I found Bob's post on food preferences and the impact of olfactory memory on them very interesting. It helps to explain why my two ferrets, both of whom joined me as adults, have such radically different taste in treats. Fuzz, a small light sable male who came to live with me at 1 1/2 and is now 4, has a serious sweet tooth. He loves Pepsi, ice cream, jelly beans, candy corn, and gummy bears, so I have to seriously watch him to prevent tooth decay. He will eat raisins, banana, and Cheerios, but doesn't have the same enthusiasm for these healthier treats. Mario, on the other hand, a large sable mitt who joined our little family four months ago and is now 2, eschews sweeter treats but loves pretzels, tortilla chips, Nilla wafers, and bread. The strange thing about him is that he has absolutely no interest in Linatone, which Fuzz and every other ferret I have ever met or heard of would dance the jitterbug to get. He'll sniff it when Fuzz gets his, but doesn't even taste it. I once painted his nose with it so he'd have to lick it off, but he didn't seem to care. My question: what's the strangest thing your ferrets think is ambrosia? I'd love to hear. Also: my boys eat a mix of Meow Mix and Marshall Farms ferret food, but they always pick the Meow Mix out to eat first, and won't eat the Marshall Farms until it's the only stuff left. Any suggestions as to how to boost their protein without offending their delicate palates? [Posted in FML issue 1365]