Complete List Of Animals Without Fur That You Won't Believe

Oluniyi Akande
Oct 27, 2023 By Oluniyi Akande
Originally Published on Nov 24, 2021
Animals without fur prefer to remain near a warm body.
Age: 3-18
Read time: 8.2 Min

Are you aware that many animals in the world do not have fur on their bodies?

Fur covers the bodies of almost all creatures, notably mammals. Fur is a coating of fine hair that protects animals from predators and harsh environmental conditions.

During the colder months, this fur serves as a woolen blanket, keeping the animal warm. It also helps in the camouflage of animals in order to hide from predators.

Some animals do not have any fur on their bodies. It's because these hairless animals don't require any additional protection from the sun, the weather, or predators.

These creatures are usually found underground or in bodies of water. As they are not exposed to light or harsh environmental conditions, animals living underground do not require fur. Since it would be impossible for them to swim with fur, most marine creatures also do not have hair.

Some animals may also lose hair or fur due to some genetic defect or have a hairless gene. These animals with no fur require more care.

Some of the most popular hairless animals that are born bald are the hairless guinea pig, the hairless baboon, the hairless khala, bald squirrels, skinny pigs, the featherless owl, and several more. After reading about the life of a hairless mammal or a bird, also check out facts about the dog mouth and goat hair.

List Of Animals Without Fur

Mammalian fur or hair is an important biological feature. It shields the animals from the sun's heat, cold weather, and predators.

There are, however, a variety of creatures that do not have fur on their bodies. Some of these hairless animals can be found underground or in the waters below.

Due to their habitat, they may not require protection from harsh weather conditions and may simply hide from their predators. Some animals also lose their fur due to feather disease or some genetic disorder.

Other animals may have skin diseases that result in sudden hair loss in a few animals. Have you ever wondered which animals don't have fur on their bodies?

Below is a list of animals without fur:

Hairless Syrian hamsters: This is an extremely rare, tiny creature. They were once known as 'alien hamsters'. They have a 6 to 9 month lifespan.

Chinese crested dogs: There are two types of Chinese crested dogs; one with fur and one without it. They are little dogs with a unique appearance. Their average lifespan is 13-15 years.

Xolo: This dog is often known as a Mexican hairless dog. Some of these dogs are born with fur. It is usually found in Mexico.

Peruvian Inca Orchid: This is a hairless dog found in Peru. People who are sensitive to pet hair often adopt a Peruvian hairless dog.

Dolphins: When dolphins are born, they have hair on their heads, which later falls out. The blubber, which is a thick fat layer under the skin, provides them protection.

Whales: Wales also have blubber which keeps them warm but they don't have any hair.

Hairless rats: Hairless rats are very skinny and are not usually found easily. Their life span is 6-12 months. They need extra care as their immunity is not very developed.

Babirusa: This animal is also known as a deer-pig and it is found in Indonesia.

Sphynx cats: They are well-known species of hairless cats that do not have fur. They are prone to heart diseases and hence, require a lot of care.

Bambino: This is a mixed cat breed that does not have hair. It has short legs and pointy ears.

Hairless horse: Some horses do not have hair or fur on their bodies due to a genetic disorder.

Donskoy: It is a hairless animal that may have some hair with bald spots.

Hairless bear: Some female bears are hairless due to disease or skin conditions. They may also have sudden hair loss.

Peterbald: It is a mixed breed cat of Russian origin and sometimes, they may have some hair.

Hairless guinea pigs: The hairless guinea pig is also known as a skinny pig. It is 9-12 inches long. Its life span is around 5-7 years.

Hippopotamus: It has a few hair strands near its mouth and on its tail. They have thick skin.

Are there dogs without fur?

Yes! There are a few dog breeds that have no hair on their bodies.

Some are hairless, while others have a few hair strands in a few areas, such as the tail or head. There are few hybrids among these hairless dogs breed. Due to a disease or other condition, some dog breeds may not have hair on their bodies.

The hairless breed dogs require extra care to avoid skin infections or disorders since their skin is exposed to dirt and sunlight. Here are a few hairless breeds of dogs that do not have fur:

Ecuadorian hairless dog: They are native to Ecuador and are very rare.

Chinese crested dog: There are two varieties; hairless and powderpuff dogs.

Argentine pila dog: They are native to Argentina. Some may have a feathery coat on the head or tail. They are short and have pointed ears.

Xoloitzcuintli: It is also commonly called a Mexican hairless dog. They are tiny creatures that have short, rectangular bodies. They are very loyal.

Jonangi: This is a rare breed of dog. They are found in India. They have curled tails and wrinkled foreheads.

Abyssinian Sand Terrier: It is also known as an African hairless dog. It has a sleek body and bat-like ears. It may have hair on top of the head or tail tip.

Peruvian Inca orchid: Also known as the Peruvian hairless dog, they are found in Peru. They have long and lean bodies.

Hairless khalas: They are also called Bolivian hairless dogs. It is a rare breed of dog which is found in Bolivia. They may have short or long legs.

American hairless terrier: They are mixed breed dogs and are hairless. They have small and muscular bodies.

Fur covers the bodies of almost all creatures

Which cats do not have fur?

There are a few kinds of cats that are hairless, much like dogs. Some are completely devoid of fur, while others may have peach fuzz. The majority of hairless cat breed members are hybrids.

The animals' fur protects them from excessive heat, severe colds, and skin problems. Its absence might create several issues.

Hairless cats demand a lot more attention than regular cats. To avoid skin disorders, they may require warm clothing in the winter, sunscreen in the summer, and regular showers. Some of the cat breeds which do not have fur or hair on their bodies are listed below:

Sphynx: This is the most common hairless cat. It is a hybrid and may have patches of hair on its face, tail, and legs. They are quite popular among the pet population. They are lean and have wrinkles on their heads.

Dwelf: It is a mixed breed of cat. They have short legs and their ears are curled. They may not have whiskers and eyebrows.

Minskin: It is a hybrid of Sphynx cats and munchkins. They have short legs.

Bambino: They may be completely hairless or may have very fine hair on the face, tail, ears, or legs. It is a mixed breed of Sphynx cat and a munchkin.

Elf: This is also a mixed breed. It is slightly larger than the dwelf cat. It has soft skin and may have hair on the ears, nose, tail, and legs. They have muscular bodies.

Ukrainian levkoy: These furless cats are a mixed breed of cat. They have long and slender bodies.

Donskoy: This cat is also known as the Russian hairless cat or Don Sphynx. They can develop hair during winters and shed it later. They have muscular bodies.

Peterbald: They may or may not have hair at birth and if they do, they may shed this hair later. They have long legs and pointed ears.

Lykoi: It is popularly known as a ‘werewolf cat’. They may not be completely hairless and have few strands on various parts of the body. They have short tails.

How many mammals do not have fur?

Body hair or fur is one of the important traits of mammals, however, there are a few mammals that do not have hair or fur on their bodies. Some of them may have a few patches of hair or extremely fine peach fuzz.

Most hairless mammals have other unique features that protect them from predators and harsh weather. The majority of these species are aquatic while others came from marine mammals. Some of the mammals which do not have hair or fur on their bodies are listed below:

Dolphins: They have hair on their heads only at the infant stage. This patch is shed later in life. They have blubber which is a thick layer of fat present under the skin. It keeps them warm.

Whales: Almost all the species of whales are hairless. Some species like humpbacks have hair follicles on their head. They also have blubber for protection.

Hippopotamus: They have very thick skin to protect them from predators. To avoid sunlight, they stay in the water. They may have hair near their mouth and on their tail.

Elephant: They lose hair as they grow up. They do not require body hair as they live in hot and dry places.

Hairless Guinea Pigs: Hairless guinea pigs have a short lifespan and are often known as skinny pigs.

Rhinoceros: They have thick skin for protection. Some may have a few strands on the tail or ears.

Naked mole rats: They have hair-like whiskers on their face, legs, and tails.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for animals without fur then why not take a look at ant antenna, or walrus facts.

We Want Your Photos!
We Want Your Photos!

We Want Your Photos!

Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Email your photos

More for You

See All

Written by Oluniyi Akande

Doctorate specializing in Veterinary Medicine

Oluniyi Akande picture

Oluniyi AkandeDoctorate specializing in Veterinary Medicine

With an accomplished background as a Veterinarian, SEO content writer, and public speaker, Oluniyi brings a wealth of skills and experience to his work. Holding a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Ibadan, he provides exceptional consulting services to pet owners, animal farms, and agricultural establishments. Oluniyi's impressive writing career spans over five years, during which he has produced over 5000 high-quality short- and long-form pieces of content. His versatility shines through as he tackles a diverse array of topics, including pets, real estate, sports, games, technology, landscaping, healthcare, cosmetics, personal loans, debt management, construction, and agriculture.

Read full bio >