I had a very sad happening at my house last night.  I came home from work
and prepared the vegetables for our iguana (adult children left it in my
care).  The lizard was missing from it's cage.  I freaked as I searched for
Mrs. Lizard, only to have my worst fears confirmed.  Somehow the poor thing
had gotten out of her house (I must have not secured the prongs).  I have no
idea exactly what happened, but the iguana was laying in the bottom of the
ferret cage - cold and bloody.  The ferrets were not being housed in the
cage, they were free in the house.  It was sickening to see what the ferret
or ferrets had done to her face.  My tiny female, Noodles, had gotten to a
caged rat once and punctured it to death - so I suspect she's the one that
got the lizard.  I just can't imagine my demented raccoon deliberately being
that aggressive.  Anyway - I'm very sad about it.  I would never pick an
iguana as a pet - but in taking care of her, I had become attached to her.
I had been letting her out more often (supervised) to get exercise.  She was
probably about three feet long, and sturdy looking.  My question - does
anybody know why ferrets go after lizards?  My ferrets live with three cats
and a #120 pound dog.  The ferrets have absolutely no fear or respect for
the dog and cats, and tease them on occasion.  But - Never - go after them
in that puncturing way.  It's not like lizards make fast movements or look
like mice or rats.  I don't understand what's in the nature of a ferret to
go after a reptile.
 
So now I have another new grave in my yard - lost my Albino about six weeks
ago due to a blockage.  I caged the ferrets today as I'm feeling a little
paranoid about what will happen next, and I dread giving the news to  my son.
[Posted in FML issue 1886]