Fur is so important for many animals, providing much-needed protection from the cold. It also gives them their distinct looks — there are some animals that, when completely bald, you might not recognize at all.
Recently, rescuers took in a creature that looks like a hairless cat but is something much rarer. Read on to learn more about this unique creature and her unlikely survival…
Last month, Hope for Wildlife, a nonprofit conservation organization in Nova Scotia, welcomed an extraordinary new resident. As reported by the Canadian Press, a couple from West Arichat found this unusual creature in their backyard, shivering in the cold.
Though it resembles a Sphynx cat at first glance, the animal is not a feline but a hairless raccoon.
Facebook/Hope For Wildlife
It’s certainly unusual to see a raccoon without its distinctive mask-like fur pattern. This particular northern raccoon is completely bald due to severe alopecia.
While Hope for Wildlife has encountered other cases of hairless raccoons, this one is unprecedented. “It’s just tufts of fur around the snout, ankles, and feet. This is a severe case,” Hope Swinimer, director of Hope for Wildlife, told The Canadian Press.
Despite being female, the raccoon has been named Rufus, inspired by the naked mole rat character from the cartoon Kim Possible.
On Facebook, the rescue organization mentioned that the exact cause of her hair loss remains undiagnosed. It could be an autoimmune disorder affecting her hair follicles, though they have ruled out parasites, mange, and fungal infections since her skin appears healthy.
Facebook/Hope For Wildlife
Raccoons rely heavily on their fur to stay warm and protect their skin from the elements, so rescuers were astonished that Rufus had managed to survive for so long without it.
“We are truly amazed that this little lady made it through the winter without fur and without suffering from frostbite or worse!” they shared on Facebook.
They added that she had a “feisty” personality and that “her successful survival was all her own doing.” Even so, it seems like she was rescued just in time, as she was reportedly “down and out upon arrival.”
“We were quite concerned for a few hours, but once she got hungry, she perked up. She’s becoming quite spirited, and we’ve seen significant improvement since she arrived,” Swinimer told The Canadian Press.
Given her situation, Rufus may become a permanent resident of the shelter. She will have a specially designed habitat, including an outdoor area with a cozy space to stay warm, along with amenities like hammocks and nesting boxes.
We’ve never seen a hairless raccoon before! It’s incredible that Rufus has managed to survive in the wild for so long, and we’re glad she was found and is now in good care.
