Ferrets smell less if you keep cleaning the cage out regularly and get either a jill, or a neutered jack.

Ferrets are lovely animals, much nicer than some men I've dated (and a lot less smelly, even when left whole!!), and there is no reason for them to be vicious unless you hurt them or treat them badly. My granfer used to keep them as working animals, and yes, he kept them in his trousers. They'd get out through the hole in his pocket (he had very deep pockets anyway) and rummage around in his trouser legs. Great fun to watch when you are 6.....

LTS