In the U.S. fitch is the term which is used for ferret pelts by the fur industry. It also has been used in some areas to refer to polecats. Fitch has a Middle English origin from the Middle Dutch word for the pelt according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Also: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Fitchet says: > 1. > (Zool.) The European polecat (Putorius f[OE]tidus). See Polecat. which is echoed by http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/fitchet -- Sukie (not a vet) Ferret Health List co-moderator http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth FHL Archives fan http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org International Ferret Congress advisor http://www.ferretcongress.org [Posted in FML issue 5134]
