Picture of the day - July 8, 2008

Three cute and cuddly ferret kits

Today's picture features three very cute and cuddly ferret kits, apparently stacked one on top of another for either protection or comic effect (I'll leave it to you to determine which). Either way, they look so cute and innocent that it would be hard not to take them home with you if you ever got the chance! Ferrets are very interesting animals to say the least. They are closely related to skunks - so closely related in fact that they can and do interbreed to create hybrid offspring. The islands of New Zealand are home to the world's largest population of feral ferret-polecat hybrids due to the mass introduction of the animals by farmers in an effort to control the enormous rabbit population way back in 1877 (a move which resulted in a number of unintended negative consequences). These cuddly creatures are used quite extensively by hunters in various parts of the world to catch rabbits and other small game animals, but today ferrets are kept primarily as pets in most countries - and they make quite good ones at that! Besides, did I mention the fact that they are really cute and cuddly?     Visitor Comments... Name: Phyllis Helton Town: Bristol, VA I love the picture. Have you ever noticed that anytime you introduce a foreign species to an area it does more harm than good, ie. Chinese chestnuts, kudzu, starlings, etc?     Name: Rick Rouse Town: Abingdon, VA Yes, I have noticed that Phyllis. I guess we'll never learn...   Click here to comment on this picture.   Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!     Submit a photo of your own!                                 Place the "Picture of the Day" on your website, for free! Why I publish the "Picture of the Day"