In answer to the recent postings about biting and nipping ferrets, we just adopted one a couple of weeks ago. Yes, she does chomp, and attacks and chases the dog as well. The more love, understanding, and PATIENCE she gets from us, the better she will be. It takes a lot of time, so the experts have told me. I have small kids, and when Portia nips or bites them, they cry, but they still hold her and play. About having small kids and ferrets: I have taken a lot of time to teach the kids about loving and caring for an animal. Your kids will mimic whatever you do with your animals. A word of caution: when playing with your ferret, do not use your hands, but a toy or a rag. This way, the fuzzy will not associate hands with play. I have a 6 yr old fert who does the sniff-sniff-chomp stuff on my toes ONLY. Why? I don't know. I am just cautious when they are around. I do not leave them out. When they are out, they get nothing but interaction: love, hugs, play, discipline. Then I put them up in their tub (yep, they are in the tub! it is great for keeping clean- real easy). I interact with them at least four or five times a day, for about thirty minutes a shot. I know that things will change once school starts, though. But, by that time they should be very well adjusted (although my 13 yr old, who LOVES to play with them, will be homeschooled, and he's a ferret himself). Biters and nippers TAKE LOTS OF TIME AND PATIENCE. Hope this helps. Re: another post concerning kids and ferrets: I have 6 children. We are around the ferrets and other animals all the time. Children who are not familiar with ferrets can be deadly targets for ferrets who are territorial. And they do get that way. Cleo sensed something about the little neice, that's all. Is Cleo around kids a lot? GENERALLY SPEAKING, if ferrets aren't around kids, and you put them around kids who have not been around ferrets, then it can be a recipe for disaster. By the way, this holds true for other animals as well. Hugs :0) Sarah (owned by Portia and Stela and maybe a couple more in the future but don't tell anybody!!!!) [Posted in FML issue 2762]