Some people have been singing about wanting a hippopotamus for Christmas for years, it may have sounded ridiculous, however, if they had known about “house hippos,” their desire would not have seemed quite so absurd after all.
If you belong to any of the fun “Weird Second Hand Finds” Facebook groups, you will soon see a lot of discussion and excitement over finding the perfect House Hippo. A house hippo can be any hippo you bring into your home. It can be ceramic, stone, or, as one lucky recent poster shared, uranium glass. But while house hippos might not be real, skinny pigs are, and you can have one as a pet.
Simply put, these little naked pigs are also referred to as “skinny pigs.”
Skinny pigs are a type of guinea pig that is mainly or entirely hairless. The majority of slender pigs are hairless throughout, while some have patches of fur on their faces and legs. Due to genetics that were partially acquired from traditionally farmed guinea pigs, slim pigs may even have extremely thin or fuzzy fur on their backs. Although they come in a range of hues and designs, the black ones are undoubtedly the most hippo-like.
But imagine waking up in the morning to the sound of a tiny hippopotamus squealing with joy at the sight of your face. Evidently, that is what it’s like to share a home with a guinea pig without hair.
Owners of skinny pigs claim that their animals are friendly, outgoing, and very lovable. The majority of them prefer a compatible companion of the same species, yet they can get desensitized to other animals and people. It could take some time to get used to touching a furless animal, but skinny pigs make for lovely companions if they’re used to being handled. If your skinny pig learns that you provide a dependable heat source when they are feeling chilly, they might be even friendlier to you in the winter.
They’re also perfect for those with allergies since their lack of hair makes them safe to be around.
It’s not the first time that hairless guinea pigs have unexpectedly shot to fame in the animal world. This kind of guinea pig has only been present since the late 1970s; they were created through some cross-breeding that took place in a laboratory back in the 1980s. Since then, they have gained enormous popularity as pets in North America and Europe. And they require a little bit more attention than their more common, hair-covered siblings.
Skinny pigs make great small pets, with their friendly personality and unusual look. They are just having similar care to typical guinea pigs, so, if you already have experience with small pets, you’ll have a great time caring for them.
Watch it here: Dylan/Youtube
Sources: Awm, Homeandroost, Squeaksandnibbles