From: hartman@dewey.udel.edu (Nancy Hartman)
Subject: Re: Origin of Ferrets
Organization: University of Delaware, Newark
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 05:49:50 GMT

In article <1992Jul20.182243.29778@bwdls61.bnr.ca> clewis@bwdlh118.bnr.ca (Chris Lewis) writes:

>As far as domestic ferrets in the wild: there are *NO* wild colonies of
>Mustela Putorious Furo anywhere in the world.  Attempts have been made,
>most notably in New Zealand, to purposely introduce them but these attempts
>have all failed.  Most certainly, "pet grade" ferrets are unable to
>survive in the wild on their own - they will starve and dehydrate and
>die within days.  Even hunting ferrets are not likely to be able to
>survive without man providing them shelter, food and water.

Not only do ferrets not exist in the wild now, they *NEVER* did!  They
were bred by man from uncertain anscestors, as Chris said, most likely the
european polecat and maybe the steppe polecat.

Ferrets have in fact been domestic for such a long period of time that
they have little to no instinctive knowledge how to find food.  

The original poster should tell her mother to do her homework before 
making rash judgements!!!  If her mother actually convinces a ferret
owner that the ferret would be much "happier" in the wild, then she will
have the death of that ferret on her head.  A cruel death at that, one 
of hunger, dehydration, and exposure!

>Thus, ferrets *are* domestic animals.  Less perhaps than dogs, but just as
>much as cats, and considerably more so than many other animals that we
>wouldn't consider to be a wild animal if we saw them in a pet store.

Cats???  Ferrets are much more domestic than cats!  Cats can go feral
at the drop of a hat, with ferrets it's an impossibility.  Ferrets have
been selectively bred to enhance the line since ancient egyptian times,
cat breeding usually goes no further than "Oh, look, Fluffy's going to
have kittens again.  I hope it was that adorable long haired male down
the block..."  (Before all the responsible cat owners on the net get mad,
I realize that this is not always the case, but sadly it is the case
the vast majority of the time.)  And all you have to do is spend the
day at a vet or shelter to see how much cats love and trust humans,
they are transformed from a cute cuddly pet to a screaming dervish of
claws and fangs.  Yes, that is a stressful situation and not their
normal behavior, but I have yet to see a ferret get anywhere near the
aggressive extremes that a cat does, even in a stressful situation.

I do *NOT* dislike cats, I even plan on getting one when my living
arrangements will allow it.  I also think that cats are definately
"domestic".  I simply make the comparison to show that ferrets
are also domestic.  I think I agree with Chris, dogs may be more 
domestic simply due to their pack nature.  But dogs will form feral
communities where ferrets will not.

- Nancy

Disclaimer:  These are my own opinions, and may not reflect the opinions
of the AFA or the Delaware Valley Ferret Club membership.

-- 
Nancy Hartman					CIS graduate student
hartman@udel.edu				U. of Delaware
        President and founder, Delaware Valley Ferret Club
                      Owner of Percy & Bree
Newsgroups: rec.pets