I've read about ferrets biting and nipping, but none of my babies nips had been painful. Well, when I stopped in at the pet store last week, I meet a nipper. She was a really cute silver mitt, but I left with dents in my nails and my skin. (One of her presumable litter mates was nipping gently in a manner that looked exactly like suckling. I think that baby was still expecting milk). I went back a couple of days later, so that if she was still there I could handle her some more in order to help accustom her to humans. But the ferret cage was covered over, saying no handling with out assistance. So I went to talk to one of the employees (who recognizes me from frequent trips - I go in every so often to play with any new kits - after all they let people play with the dogs and cats but the poor ferrets are stuck in their cage with no play time). I asked if they were having problems with ferrets biting. No he said, the problem is people stealing them. Apparently, they have had at least one kit stolen from their last couple of litters. I just could not believe it. I was so worried for the kits. If someone was stealing them what was happening to them? Hopefully, they are sold in the paper. At least then they might be safe. The employee added once they'd caught kids trying to take the ferrets. He did not elaborate on what happened. Just a sobering thought on something that can befell a ferret. Cheryl, Sneeuw and Sushi. [Posted in FML issue 1616]