Ferret List,
 
re Joyce's question about ferrets in Florida . . . I suggest you contact
one of the following ferret clubs in Florida. That business about registering
ferrets sounds a bit weird.
 
The European polecat, often referred to as "fitch" although this actually
is a color of fur according to fur farmers, has the following traits:
dark sable only (albinos extremely rare), eyes uniformly brown, skull
has broader, flatter sagittal crest, skull blunted with eyes facing
forward, good binocular vision (contrast with ferrets, who have little
binocular vision), average litter size of 6, primarily nocturnal. Main
and most important distinction is that temperament is like mink or other
wild animals, as the "fitch" have not had over 2,000 years of selective breeding
toward domesticity as has the pet ferret. [references--Ermzeka Animal
Life Encyclopedia, Simon & Schuster, 1976; F. Shimbo, Personal observations
and notes; J.G. Fox, Biology and Diseases of the Ferret, Lea & Febiger,
1988].
 
Florida ferret clubs:
 
North Florida Ferret Association, c/o Elizabeth Raiser, 3000 Beutlich
Rd., Middleburg, FL 32068. 282-5162
 
Florida Ferret Fanciers, 1821 N. 49th Ave., Hollywood, FL 33021
 
Central Florida Ferret Assoc., 1655 Misty Dawn Ln., Merritt Island,
FL 32955
 
Florida Friends of Ferrets, 7732 Camino Real F-104, Miami, FL 33143
(305) 596-9693
 
Gainesville Ferret Meisters, P.O. Box 13245, Gainesville, FL 32604
(904) 466-4098
 
and naturally you can always contact the International Ferret Assoc.,
P.O. Box 522, Roanoke, VA 24003 (703) 343-5889.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Chip Gallo, Montgomery Ferret Club
[log in to unmask]
 
[Chip - I did get your correction and folded it back in]
                                                                          
[Posted in FML 0073]