Fur plays a crucial role for many animals, offering essential warmth and giving them their unique appearance. Without it, animals are exposed to the elements and can sunburn or go into hypothermic shock. Recently, a very unusual creature that initially looked like a hairless dog or possibly a cat was rescued. It turned out to be something much rarer. Last month, Hope for Wildlife, a conservation group in Nova Scotia, took in an extraordinary animal. As reported by the Canadian Press, a couple found the animal shivering in their backyard.
Last month, Hope for Wildlife, a conservation group in Nova Scotia, took in an extraordinary animal. As reported by the Canadian Press, a couple found the animal shivering in their backyard. At first glance, it appeared to be a domesticated animal, but it was actually a raccoon completely devoid of fur! Without its usual mask across her face, it was hard to recognize the creature as a raccoon. This northern raccoon had lost all its fur due to severe alopecia.
The rescue team mentioned they had seen bald raccoons before, but nothing this extreme. “It’s just tufts of fur around the snout, ankles, and feet. This is a severe case,” Hope Swinimer, the director of Hope for Wildlife, told The Canadian Press.
Although the raccoon is female, she was named Rufus after the hairless mole rat from the cartoon Kim Possible. In a Facebook post, the rescue organization mentioned that they were still investigating the cause of her hair loss, suggesting it might be due to an autoimmune disorder affecting her hair follicles.
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They ruled out other causes like parasites, mange, and fungal infections since her skin appeared healthy. Fur is vital for raccoons, keeping them warm and protecting their skin from harsh conditions. The rescuers were astonished that Rufus had survived so long without it.
“We are quite amazed that this little lady managed to make it [through] the winter without fur and without suffering from frostbite or worse!” they shared on Facebook. They also noted that Rufus had a strong-willed nature, and her survival was entirely due to her determination. However, it seemed that her rescue came just in time, as she was in poor condition when she first arrived.
“We were worried for a few hours … but she got hungry and came out. She’s getting quite feisty and we’ve seen a big improvement since she first arrived,” Swinimer told The Canadian Press. Given her situation, Rufus may stay permanently at the rescue center, where she will have a special habitat, including an outdoor space with a warm area, hammocks, and nesting boxes.
It’s remarkable to see a hairless raccoon like Rufus! Her ability to survive in the wild for so long is incredible, and it’s comforting to know she’s now in safe hands.
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