Trendy ferrets, a bit like a weasel, a bit like a pal who relaxes in your pocket and then drapes itself around your neck, have made their debut in the Shanghai National Wild Insect Kingdom - but they are in vogue mammals, not insects.

Each is worth thousands of yuan and is considered a trendy pet - take him or her along with you on your daily travels.

This was the first time that Chinese mainland imported ferrets from overseas, according to the staff in a recent exhibition. "After exhibition, we also plan to sell some of them," said Chen Min, with the exhibit.

The initial price is set at around 8,000 yuan (US$988) per ferret, but the price is negotiable.

The cute animals, which are no longer than half a meter and well domesticated, are very popular as home pets in Western countries in addition to dogs and cats.

They are castrated and their glands, which give of an odor, are removed to make them more appealing pets.

(Shanghai Daily October 19, 2005)