You wrote:
>First off, I read in one book that ferrets were part of the otter family.
>Another book states that they are part of the weasel family.  Does anybody
>have an idea as to which way it goes?
 
Both!  They are all mustelids (otters, weasels, polecats, domestic ferrets,
ermine, mink, badgers, and woverines - which are the largest mustelids, etc.)
 
>I have also read that ferrets will attack rabbits.  Is this domesticated
>ferrets too?
 
Personally, I think "attack" is a bit strong.  Ferrets were (and sometimes
still are) used in hunting rabbits.  But what they really do is just run
down a rabbit burrow and flush the rabbit out so the hunter can shoot it.
So, yes, it is domestic ferrets that are being discussed.
 
>My neighbor has a rabbit and we decided to see what would happen.  The
>rabbit hopped towards my ferret Abu, but Abu just sniffed at the rabbit.
>Abu didn't seem to think any differently of the rabbit than he does of
>other animals that come around.
 
Sounds perfectly normal to me!  My ferrets rarely get to "play" with my
cats, because quite frankly I don't trust any of them to play nice with
each other.  But when the opportunity presents itself, the ferrets consider
the cats to be major moving toys!  That would be the only big concern with
a rabbit.  I don't think most rabbits can handle the rambunctious play of
ferrets!
 
I never leave either of my ferrets alone with another animal, but does
anybody know what their true instinct is?
 
To play, play, play........
 
Kim and The Dynamic Duo
[Posted in FML issue 2355]