Q: "Hey Bob what gives? You identified the bone but didn't share it with us? How can we learn?" A: Why do you assume I can teach? Some people love to put their boney fingers into every pot, but I am not one of them. I just don't feel a need to comment on everything little thing posted on the FML. Sorry, but that is not my job. When my FML Angel forwarded the original post to me, I looked at the photo and couldn't identify the bone with certainty, so I emailed asking for another photo. When the other photos were sent, I knew without hesitation what bone it was, and I simply replied to her email. See? Not as sinister as you thought! However, you asked for elucidation and now you must be punished! However, I will magnanimously not mention your name so the rest of the FML doesn't bomb your email box with hate mail for triggering my lecture gene. The ferret foot is very similar to the human foot, and is composed of 14 toe bones (the big toe has 2 bones, all the other toes have 3 each), 5 bones in the arch of the foot, and 7 anklebones for a total of 26 bones. That is a pretty complex structure, so try not to step on them, ok? The anklebones are called tarsals and each one has it's own name (calcaneus, talus [or astragalus], cuboid, first tarsal, second tarsal, third tarsal and fourth tarsal [there are many synonyms for various tarsals, but these are the ones I use]). The bones in the arch of the foot are called metatarsals, and a number identifies each one; the big toe is #1 and it runs sequentially to the little piggy, which is #5. The toe bones are called phalanges (phalanx is singular), and each one is known by the same number as the articulating metatarsal. The individual toe bones are called the distal phalanx (the toe bone with the claw), the medial phalanx (or intermediate; the big toe doesn't have one), and the proximal phalanx (the one that articulates with the metatarsal). So, the toe bone with the claw that is next to the big toe would be called the second distal phalanx and the middle finger bone in the third toe would be the third medial phalanx. Tarsals can be identified to individual bone and side of body. Metatarsals have distinct shapes and can be identified to individual bone and side of body. Phalanges are readily identified to proximal-medial-distal, but the exact location and side is extremely difficult to determine in ferrets; some can and some can't be identified. You now know more about ferret foot bones than you ever wanted to know. Sorry you asked? Well, get out your pencil and paper for the quiz. No scrolling up, now! 1. How many bones are in the ferret's foot? 2, What are the ankle bones called? 3. Why are to taking a dumb test when your ferrets want to play? Bob C [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML 5854]