Ferret Christmas Songs CD

  You'll have to see it (er... hear it) to believe it! The Ferret Christmas Songs CD:

Ferret Christmas Songs CD

  What ferret owners hasn't thought about singing Christmas songs replacing "ferret" for "Christmas" or other words ("Hark! The ferret angels sing...")? Maybe you've even sung the songs like that -- or wrote them down. I sure have. Well, now we don't have to make up these songs on our own. The Ferret Christmas Songs CD is a must-have for any ferret owner.

How Do We Know Ferrets Are Domesticated?

By Bob Church

  The question is difficult because most American and Canadian ferrets are not the animals seen in other countries. Yes, they are the same species, but because of American and Canadian practices of early neutering, early removal from littermates and mother, and various aspects of diet, caging, and boredom, the behaviors of American and Canadian ferrets have been impacted to such an extent that they may not be comparable to the species as a whole.

  The skeletal morphology of American and Canadian ferrets, which is significantly impacted by diet, caging time, activity levels, neutering, and many other factors, is likewise unreliable. These differences are so profound, I distrust any conclusions (including my own!) based only on skeletal differences in American and Canadian ferrets compared to those of European ferrets, much less polecats.

  Most reports of physical neoteny (the retention of juvenile characteristics in the adult animal) are exaggerated, especially those that suggest the physical neoteny of ferrets is comparable to that seen in dogs. There is some minor neoteny in general, but the differences are not statistically significant. This means that although individual ferrets may display profound physical neoteny, within the population of ferrets as a whole, those individuals are rare. Physical neoteny is significantly impacted by the neutering, diet, and activity levels, making any conclusions based on American and Canadian ferrets suspect.

  Remember, ferrets were domesticated for other reasons than most animals (as dependable food sources) or dogs, and that history has a significant influence on any change seen in the animal. Because of this, making a list [of characteristics and reasons that support the fact that ferrets are domesticated] is unwise because it allows anti-ferret people with little regard for truth, or a lack of abilities to understand statistic analysis, to point at individual ferrets and make claims they are wild or, at best, "semi-domesticated." Never trust the best intentions of the obtuse or duplicitous.

  To be considered domesticated, an animal doesn't have to have significant physical or behavioral changes compared to their wild progenitors. The only requirements to be considered fully domesticated are:

1. Human control of breeding.

2. Some type of benefit to humans (companionship, food, protection, fiber, etc.).

3. At least one change in the behavior or physical characteristics of the animal.

  Ferrets have met those requirements for the last 2500 years. Those "scientists" that think domestication is defined by a wide range of physical changes only prove they are not the sharpest pencil in the box.

  Ferrets are much like cats in that domestication has not had a significant impact on their physical characteristics. The reason is related to why both animals were domesticated in the first place -- to hunt down and/or kill rodents. For this, you don't need significant physical changes; all you need is an animal that does the job as it was designed by nature to do. The only thing you really want is for the animal to get along better with each other and humans compared to their solitary ancestors. Excluding albinism in ferrets, most breed differences in both ferrets and cats are due to modern breeding practices. But, even without them, ferrets are clearly domesticated.

  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 March 25, 2003. Used with permission.

Did You Know That ...

  Albino ferrets often turn yellow-ish as they age. Our Marshmallow was snow-white when he was a baby -- and even through his younger years. But as he hit about 4 years old, he started getting a bit yellow or golden.

  It's nothing to worry about; it's the natural oils in the ferret's fur that are creating a sort of prism effect. Because albino fur has no pigment, it picks up the color of the oil.

  Our Cauliflower was much yellower than Marshmallow ever was. But Cauli was neutered at nearly one year old (a "late" neuter); Marsh had been neutered as a baby. Also, Cauli was never descented (he still had his anal scent glands), which may or may not contribute to "yellowing."

  Washing your ferret more often will not make a difference; it could even make your albino secrete more oils, making him even yellower! The best thing to do is love your albino no matter what shade of "white" he is.

  A couple of little reminders:

• The sale at FerretDesigns & AmysDesigns is going on until November 16, 2004.

• FerretDesigns and AmysDesigns use the same shopping cart, so you can get all your shopping done in one fell swoop.

• The Super Monster Pack is on sale with a coupon code until November 30, 2004. The coupon works for orders outside the United States (just include the code on your fax or mail order).

  It's getting to be that hectic time of year again, make sure you take time to stop and cuddle with your ferrets. They miss you when you're not there. Really they do!

--Mary, Eric & Gabby (the lone ferret)