>P.S. As I write this, 2 racoons are growling and wrestling over food on >one side of the porch-knocking over chairs: and a young racoon is sitting >in the large glass bowl of water on the opposite side. >God sure makes cool stuff! Raccoons carry a dangerous parasite called bayliscarias ascrid (round worm). As cute as raccoons may be to some, they can also be extremely deadly. The parasite's destination is to get into the brain of any animal. They affect primarily squirrels & rabbits, but have also been responsible for the death of human infants and one human adult. The parasites are ingested, enter the blood stream and head for the animals brain where they live and grow until the animal dies. While ferrets don't usually eat grass, they could still be at risk. I'd advise against encouraging raccoons to visit your home. God also makes some very dangerous stuff. Sandi Best Little Rabbit, Rodent & Ferret House House Rabbit Society a non-profit animal shelter 14325 Lake City Way NE Seattle, WA 98125 (206)365-9105 or visit our on-line store at: http://www.rabbitrodentferret.org [Posted in FML issue 3494]