I've been following some of the discussions about "pouting ferrets" and
thought I'd throw my experiences in the mix.
 
I have two male ferrets, Arthur (the dominant one) and Merlin (the large
one).  Merlin often lies flat and "sighs", but I do not believe it to be
pouting in his case. In his case, I believe it is a startle reflex.  He
usually does this when I startle him by walking into a room suddenly.
 
This is different from Arthur; Arthur startles quite easily, and will hiss,
flair his tail, and hide behind a door or anything else handy.  Merlin on
the other hand will simply flop down on his belly, sigh, and then look at
you.
 
I get the feeling that he knows that if he drops to the floor, he is less
likely to be stepped on than if he dashes around.  My experience with Arthur
seems to prove this to be true. <grin>  I also think that Arthur's eyesight
must be worse than Merlin's, because he is so skiddish and acts so spooked
until I talk to him.  Once I talk to him, he relaxes within a few seconds,
and comes out to play.
 
--- Dave
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[Posted in FML issue 1437]