Hairless Hamsters are the 3rd Coat Length Modifier. They were discovered some time before 1972, although the exact year is unknown, this is the year the first research article was written about them. They had popped up in a group of Syrian Hamsters of the Golden/Agouti mutation.
This Coat Length Modifier is Recessive to the Short Coated Gene. [1] Any females used cannot be hairless and must be Hairless Carriers. Hairless females cannot lactate and thus any pups born will die of starvation.
This Coat Length Modifier is Recessive to the Short Coated Gene. [1] Any females used cannot be hairless and must be Hairless Carriers. Hairless females cannot lactate and thus any pups born will die of starvation.
Ethics of Hairless Hamsters [Important, please read]
Hairless Hamsters are considered on the whole to be an unethical mutation, the reasoning for this is as such:
- Hairless Hamsters have been known to have increased rate of Cancer and Tumors.
- Hairless Hamsters have a higher incidence of dry skin compared to coated Hamsters due to lack of protection from dry air, dust and the natural oils of the fur.
- Thermoregulation is more difficult and the environment needs to be temperature controlled.
- They cannot live on Woodshavings or Sawdust due to the lack of fur it's extremely uncomfortable for them and there is no protection from the dust and phenols getting onto the skin.
- Their enviroment needs to be carefully planned as any sharp pieces of wood, plastic, etc. Can cut the skin very easily. Hamsters have tissue paper thin skin and no fur means no protection from that.
- Hairless hamsters also lack Vibrasse which is their main way of seeing the world. Hamsters have extremely bad eyesite and rely on their Ears, Vibrasse and Smell. Hairless Hamsters only Hear and smell the world.
Hairless |
hrhr |
Silky the Hairless Hamster.
©Oregon Human Society
References
[1] NIXON, C. (1972). Hereditary hairlessness in the Syrian golden hamster. Journal of Heredity, 63(4), pp.215-217.
