I have seen many posts referring to the temperature of housing ferrets and will just add my own two cents to this as well. I am the kind of person that feels that the temperature of the house has a direct influence on the ferret's coat as well as the number of hours of natural light they receive. And since the two of them go hand in hand, it's hard to separate them. I have noticed wonderful changes in their coats due to both these factors and the changes are amazing. I personally believe that the coat change has a lot to do with the benefit of keeping them warmer in winter. Just by feeling their coats I can differentiate between the summer coat and the winter coat... the winter one is fuller and thicker, and very soft. The summer one is lighter, shorter, and in most cases, coarser. I can tell that there is more going on here than just cosmetics. I have noticed that they sleep a lot more in winter than in summer and love to snuggle up in the blankies. They tend to eat more, building up their fat reserves as well - more insulation. Our new foster, Squeegie, has taken to sleeping with us in the bed for warmth, but the temperature certainly doesn't hinder his love for tag with us or his desire to explore and lord over the other ferrets. The temperature really does not seem to bother him one way or the other. When it gets cooler he merely beds down where it is warm. Keep in mind that all animals will acclimatize themselves no matter where they are as long as they are given proper shelter to give them the chance to do so. Just look at any zoo in any major city and see that animals who normally live in the warmer regions survive well in the colder, snow bearing cities. And animals that live their lives in colder regions, accustom their bodies to accept the warmer temperatures. Working at a zoo I see it happen all the time. Even I could adjust my body to live in a much warmer state given that I live up in the Great White North. So tempting, so tempting.... I am also a great believer that the cooler temperatures keeps them healthier. Many studies have been done on the relationship of winter sicknesses and people keeping their windows closed versus the healthier summer months when people open their windows to allow in the fresh air. (As a counter-point, I know that some of you are aware that some sickness thrive better in warmer temperatures.) Many people do not allow fresh air from outside into their homes during winter months thus allowing the potential for harmful bacteria a place to grow. Same for buildings that don't allow fresh air in (proper air circulation) even in the summer months. You've heard it referred to as 'building sickness". In the winter months, I have the windows open on occasion just to let in fresh air. The ferrets are the first to stick their noses through the window to enjoy all the wondrous smells. I have two ferrets that show no fear in diving out the front door in the middle of winter just to run out in the snow to play "mole". I personally like the house cooler in winter, and I don't want to give the gas company more of my hard earned cash then I have to. Besides, I happen to lack the "body hair" that they have and am forced to bundle up. My ferrets don't mind, and are rarely, if ever sick, from flu or colds, and I get a wonderful blessing each coat change to see what they will become next. God bless temperature changes! Betty and Her Blur O'Fur [Posted in FML issue 2879]