Ferrets have so many unique traits and offbeat behaviors. One of my answers to “what do you see in those creatures, anyway?” is that no matter what they’re doing, they’re looking cute and having fun (yes, even when they’re getting in trouble). Ferrets never do anything halfway; whether digging a hole, finishing a bowl of duck soup, or doing a war dance, they put all their energy and attention into it… and that extends to napping!
Hocus, performing a flawless example of SND.
Ferrets play hard, so they have to sleep hard. So hard, in fact, that ferrents invented the term “SND” to describe the state that many ferrets use to nap: “Sleeping, Not Dead!” Many a new fuzzy owner has had hysterics over finding a limp, unmoving ferret that won’t respond to yells, claps, or even being touched or picked up. I had read about SND before I adopted my first ferrets, but nothing really prepares you for the panic of thinking you’ve encountered a ferret coma, or worse.
Some ferrets will be SND on a regular basis, while some rarely will. My ferret Trial was deaf, and would often fall into this deep sleep. It became a challenge to me to see how far I could transport him before he would blink, yawn, and glance around with an expression of mild surprise. Many ferrets don’t care to be held for long periods of time, so it was also nice to get in some cuddling time with him before he’d wake and want to play again.
Here are a few extra-cute examples of my former (Trick, Trial) and present (Trouble, Hocus & Pocus) dreaming fuzzies.
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They are absolutely darling!~