Fur is crucial for many animals because it protects them from the cold. It also provides distinct looks; certain species may be difficult to distinguish if they are completely hairless.
Rescuers have adopted a more uncommon creature that resembles a hairless cat. Continue reading to learn more about this unique species and its incredible survival.
Hope for Wildlife, a humanitarian conservation group based in Nova Scotia, acquired the oddest animal last month. According to the Canadian Press, a couple in West Arichat discovered the animal on their property, frozen and suffering from exposure.
The creature seems to be a Sphynx cat at first sight, but it is a completely hairless raccoon!
Without their characteristic fur pattern that resembles a mask, raccoons are difficult to recognize. This little animal, a northern raccoon, has severe alopecia, making it completely bald.
There have been previous reports of balding raccoons, but nothing like this, according to the rescue: “It’s just tufts of fur around the snout, ankles, and feet.” Hope Swinimer, the director of Hope for Wildlife, notified the Canadian Press that the situation was critical.
The raccoon, despite being female, has been named Rufus after a naked mole rat character in the Kim Possible cartoon.
The rescue stated on Facebook that they are still in the process of determining the cause of her hair loss, which might be an autoimmune illness causing damage to her hair follicles. They not only ruled out fungal diseases, mange, and parasites but also noticed that her skin was healthy.
Rufus’ survival for such a lengthy period shocked the rescuers, as raccoons rely on their fur to stay warm and shelter their skin from the elements.
“We are astonished that this small lady survived the winter without fur and without getting frostbite or worse!” according to a Facebook message.
They continued to remark that she was “her own doing” and had a “feisty” attitude. Despite her initial state of despair, she appears to have received a timely rescue.
We were in a panic for a few brief hours, but she eventually grew hungry and emerged. We’ve observed a tremendous shift when she first arrived, and she’s getting feisty now, Swinimer told The Canadian Press.
Given the circumstances, Rufus may wind up staying at the shelter forever. Rufus will have a specialized habitat, an outside area with a spot to crawl inside for warmth, as well as additional amenities such as hammocks and nesting boxes.
We have never seen a raccoon without hair! Rufus’s long-term survival in the wild is incredible, and we’re glad she was located and is receiving proper care.