From:
princesspunkrock83@hotmail.com
Date: 2004-05-26 22:38:21 UTC
Subject: RE: Ethology: Licking and Smelling
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <3662373.1085611101466.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
I also have a question about this "licking" subject. One of my ferrets Mil=
a is obsessed with licking me. I know part of the reason why she has been =
licking so much is because its been pretty hot here and she likes licking m=
y sweat (the inside of my elbows, back of my knees and forehead are her fav=
orite spots), but its almost as if she is obsessed with it. If she has acc=
ess to my legs, the majority of the time she is trying to lick me. If I am=
under covers, she still manages to find my legs and if I tuck part of the =
sheet or blanket under me to try and stop here, she finds another way to ge=
t to my legs. If I tell her no and pick her up and move her away, she just=
goes right back and scruffing doesn't work either. I have seen her try a =
good 20 times before she finally gave up. Also, she nips/bites but only wh=
en she is licking my legs or arms. Is this fixation for the same reasons a=
s less frequent licking? My fiance moved about a month ago because of work=
and so our girls haven't gotten to see him yet, and Mila was "his" ferret,=
so could Mila be giving me so much attention because my fiance hasn't been=
around? Also, is it normal for ferrets to become more affectionate as the=
y get older?
Author wrote:
> I've experienced, and heard of, ferrets licking their people on the hands=
, face, etc... I had previously thought the licking was merely a result of =
any salts on our skin seeming tasty for them. Now I am beginning to wonder =
if it an act of affection, as with dogs?
> Also, the two ferrets will rather often smell each others' rear end. Is t=
his a method of olfactory identification (as their eyesight is really poor)=
?
> -Tiffany
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