When Silky the hamster arrived at the Oregon Humane Society in Oregon one thing was immediately obvious. The hamster didn’t have any hair and she was shivering. A concerned staffer, animal technician Selene Mejia, noticed and decided to crochet the tiny hairless pet a sweater.
Silky is hairless due to a genetic mutation and won’t grow any hair. But thanks to her hand-knit garment she’ll be cozy and warm for the winter months.
Silky doesn’t wear the sweater all the time. The Oregon Humane Society (OHS) says she only wears it for special occasions. Otherwise, she spends the majority of her time “au naturale” in a warm, clean habitat.
The Oregon Humane Society says that despite having no hair, Silky is just like any other hamster. “While she isn’t fluffy like a normal hamster, she is just as cuddly and playful as any other hamster,” says Diana Gabaldon with OHS. “She does need to be kept in a heated environment, especially during the winter, and have a higher protein diet to keep her warm.”
Silky is recovering from an eye infection, but once she’s better, the humane society hopes to find her a loving home.
Share this cute critter with your family and friends.
Silky reminds me a bit of Ludwik the hairless guinea pig, who is also adorably “naked”.
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