Here are a few resources you can use to prove they are not rodents. (I think it's stupid you can't have rodents as pets, anyway.) Also, try the National Geographic's North American animals book. http://www.geobop.com/Mammals/Carnivora/Mustelidae/ http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/part1.html#what_are http://members.tripod.com/ffgmweb/what_is_a_ferret.htm http://home.worldonline.nl/~wfu/ferret.html http://www.ferretguardian.org/f_facts/whatis/whatis.html http://hometown.aol.com/fscottg/index.html You can find great scientific resources even at your public library for this purpose, too. Domestic ferret: Mustela putorius fero Classification: Phylum-Chordata; Class-Mammalia; Order-Carnivora (NOT RODENTIA!); Family: Mustelidae Good luck! Another tidbit that may help Anonymous re: ferret bite (from http://www.ferret.org/read/vaccinations.htm ) Rabies Fact Although there have been fewer than 20 ferrets ever reported rabid in the U.S., the vaccine is safe and efficacious in preventing rabies in ferrets. All ferrets should be vaccinated against rabies. -April AC [Posted in FML issue 3961]