I 'think' we are not of the norm. But that isn't surprising now is it. When Pumkin and Rusty were with us, they were the gentle leaders of the group. Now that they are gone there isn't one. I've watched them closely and as far as I can tell the group is equal in stature. I love seeing them cuddled in the quilts, piled in hammocks, snuggled in beds, and playing together. When one is feeling ill, others snuggle with them. When they wake up it's common to see 2 in a litter box at one time. They share food dishes and when there are too many at one dish, I'll see some squeeze in, take a mouth full and move a short distance way to happily munch. The others at the bowls always allow one more mouth to partake. And if there are too many heads in the way, a little one will gently move them aside by pushing with their head. I've never seen a squabble over the food dishes, well except for very young kits that growl and spit and jump when you touch them (I can't help myself, it is just so incredibly cute) while they are eating a special treat. :-) This isn't to say that we don't have a slight scuffle now and again but it doesn't appear to be territorial or stature related, more of someone got a little rough when playing or someone doesn't want to play at the time. Someone suggested that they view me as the gentle leader and since I do have some ferret tendencies.... ;-) But as I said, we are not of the norm. I like to think that there is magick, along with the love and warmth, in our home. ;-) Hugs to all. tle Troy Lynn Eckart, F.B.S. Ferret Family Services http://www.ferretfamilyservices.org http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~sprite/ffs.html http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/5481/ Please sign up to support our efforts http://www.iGive.com/FFS [Posted in FML issue 3939]