Mustelids are the last major branch to arise from the canine (dog) branch of Carnivora. Vevirrids like the mongoose descended from the feline (cat) branch of Carnivora a bit more recently. Isn't paleontology great? It gives all sorts of info. For ANYONE there is a FUN book (and there is even a video set worked from the book) called _The Velvet Claw_. I can see on a quick check that Amazon has it listed in the UK section of the company (I am working thorugh a blaring headache) so check there and elsewhere. It's very affordable and incredibly enjoyable. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0563208449/qid=1101394493/ sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_8_2/202-0678850-4746206 http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004CNIX/202-0678850-4746206 Ohhhhhhhhhh... Lookie: http://www.bobpickett.org/velvet_claw.htm Scroll down to mustelids! Note sections like this quoted excerpt: >Mustelids are the most recent offshoot of the dog branch. They share >an ancestor with the procyonids, or raccoon, family. Along with most of >the related procyonids and bears, the mustelids developed in Eurasia, >differing from the dogs that developed in North America. The same >cooling world climate that affected other carnivoran families about 30 >mya, accelerated the opening of forests, enabling the spread of >herbivorous mammals. These mammals were small and became burrowers in >order to escape from the larger carnivores. The evolution of mustelids >followed two directions. and so on. Alexandra just thought, "Hmmm, Poof. Puff. Yep. Got it!" Silly lady! ;-) [Posted in FML issue 4708]