I like this thread...
 
My all time best dumb question was, sadly, from a college student - "Aren't
they the animals without any bones?" (I think my initial response was a
dumbfounded blank stare as the stupidity of the question sank in.  I can't
remember what my response was any more, but I think there was a discussion
of jellyfish involved.  ;) )
 
I've had a few - "Aren't they the animals without any backbone/spine?"
 
And several - "Have they ever attacked any snakes?"
 
Constantly - "Um, is it a squirrel?"
 
These are all from adults.  I'm not quite so shocked by bizarre questions
from children, they usually just make me laugh.  It's the adults, who have
successfully made it through the US education system, who frighten me
sometimes (as in the first two examples above, the second two are more
reasonable for someone who has just never met a ferret before).
 
People do seem much more educated about ferrets now.  I don't get nearly as
many dumb questions as when I adopted my first ferret ~9 years ago.  Now I
get a LOT more "Isn't that a ferret, [a friend of a friend of a friend] used
to have one."
 
Of course none of my examples beat the one recently where ferrets are
supposed to eat your toes off while you sleep.  My Percy used to try, but I
can guarantee you that she didn't succeed in not waking me up!  ;)
 
- Nancy
 
-----
Nancy L. Stephens
 
[log in to unmask]
Senior Systems Analyst
TCIM Services, Inc.
[Posted in FML issue 2224]