Are you familiar with a baby hippopotamus, or have you? These adorable little guys are worth a look. Their chubby adorable bodies are so squishable that you’d wish you could have one as a pet.
It’s possible. This is not an actual baby hippos. That’s probably dangerous and illegal. But you can have a “skinny pig” as a pet. The skinny pig is neither a pig nor skinny.
Cavia porcellus is the name of a mostly hairless breed of guinea pork called skinny pigs.
They look almost exactly like mini hippopotami.
And who wouldn’t want a mini hippo as a pet? Many people!
Including some who actually believed that “house hippos” were a thing after watching a PSA from the Concerned Children’s Advertisers.
They made a fake commercial about “House Hippos” to remind viewers that what you see on TV isn’t always real.
While house hippos aren’t real, skinny pigs are and it’s basically the same thing. Although they have some fur on their legs and face, skinny pigs are almost completely hairless.
They are therefore indoor pets that need warmth and protection, according Squeaks or Nibbles.
Skinny pigs aren’t a naturally occurring species.
After the discovery of the mutation that causes hairlessness, scientists created them to aid in research. They were easier to experiment with because they didn’t have hair.
Because of their hairlessness, skinny pigs can be a bit smaller than average guinea-pigs. They weigh between 1 and 2, and measure 9 to 12 inches.
Due to their hair loss, the colors of these pigs can vary. If you mix a red-haired albino guineapig with a red-haired red-skinned guineapig, you can get red-skinned, skinny pigs.
The most common skinny pigs are black and “Dalmation” skinny pigs.
The thin pig is gaining popularity over the years as a house pet in North America and Europe.
Skinny pigs are known to be “highly social” creatures and are happiest when they have a companion whether it’s a skinny pig or a hairy guinea pig.
Because of their lack of hair, skinny pigs need space to move around and blankets and warm materials are necessary.
It’s best to use soft material like fleece bedding rather than wood chips in a skinny pig cage.
They are also prone to getting scratches and dermatitis since they don’t have hair to protect their skin.
But that lack of hair also means they don’t have to be bathed as often. According to some estimates, skinny pigs can live up to seven years on average.
So, before getting yourself a skinny pig, you’ll want to make sure you can provide them with the proper care. Consider whether you would like to encourage the breeding of a healthier alternative to the guineapig.
“In our opinion, the best way to buy a baby guinea pig is to choose one that has been bred with health as the number one priority. The same is true for any animal, of any breed,” Squeaks and Nibbles advises. “So, it might be best not to choose one bred simply for the color, the coat, or the lack thereof. Choose instead for the best interest of the breed. And of course, to provide the best quality of life for the new baby.”
Find out more about skinny pigs Here.
