A lot of ferret owners have the same problem I face: a horrid lack of free time. For me, this means I have to make whatever enrichments I have time to do the best possible ones for my ferrets. I simply do not have time to waste giving ineffective enrichments when my ferrets NEED effectual ones. Since extremely little research has been done on the enrichment needs of captive pet ferrets, how can I determine the ferret's problem areas--the ones I should spend the most time on--if I want their enrichment program to be efficient AND effective? The answer is modeling; that is, to use the research on other animals, either those that are closely related, or those with similar lifeways to model the enrichment needs of domesticated ferrets. In terms of enrichment, while the model may not be absolutely perfect, we can be reasonably sure it is close enough for our purposes (we are not talking about rocket science, folks). There are two such species that have tremendous value for domesticated ferrets--both having their enrichment needs researched (at least to some degree) and both having the research published so the information is readily available. These two species are the dwarf mongoose and the black-footed ferret, species where the enrichments needs have been studied for conservation or zoological display purposes. While dwarf mongooses are members of the Viveridae and black-footed ferrets are members of the Mustelidae, a close comparison of enrichment needs of both species show they are nearly identical. Because of the extremely close relationship between the black-footed ferret and the domesticated ferret, *I* consider their enrichment needs virtually identical; it follows that the needs of the dwarf mongoose can be used to model the needs of ferrets. There are some studies on polecats (IF they can be obtained, and IF you can have them translated as I have!), and a close scrutiny of those findings support the applicability of dwarf mongoose and black-footed ferret studies towards the enrichment needs of domesticated ferrets. How exactly are these species physical, physiological, and emotional needs for enrichment met? A lot of them are met by housing the animal in a caged environment that approximates the COMPLEXITY of a natural environment, either by providing an enclosure that contains natural objects (as seenin the dwarf mongoose photos), or by simulating such complexity using clearly artificial items, such as cinder blocks, artificial scents, hay, treat "browse", dryer tubing, etc. Remember the statement that complexity is closely associated with clutter? Try to find a natural forest or grasslands environment that lacks clutter; you won't, and it is unlikely you can find such a complex environment lacking clutter within a ferret's home as well. Complexity, novelty, and randomness are important, but what systems in the ferret should be stimulated, and how should it be done? Based on studies done on dwarf mongooses, black-footed ferrets, polecats, and my own work with domesticated ferrets, here are at least EIGHT different areas that should be at least periodically enriched: Intelligence, Memory, Problem Solving, Odor, Vision, Taste, Hearing, and Touch. Bob C [Posted in FML issue 4199]