Behavior Questions

[Deleted]

I have two ferrets, Percy who is almost 2 and Olivia who is around 8 months. Percy was an only ferret up until May when he and Olivia were intro'd and started living together. Percy is a big boisterous boy who loves playing rough. He has no fear and is very in your face about everything. Olive is deaf, small and a bit shy. The best word to describe her is dainty.

So sometimes when they get too into playing... Percy will start dragging Olivia around by her ear. Usually I will scruff him and he will let go but I don't really enjoy watching them like a hawk every second in order to catch him. I'm just curious if I should be concerned or is this a regular ferret thing to do? I'm also nervous because Percy has a cauliflower ear that he received under similar circumstances at the pet store. Do injuries of this sort happen often? Olive doesn't seem to mind. She doesn't squeal and as soon as he lets go she is running and jumping on him, trying to get him to play.

Also, only when they are both behind the couch or somewhere I can't see them, one will make a loud screeching noise. I know there is screeching during play, but I also know there is screaming in pain or fear and I'm not sure how to tell the difference between the two. When I hear it I feel alarmed, which makes me think it is a pain scream. How should I figure out what is going on?

Both of these things only ever happen during super excited play time. Percy does go a bit overboard at times and any tips would be appreciated.

[Heather]

I've watched ferrets drag each other down the full length of the hallway. The other day Lady Natasha and Boris were roughing in the dining room. Boris suddenly won the upper hand, grabbed Lady Natasha by the top of her head (sorry it looked painful). Surprisingly, she went absolutely limp. Boris then dragged her in full caveman glory, through the dining room (banging her head off the table leg), down the hall and then stashed her in the bedroom under the bed. He then bounced back down the hallway in all his "manly glory" dooking and being a real idiot. He got to the living room when he was hit by a little white Fury....Lady Natasha hit him so hard she knocked him 5 full tile lengths. She then proceeded to pound his head off the floor, meanwhile screaming and shrieking like a deranged banshee (I love how they manage to do this when they have a mouthfull of wriggling fuzz). She trounced the daylights out of him. She then strutted her stuff off down the hall, leaving a dazed and rather befuddled Boris lying in the middle of the living room floor.
So, you see, even when it appears to be complete defeat these little girls can win and often do. My wee Natasha weighs less than a pound, just a wee mite. She's also the nastiest piece of work that carries fur and four legs. Shrieking can be pain, but often it can also mean anger, and out and out frustration. Unless, there appears to be damage (blood, pee and poop) leave them to sort their own battles. The more often you interfere the harder it is for them to sort out their own issues.
And yes, I know how hard it is to follow these instructions. The only time I interfere is when a little one is being so beaten that it's affecting their outlook on life or there is a chance of physical harm
ciao

[Deleted]

LOL heather love the way you describe the fight, It's like i was there watching LOL

We have LOTS of scuffles here with four crazy ferts. The only time I've stepped in (and I've never seen blood, pee, or poop) is when they are picking on a sicky who can't/doesn't have the energy to give it back. Usually they are respectful of the sleeping sickies, but not always LOL

[Sherry]

Yeah, that behaviour is pretty normal for ferrets. And Heather- I love reading your stories about your little ones ;D

[Deleted]

Jun 24, 2011 9:12:19 GMT -5 Sherry said:

Yeah, that behaviour is pretty normal for ferrets. And Heather- I love reading your stories about your little ones ;D

Ditto>

[hazelrah]

Jun 24, 2011 21:52:02 GMT -5 @lasher said:

Jun 24, 2011 9:12:19 GMT -5 Sherry said:

And Heather- I love reading your stories about your little ones ;D

Ditto>

Me too!!! I think that was my favorite though. I can just imagine Boris' facial expression after being trounced post victory

[lorelei0922]

yeah it can quite often look and sound like they're killing each other at least! But as long as they keep bouncing back for more ... they're obviously havin a good time!