A quick answer to the person who asked about the relationship of ferrets
to mongooses (mongeese?)...
 
The Mongoose is in the family Viveridae, not the Mustelidae (where the
otters, skunks, polecats, weasels, and assorted fuzzballs are found).  Both
are in the order Carnivora.  the general thought among zoologists is that
Viverids are more primitive in some traits than the Mustelids.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Cheers - Mason, Pogo, Henry (the new "replacement" ferret, but don't tell
him), Leila the cat (who wonders WHY there need to be mustelids), and the
ever-present spirit of Slinky.
[Posted in FML issue 2498]