>I just want to share some funny little mannerisms my deaf girl Lola has,
>and am wondering if anyone else's fuzzies do the same things.  I don't
>know if they're just funny ferret things, deaf things (neither of my
>other ferrets do them), or just Lola things.  For one thing, she does
>something I call the nose nudge.  When I'm playing with her or she's
>feeling extra cuddly she'll press her little pink nose against my hands
>and arms-- never anywhere else.  I can't tell if she's really sniffing
>or just nosing.  It's like she's drawing dots on me with her nose.
 
My little fur-brats do it too.  Sometimes I think they are just sniffing,
and sometimes I think it is an attempt to get attention.  Pooh will
practically headbutt me legs on occasion.  I can always tell which ferret
it is by the technique.  Pooh headbutts hard, and Tigger just lightly
touches me with her nose, and I mostly just feel her little whiskers
tickling me.  If Pooh wants a treat, sometimes he will climb up in my lap
and nudge my arm or elbow.  He will put his nose under the arm and push
up against it.  So it is definitely a nudge.  None of my babies are deaf,
so the behaviors just mentioned are from hearing ferrets.
 
>Also, she'll nibble on me the way she nibbles herself when she has an
>itch-- not biting, but sort of chattering her teeth against me.  Anyone
>else's ferrets do this?  Any idea why?
 
I really can't say for sure, but I do have a theory.  I think it is a
grooming behavior, because I do see them do it to themselves and the
other ferrets from time to time.  I suspect their wild ancesters
developed this behavior as a way to remove fleas or other parasites
from their fur.  I would take it as a compliment.  She LOVES you!
 
Holly,
Tigger, Pooh & Sprite
[Posted in FML issue 3946]