>From:    Calysta Thalassa <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Ferrets in Egypt
>2) If ferrets were domesticated 1200 years before cats, why isn't there
>the variation among the species as there is in cats?
 
This only partially applies.  Breeds in dogs only really started a century
or two ago.  Some dogs were bred smaller or stockier based on what they
were needed for but weren't really tracked as seperate breeds until the dog
fancy was created.  Some differences came about due to regional likes and
dislikes about the appearance of dogs or cats.
 
But other than specifically using the term breed aspect you are right.  The
variation is indeed there and has been for a long time before they were
called "breeds".
 
So two things led to differing body styles: purpose and geographical
seperation.  Ferrets only had two closely related purposes - vermin control
and hunting a limitted number of prey species.  So ferrets didn't undergo
division into breeds for purpose as they were already right for what they
were needed for.  Ferrets weren't as widespread geopgraphically so regional
varitions didn't happen much either.
 
The variation in dogs from the small chihuahua to the great dane, from the
wirey terriers to the lush coated spitzes to the basically hairless Chinese
crested and the similar but not as dramatic variations in body and hair
styles in cats show a longer amount of time in captive and domestic
breeding when compared to ferrets.  Cats don't fill as many different
purposes as dogs so there is less need for drastic body styles differences
than there was for dogs.
 
>With ferrets, you don't, except perhaps with the angora ferret.
 
As far as I can tell that variation is only about a decade old.
 
>With ferrets, there are mostly just colour variations.
 
Most of these are also only a couple decades or so old.  Earlier it was
dark and white.  Some variation in the dark but not a specific variation
that was bred for.
 
>It has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that our domesticated
>ferret is descended from the European Polecat.
 
There is some contention that the steppe polecat was involved.  Some
contend that the European was derived form the steppe polecat.  When the
ferret seperated off isn't proven quite yet.  FWIW the Black footed ferret
is beleived to be a descendant of the steppe polecat as well
 
>From:    "Aileen N." <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: hahaha, Edward, just had to comment, all in fun
>I went in, grabbed one 30lb (or are they 40lbs each?) bag in each arm
>and sauntered up to the register.
 
40.  Come on go for three and you'll be carrying almost your body weight.
Thats something I can't do even though at our place I am the designated
heavy stuff carrier.  (Gets me out of other chores I'd like less so I
don't complain one bit.)
 
Oh yes I am rather impressed on your just grabbing 80 pounds like that.
Diane can carry the heavier things but only one at a time but she's not
healthy enough for it to be a good idea.  We save her to do the brain work
and me to do the brawn work.  No wait I'm the designated list poster so...
Uh... About my posts... Er... Never mind.  <grin>
 
-bill
--
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 2744]