could tell that he was rather old....looks kinda like my old boy did when he was around 8. the 2 i had previously and these 2 i got as kits, i prefer the idea of having them grow up with me, the few rescues i have had anything to do with have been satanic! I used to keep my intact male inside, he just used to get a bath every 10 days or so when the smell used to get to much. Their enclosure outside has an underground retreat that goes 3 feet underground so they can escape the heat, but most of the time if we are home they will be inside with me. I do know what your saying already but it is good to get it out there, there are alot of people that i know on this forum and others that have recently got ferrets for the first time and they might not know.