Adorable Hairless Guinea Pigs, Known As 'Skinny Pigs' Look Like Tiny Baby Hippos

The skinny pig is an almost hairless breed of guinea pig they typically have hair on their muzzles. But their bodies are completely hairless. The hairless strain was a spontaneous genetic mutation that was first identified at Montreal's Armand Frappier Institute in 1978.

They require special care due to their lack of fur: "Because they lack a fur coat, they get cold easily so they must be an indoor pet," Mother Nature Network reported. "If they are permitted some outdoor time on warm days, they need sunscreen to protect their sensitive skin. "They also eat more than regular guinea pigs. This is because they have a higher metabolism as their bodies work harder to stay warm." MNN added that a fur coat acts as a "soft armor" for normal guinea pigs, so owners of hairless skinny pigs "need to be extra careful to protect their pets from harm." "I have to make sure the house stays in the 70s because of his lack of fur and I don't take him out of the house unless it's warm," Anthony told Insider. "I keep him shaded from the sun when I do take him out so he doesn't burn."