Hi all, just a question about something I've never seen in a ferret before.
 
Twice now, Squirrel (about 14-15 weeks old, one of my two new additions)
has shown an odd behavior culminating in a hard bite.  I can still feel
the most recent one, which was the hardest I've ever received from a ferret.
 
Sometimes when I'm holding him he'll start sniffing and licking along one
arm (almost always the left), and get VERY excited.  He'll eventually work
his way around to the inside of my elbow, then bite HARD and hang on.  This
last time I actually bled, the first time a fur-rat has made me do that.
 
Normally he's a really great ferret.  I got him and Moose (a littermate) a
few weeks ago as companions for my other two.  They're VERY playful and
excitable, and have needed some careful nip training, but this is different.
He gets all excited, locks in on a spot and BITES.  He knows he's not
supposed to do it; when I yelp or grab for his scruff he runs away and tries
to hide, making it difficult to discipline him before it's too late.
 
Anybody know why he'd do this?  It's not out of viciousness.  He's very
friendly.  I can't figure out what the deal is, unless my arm smells like
food or something.
 
Chris
 
        I am Ferret of Borg
                The Litterbox is Irrelevant
                        Bitter Apple is Irrelevant
                                Your Socks Will Be Assimilated
[Posted in FML issue 1676]