Remember, Sara, that although ferrets and mongooses look similar they
are NOT closely related!  The mongooses are viverrids and descended from
the cat branch, and the ferrets are mustelids and descended from the dog
branch like otters, martins, fishers, etc.  Most people know how playful
otters are so you can mention that they are like smaller, domesticated
otters who usually spill and snorkel in water rather than swimming in it!
 
-- Sukie (not a vet, and not speaking for any of the below in my
private posts)
Recommended health resources to help ferrets and the people who love
them:
Ferret Health List
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
FHL Archives
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
AFIP Ferret Pathology
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
Miamiferrets
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
International Ferret Congress Critical References
http://www.ferretcongress.org
[Posted in FML issue 5219]