to drive them away. If you have a couple of males (or females) and want to add a third, but are afraid of fighting, add a female (or male), and the fighting should be short-lived.
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These are core instincts that cannot be changed, so even if a ferret is descented, other ferrets will still try to use the anal sac source for identification, and the descented ferret will still try to use their glands for territorial marking, visiting all your corners and dragging their butt afterwards. Ferrets will also sniff the booty in order to discover the sexual state of an individual (if they are in rut or heat), but with neutered animals, that isn't such a driving force. The "bottom" line is that ferrets will be extremely "nosy" about a new ferret's butt, which I guess is part of their charm.
Bob Church has done extensive research on the habits, history, and physical makeup of ferrets and other mustelids while studying zoo-archeology in Missouri. Bob always has a house full of ferrets and an endless supply of ideas on how to keep them happy and healthy.
This article originally appeared on the Ferret Mailing List (FML) on May 7, 2003. Used with permission.
How To Correctly Restrain Your Ferret
By Bob Church
There is active and passive restraint. Passive restraint is basically getting the ferret to forget what is going on by misdirecting its attention elsewhere. For example, a drop or two of Ferrettone, honey, or Nutrical on the ferret's belly will often give you enough time to clip claws or even clean ears (depending on the ferret and its greed for the treat). Cuddling and grooming can also be pretty good distractions. A lot of times, you just have experiment and try different things.
What's Scruffing? Grab the skin at the back of the ferret's neck (scruff). The skin is somewhat loose here, allowing you to hold it between your fingers. Think of a mama cat picking up a kitten. Scruffing does not hurt the ferret. |
Another method is active restraint. The method employs actual physical restraint of the ferret, which has results which vary depending on the temperament and psychological state of the animal. The simplest form of physical restraint is scruffing the ferret, which usually works well for ear cleaning and minor physical and dental exams. Some ferrets, like Tui, are immune to scruffing and it actually makes him angry! He will turn inside his skin and bite you for trying it. For Tui, I simply wrap him up in a towel, making sure I pin his legs, but I have to tell you, towels don't always work. A more drastic approach uses two people; one holds the neck and shoulders firmly with one hand (with the hand above and behind the neck to prevent bites), while the other hand holds the butt area. The second person does the work on the ferret and applies Band-Aids to the ferret holder later.
If you can find a veterinary supply house, you can purchase actual restraints for problem animals (I am thinking of angry fear biters). This is a really good option for large shelters which get in a lot of wild and woolly ferrets. You may not have to buy one; it is possible to look at one in a catalog or at your vet's office, then build a substitute.
This article originally appeared on the Ferret Mailing List (FML) on April 17, 2000. Used with permission.
For more ferret information, check our Topical Index, Newsletter Archives, or order the Super Monster Pack.
--Mary & Eric & Gabby, the lone modern ferret
modernferret.com
