I'm just commenting on the feral ferret issue. First, Mo' Bob, your comments on this are very interesting (I'm a Zoology major). Second, I wanted to comment on a few things that Jim said. He stated that mustelids are depredating some species, and that he was not referring only to ferrets, so I guess I'm not too sure how that argument concerns ferrets at all. Are some of those mustelids once-domesticated ferrets? The thing about this whole argument that confuses me the most is just how many ferrets are let loose in CA anyway? And how many of them are whole, and not neutered? My thesis is on the black-footed ferret population (or lack thereof) in Meeteetse, WY. (my info is for bff's, but it should be GENERALLY true for ferrets as well, to the best of my knowledge.) In order for a population to be viable and able to sustain itself, a minimum of 30-40 breeding animals with an even sex ratio is necessary, providing the needed habitat/prey is available. I'm not sure how habitat and prey would apply to domestic ferrets - as far as I know, flannel sleep sacks and Linatone are not part of CA's natural flora and fauna. But what are the odds of enough whole breeding ferrets of both sexes being let loose in the same area? And even if there was a population of this size, one disease, like distemper (which helped wipe out the bff's) could very well decimate the population, or at least reduce it to a number where it was no longer viable. Inbreeding is virtually unavoidable in such a small population, which would also increase susceptibility to disease. Also, I believe the accepted definition of a feral population (Bob, please feel free to correct me!) is one that has found a sustaining prey/food supply, and has an established breeding history. Jim, if you would like, I do have references for my information. (except the definition) I guess that was more like $10 than $.04 -- Sorry! Tanya- [Posted in FML issue 1754]