Those sure don't look like European Polecats to me, but like the "Marbled Polecat" which is a cousin mustelid, the Vormela -- endangered but not as badly so as in some recent past decades. Now, I know my eyesight is lousy, but i don't think it is that bad that I'd see a Vormela instead of a Mustela! LOL! BTW, if you would like to see Vormelas: http://www.photozoo.org/d/13324-3/Vormela+peregusna+6.JPG The degree to which the back is brown is somewhat variable in vormelas, but I think the spots are always present, and I have seen photos of some with some lighter brown and even golden areas on the head. Here is one with a light back: http://itech.pjc.edu/sctag/marbled_polecat/pic4.jpg Some species info for you: <http://genomics.senescence.info/species/entry.php?species=Vormela_peregusna> and <http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=621958> OH, I haven't seen this before and it is really quite marvelous: http://www.all-about-ferrets.com/marbled-polecat.html Remember that Jack Hanna has introduced domestic ferrets as wild animals in the past. I suspect that what Letterman felt as purring was vibrating which could be from waking up or from excitement. The slow loris brought back memories, having worked with one 30 years ago. He tends to have an incredible rapport with animals but at times what he says is inaccurate. Sukie (not a vet) Recommended ferret health links: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/ http://ferrethealth.org/archive/ http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html http://www.miamiferret.org/ http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/ http://www.ferretcongress.org/ http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html [Posted in FML 6354]
