Ferrets are the mink-like animals that pop up in movies or on TV every so often.
Pet ferrets are domesticated versions of the European Ferret. They are extraordinarily inquisitive, active, and affectionate. However they never slow down and are particularly unwelcome in houses with lots of breakable objects. They are great pets, but need a great investment of time and affection from their owners. You should not even consider a ferret as a pet unless you are willing to put in a lot more time on them than you would with a dog or a cat.