Hairless guinea pigs: features, breeds and contents

Bald guinea pigs are outlandish creatures that so far are less common in pet stores than their furry counterparts. But, nevertheless, they still exist, and they even have their fans who are ready to buy such original pets and spend large sums of money on them.

Bald guinea pig never existed in the wild. Such unusual animals were bred artificially thanks to some lab tests. As a result of gene mutations in 1978, a completely different type of pigs accidentally turned out to have lost all of its hair as they grew older.

This discovery was made by Armad Frappy, in Canada. However, to bring out a purebred naked pig, it took another 4 years. So, already in 1982, bald animals of this species with an excellent immune system were born. But most often artificially bred mumps were susceptible to various diseases and did not live long. This breed was called "skinny." A little later, another breed of pigs was bred, which was given the name "baldwin."

The first bald pigs were almost all white and had very red, eerie eyes. However, a little later pigs with different colors and not so red eyes were obtained. If we talk about experiments, they were carried out not only in order to obtain an unusual animal, but for various dermatological studies. After all, guinea pigs in their body have a gland, which helps to form a new immune system in humans. For this reason, many people try to get such an unusual pig at home.

Both options are very popular not only among ordinary people, but also among serious breeders.In addition, these two mutations are considered recessive. This means that after crossing naked pigs with those that have hair, the offspring will be with hair. However, a gene can occur in any generation. That is, from one brood of pigs, one cub will be necessarily bald.

If we talk about the appearance of these animals, then they are not completely bald, they still have a fluff. And, nevertheless, it is quite possible to buy bald pigs for people who are allergic to wool.

Many guinea pig lovers are repelled by the appearance of these animals. However, those who have already tried to grow them speak only positively of them. They are calm, and in life remain peaceful and affectionate. Experts recommend buying bald pigs for small children. After all, communication with them will help to significantly improve the mood of children, as well as relieve depression in adults.

Even bald pigs get used to various sounds and interestingly respond to them. For example, if they hear the sound of a refrigerator opening, they will happily whistle. This means that they are waiting for the owner to feed them something tasty. In addition, the pig remembers other sounds, which is pretty funny. Many owners even specifically train their pets. Pigs respond to the rustling of a packet, the ringing of a telephone, the slamming of a door if these sounds are accompanied by anything pleasant for them.

Bald pets need attention. If you want the pig to be complacent and affectionate, often pick it up, lay it next to you when watching a movie, talk to it and stroke it.

There are two types of bald handsome men - baldwin and skinny. Many people think that there is only one species of these animals, and therefore pigs are often called sphinxes. However, this judgment is incorrect. These are two completely different breeds, the differences of which must be examined in more detail.

First you need to get acquainted with the first bred breed of these interesting animals. The length of their body does not exceed 34 centimeters. The weight of the male is up to one kilogram, but the females are slightly smaller. The skin feels soft to the touch and slightly resembles the surface of a velor. However, these animals have a small fluff, which is located on the neck, head and shoulders. Color they have gray, white or chocolate. In some cases, you can find multicolor pigs.

The skinny head is large but neat at the same time. The eyes are very expressive, with red or black color. The ears of this breed of pigs are wide and rounded. The head is placed on a small stocky neck. Her body is well developed, with smooth legs. Each of them has quite movable fingers. The tail is very small, so it is almost invisible.

Since close relatives participated in the crossing process, it often happens that at birth pigs have some pathologies. They are completely different - this is an irregular shape of the body, and curved legs. More often than not, they don’t interfere with life, but for breeding subsequent offspring, such individuals should not be allowed.

These guinea pigs are characterized by great mobility and noise. If they break out, they can squeak loudly or squeal. At the same time, males have more emotions, moreover, they are more affectionate than females. They live no more than 9 years if they are provided with good care.

These guinea pigs were bred from an existing skinny breed, but they differ in their genotype. These animals are slightly smaller in size. Their length does not exceed 25 centimeters, respectively, and their weight is less. Their skin is warm and completely bald, to the touch it is like soft rubber.The color is different, the pig can be black, and brown, and pink-black.

Babies are completely born in wool, but after 5 days they begin to bald, and after 2 weeks they are almost naked. Their body is slightly wrinkled, this is especially noticeable in the crown of the head, shoulders, and also near the legs. Their ears slightly resemble rose petals in shape and hang very freely. The baldwin’s head is large, and the eyes are very expressive, with a dark or light color.

Bald guinea pigs require not only a warm room, but also proper nutrition and regular care.

How many pigs live is determined primarily by their care and living conditions. The cage must be spacious, an area of ​​50 centimeters. Very often, instead of cells, aquariums are used so that there are no drafts. In addition, a lamp for heating is already mounted in them.

The bottom of the cell must be covered with sawdust.. However, the filings should be small so that they cannot damage the delicate skin of the mumps. If this is a special cage, then you need to make sure that it closes, while the valve should be good. Indeed, some pigs can easily open it.

Although bald pigs do not need to be combed daily, caring for them is still necessary. This breed of pigs is too sensitive to temperature extremes, and this should be treated responsibly. Pets will need special care in order for them to feel comfortable.

Since the pigs are completely hairless, there is a chance that they can get sick. Therefore, their place of residence should be not only comfortable, but also very warm. The temperature in the room should not fall below 21 degrees, otherwise the animals begin to freeze. If you need to move them to another place in cold weather, then the container must be insulated.

If it’s summer, and the temperature rises above 25 degrees, experts recommend putting a fan for the animals. However, the air should not be directed to the pigs, but to the side so that they are not stretched. In addition, the skin must be regularly lubricated with any baby cream. If this is not done, then it will become dry and peel off.

Also, these animals need to cut their claws from time to time so that they do not accidentally damage themselves with sharp claws. In addition, it is necessary to regularly change the litter. It is recommended to do this once every 3 days, and also once a week it is necessary to completely wash the entire cell and treat it with various disinfectants. It should be understood that immediately after treatment, the pig should not be placed in the cage so that it does not breathe harmful fumes. Let the dwelling be aired first.

Generally speaking, bald beauties eat 2 times more than simple guinea pigs. This is because they have an increased metabolism, respectively, they need more food. In addition, life expectancy directly depends on their diet. They should eat according to the rules, since any overfeeding or malnutrition can even lead to death. Therefore, those involved in the breeding of these animals need to know what their diet should consist of. It must include the following products:

• 65% of fresh hay or succulent grass, it depends on the season;
• 15-20% of fresh fruits or vegetables: you can give carrots, and apples, and beets;
• 15-20% of cereals, which are best given sprouted or granular (such grain additives can be purchased at any specialized store);
• chalk or vitamin mixtures can be added;
• water should be given daily, and it is best to change it three times a day, and even more often in the summer.

You also need to familiarize yourself with the list of products that are strictly prohibited for this breed:

• onions or garlic;
• tomatoes or any mushrooms;
• meat;
• sweet or salty foods.

If any of the listed products gets into the feed, it can even lead to death. The same applies to their starvation.

If we talk about the puberty of bald guinea pigs, then it comes very early: in females it is 2.5 months, and in males a little later - at 3 months. However, there is no need to rush into mating, because at this time the body is not yet fully formed. You can start breeding bald guinea pigs from seven or eight months. Animals are already quite developed and able to breed. However, they should not be thin and small.

After the pets have lived for a year, breeding may not work if the pigs get fat. Overfeeding them is not worth it. But too early pregnancy can have some complications that can lead to the death of babies. The gestation of the young in pigs lasts from 2 months to 70 days. One brood, as a rule, consists of 5-6 babies. Breeding can take place at any time of the year and also more than once a year, because the timing of gestation is very short.

In addition, it is necessary to know that during pregnancy the female should receive a little more food, but she does not need to overfeed her, as this will negatively affect the birth. The main thing is that vitamins E and B must be included in the diet. After the appearance of the babies, the “mother” must be allowed to rest for at least 4-5 months, and only after that she can be allowed to go back to the male.

To know how to choose the right partners for crossing bald pigs, you need to familiarize yourself with some rules.

• If one animal is a representative of the Baldwin guinea pig, and the second is a skinny, then the babies that appear will be simple, with hair. But the subsequent offspring will have a 50% gene of one of the crossed representatives. However, experts do not recommend propagating guinea pigs in this way.
• If both representatives of the skinny breed are crossed, their offspring will be completely bald.
• The same applies to representatives of the guinea pigs baldwin. Kids will be completely bald.
• If you cross the sea beauty of a skinny with an ordinary pig having wool, then the probability that their offspring will be bald is zero. And yet it is possible that some of them will be carriers of this gene, which means that in the future you can get a bald pig.

In general, pig breeding must be approached responsibly. Especially for those who do this for a reason, but in order to earn some money on a rare breed.

To summarize, we can say that bald guinea pigs are ideal pets. Indeed, due to their appearance, they are hypoallergenic, which allows you to keep them even for those people who suffer from allergies. In addition, it will be boring with such "friends", because they are very mobile and cheerful.

Features of the content of guinea pigs of the breed Baldwin, see the next video.