Re: wild mustelids The life span of any wild mustalids kept in captivity is greatly increased in comparison with the life span of 2 to 3 years that they would encounter in the wild, the European Polecats that have been kept in zoo's and private animal collections have recorded life spans of 10 plus years. All of the mustalids kept in these collections are fed on as natural a diet as possible, this includes the sort of thing they would catch in the wild and as a more scientific aspect is being used to keeping all these animals healthy the owners can now get vitamins and minerals which would otherwise lost the owners can now replace them. In these private and public animal collection none of the animals are fed on kibble yet they can reach incredible ages that they would not reach in the wild. [Posted in FML issue 5210]