TWH..I don't know about other ferrets, Deckster was my first and last ferret, and I have heard that some can be nippy and unfriendly. Anyone that came into contact with Deckster had their perceptions of ferrets changed. He was a real sweetie and never once offered to bite, even when I gave him baths. I tried to teach him to swim in the pool, no dice, but he liked riding around on the big floaty chair, and would walk on a harness and leash. Ferrets are notorious for stealing small objects and hiding them. He once stole a bag of Hershey kisses, and I didn't find it until we moved. It was under the dining room hutch...sans the candy of course.
Anne..Ferrets aren't native, they are sold in pet stores and are supplied primarily by one major breeder in the United States.
http://marshallferrets.com/marshall-baby-ferrets They are tattooed to designate where they came from, and this is where Deckster was born.
I found out that Deckster was turned loose by our white trash neighbors down the block when they got tired of him. I swore the person that told me this to secrecy that I had him as I was not about to return him to their grubby hands if they came knocking.
We lived in Texas then. In some localities ferrets are considered exotic animals and are banned by city ordinance..why I can't think since I don't see much difference in having a guinea pig or ferret.
Ferrets are highly predisposed to adrenal disease and tumors. Because of this their life span is generally about 4 years on the average. Deckster was no exception and began developing the disease at about three, he was only a baby when he came to us, as he had not even developed his mask yet. Finally, at about four years old he was humanely euthanized, and I have his ashes along with all the previous Gangstas.