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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2011 7:05:00 GMT -5
I'm sure it's been talked about before but we're in a new forum now and I was hoping some of you could share your experiences with both male and female... I go for the cuddlier (yes, ferrets CAN be cuddly ) type of ferret, but here's my dilemma - All the females I've been in contact with have been more cuddly and affectionate (kissy, lap ferrets) than the males, but usually it's the other way around. Now I'm starting to wonder if it would be a mistake to choose a male...? Of the two Marshall's I fostered the male was the "problem child" while the female was very sweet and didn't throw tantrums. When I volunteered at a shelter, I fell in love with a very cuddly female champagne fuzz who was so sweet, I wished I could have taken her (long story). All of the males but maybe two (out of a good 150-200 whose nails I clipped) were squirmy. Opinions? Thoughts, advice? Some said before it's how you take it with you everywhere that makes it a lap ferret, but I really want to get off on the right foot and make the correct decision here. Are there any indicators as to temperament I can look for? With a kit I realize that may be difficult, but hearing stories, opinions, and ideas for how to decide can really help. It's going to be hard to pick.
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Post by dookdook on Feb 28, 2011 8:12:41 GMT -5
I have owned two ferrets. One female, Tanuki. And my current male, Dexter. Tanuki was a bit more squimish than Dex. I would have to play her out HARD before she would cuddle up with me. Dexter is complete opposite, he'll play but anytime I pick him up, he'll curl up in my lap for a nice cuddle. I hate to say this is the case with all ferrets though, because I have seen exceptions. I still prefer the females
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Post by lozmoz on Feb 28, 2011 9:00:44 GMT -5
I thought I would never end up with a male ferret but I knew when I saw him that it was love at first sight!!!
I have always heard that males are more cuddly but I guess that's not always the case. :-)
I must have just gotten VERY lucky having Rufus as a 'first' ferret as he is a total mommas boy - he loves his cuddles :-)
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Post by Sherry on Feb 28, 2011 10:41:00 GMT -5
Most of my females, when I went to get them, were cuddly, kissy, loved being held. When I got them home was another story entirely They suddenly morphed into little hellions on wheels My males, on the other hand, became more snuggly after about the age of 3. A lot of it depends on how much out of cage time they get as well. If they are free roam(or close to it), they don't feel as though they have to spend every moment possible getting the most out of their freedom as they can. So are more willing to be snuggle bugs.
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Post by Heather on Feb 28, 2011 15:36:19 GMT -5
Ok, male vs female hmmmm. Snuggly vs maybe later Pandora La Fert (F)--- Wiggly, got to go personality Nicodemus (M) -- Couldn't sit still for a minute. Life was too short (and it was ) Porthos (M) -- heavily abused deaf kit. Once he realized you weren't going to beat him or throw him against the wall, he would snuggle by the hour Barthemaeus (M) -- always on the go, would snuggle when first waking Balthazar (M) -- same way. both boys were on the go Mayhem (M) --- total snugglebum Mad Max (M) -- way too busy, too smart, too much to do and learn Mischief (M) -- really snuggly, but may have been too ill to be anything else Zena (F) -- either sleeping or on the go. Lady "B" Itchy (F)-- Places to go, things to do, boys to rule. Attila (M)--- Big, squishy, snuggles Ghenghis (M)--- on the go but loved to snuggle, gave the best kisses Athos (M) --- squirrelly idiot..no other way to describe him Aremis (M) -- loved to snuggle Sprite (F) -- got to go, got to go...duhhhh Odin (Late alter) -- big, snuggle fuzz Thor (M)--silly but loves to snuggle Loki Bear (M) -- snugglebum Fun-Go B. Squiggly (M) -- on the go, loves to snuggle now when sleepy Natasha (F)--snuggle, what's that....oh let me taste you Boris (M)--on the go, will snuggle if forced Napoleon (M) -- what can be said, big, squishy and snuggly Calypso (F) -- would snuggle but was really too sick not to. Captain Jack (M) -- active but loves to snuggle Houdini (M) -- snuggle bum Shazam (M) -- active but loved to snuggle Yuri (M) -- will snuggle but on his own time. Pooka (F) -- will only snuggle now, at age 10 Babushka (F)-- grouchy old biddy, only snuggled after the age of 11 These are a list of the little ones who called this place home for a period long enough to get to know them. There have been others but these little ones listed lived here for a period longer than 6 months. As you can see for the most part the girls were more active but I've had my share of very active males too. I think that personality is the driving factor. I find that the girls are much more driven and less accepting of newer members into the business. In the beginning all I had were boys, and my business ran smoothly despite being 14 ferrets strong. Yes there were petty squabbles but it wasn't until I got 3 girls in the house that all of a sudden no one got along and we needed more playgroups. For the most part the boys would and will snuggle more than the girls. You also have to remember than only a few of my guys were under the age of 3 when they actually came through the door. More often they were closer to 5 or so ciao
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Post by goingpostal on Feb 28, 2011 16:13:09 GMT -5
I've had more cuddly males than females, I had one female, Precious who liked to be carried around and showed the world, but not necessary kissed and squeezed. Hobo and Pandora, the other females were/are more hi, and go! I have a male now who loves to be petted and loved on, he is the most adorable thing because he'll lay on his back and rub his face and arch his back like a dang cat or something. James and I joke it only took 8 to find one who likes being petted.
I love big fat males, but IME the females seem to be smarter and sneakier and I like that quite a bit too. As Heather said though, my females have been way less accepting of new ferrets and actually downright vicious at first. The age thing might be a factor as well, all my females were 6 months or younger when I got them and all the males were 3+ years. I only have one female now and the rest males. You can't go wrong with either sex really IMO.
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Post by taratee on Feb 28, 2011 16:42:28 GMT -5
i think it all comes down to how bonded you are with the ferret. steven is more bonded with tia and she snuggles with him and im more bonded with icha and he will come to me for snuggles, i like the boys better they tend to be a little more even keel as far as tantrums icha had them bad when we first got him but he stopped. i can only see one soulution get one of each
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Post by lc on Feb 28, 2011 17:49:03 GMT -5
Out of 4 ferrets I've only had one female and she is the least likely to stay still for a pet let alone fall asleep on you. My adam was an only ferret for a while since being a kit and he prefered human company to that of his fuzzy counterparts.
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Post by whiteboy on Feb 28, 2011 18:29:00 GMT -5
pandora (F) is always on the go axel (M) when first got him cuddled now that he has discovered more than the 3x3 he was in when we got him he is always on the go and trying to escape out of his play room. that all my exp i have kinda new to this and wish either of them wouldatleast look at me other than a play toy.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2011 18:41:54 GMT -5
My boys are L-A-Z-Y! I've only had experience with 1 female. I had a play date with a little lady ferret and my two boys and she was... nasty. Poor Jack tried everything to be friends. He kept rolling on his back to show submission and tucking his head under to offer his neck and she did nothing but hiss at him Brady was too young to understand her hisses meant back off - I'm pretty sure she would have done some damage. I doubt all females are like this, but thats my experience. Boys are submissive, females dom.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2011 19:22:13 GMT -5
My experience with females is that they are less snuggly.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2011 20:01:32 GMT -5
Pretty much the same here... My boys are about 50/50 on cuddle vs. busy time and will cuddle anyone when they're in the mood, Akiko is more like 15/85 but I think her cuddles are extra special since they don't happen as often and she's picky about who, so you know she really means it!
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Post by joan on Feb 28, 2011 23:02:57 GMT -5
I've had two hobs who were cuddley, both were sweet but not too bright. My experience has been that the more intelligent they are, the less cuddley they tend to be. I do have one 4 year old hob who is very bonded to me and will occasionally curl up beside me if I'm sitting on the futon when he's ready for a nap.
The only time I've had a jill who was willing to be cuddled was when she was pregnant...or thought she was. The rest of the time, they're too busy with their own affairs to be willing to stay still that long. They're willing to give me a few kisses, then want down.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2011 2:37:29 GMT -5
i think it all comes down to how bonded you are with the ferret. steven is more bonded with tia and she snuggles with him and im more bonded with icha and he will come to me for snuggles, i like the boys better they tend to be a little more even keel as far as tantrums icha had them bad when we first got him but he stopped. i can only see one soulution get one of each Ahahaha, Tara! I don't know, what if both ended up being anti-snuggle? Question guys - If it all boils down to personality, which seems to be the general consensus, though leaning towards males - how can you pick the proper kit, how can you evaluate a personality at a young age?
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Post by Heather on Mar 2, 2011 2:45:10 GMT -5
Good question. Napoleon would have been the last ferret in the world that would be a good snuggler, yet that's what he turned into. He's been my only "baby" ferret. Nicodemus was my other baby fuzz but he was too sick to judge what personality type he was. He was really good at snuggling when he was a baby but he was too sick to stay awake for long. He turned into one of those ferrets who wanted a quick kiss and then he was gone. Maybe, Joan, Marie or Heather can pop in and tell us how they pick their snugglier fuzzes out of their more active ones when they're kits. ciao
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