From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2001-07-25 21:25:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Do Dr. Williams - Thank you SO much...
The original domestic ferrets are descended by only a few thousand
years from crepuscular, burrow dwelling animals, so if what they are
adapted for indicates what is healthiest for them then not having
enough darkness would matter more. I know that Dr. Judi Bell has had
an interest in doing such a study if funding can be found, but to
date I haven't heard of one being done.
I have also heard claims about angoras but I sure haven't seen any
numbers tracing those. That is one topic of discussion that keeps
coming up on the Ferret Genetics List, too: the importance of
breeders finally keeping detailed health and longevity records. A
few have begun and some are trying to reconstruct background data
(which is harder than keeping it from the start so shows commitment)
and is a marvelous step in the right direction by people who
recognize the value of such records.