>From:    MC <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: A Ferret/A Weasel?
>Uh...actually, a ferret IS a weasel, a member of the weasel family, that
>is.  So..referring to them as weasels, is correct.
 
Wait I have to say something on this one.  Yes a ferret and a weasel are in
the same family.  Techically it isn't "the weasel family".  It is
Mustelidea.  The weasel is the most known comparison, but other animals
such as minks, ermines, otters, badgers, and up until quite recently skunks
were in this family too.  This is the reason each animal is further broken
down in the naming process into genus and species.  So you see ferrets and
weasels are not the same.  They cannot interbreed, therefore, ferrets and
weasels have separate genus species names.
 
On the same note, humans and apes are in the same family as well.  It is
called Primates.  Would you want someone to call you an ape?  I know I
would be offended.
 
Just alittle walk through the science of nomenclature,
 
Melissa Warren
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[Posted in FML issue 2459]