Biting and mouthing are normal behaviors for baby ferrets (kits), just as they are for kittens and puppies. To a curious playful ferret their world is full of new and exciting things to be tested or tasted... chomp! Play fighting with litter mates and other animals is an important learning behavior. It develops physical skills, coordination and reflexes. Kits use these new skills on us because they view us as playmates. Ferret skin is tough and we are soft so inevitably we sometimes get "hurt". This is not done intentionally by any means. Because ferrets do not know that we are "soft" they must be gently taught not to bite hard. Remember that biting and mouthing is their normal play behavior. When they play with each other often times they grab and roll and sometimes they grab and shake. Sound familiar? Sometimes their play attacks may frighten people, but to ferrets this is only a joyful game. So remember when you are walking down the hall and this whirling warm fuzzy critter attaches itself to the back of your knee then drops down, that this is only an invitation to play. And when you start hopping and squealing and they begin to dance, this is a dance of joy that you are "playing" with them. :-) Hugs to all. tle [Posted in FML issue 1669]