Introducing my new Skinny Pig.

Picked up my new little girl last night. She is called Lunar, hope you like her.

Was it intentionally bred like that, and if so, for what reason?

Aw look at that little fluffy nose!

She looks lovely but if she is bred to be hairless, I am not sure I agree with that. Same with other animals, that should have fur but are bred not to. Just my opinion.

Very cute, reminds me of a hippo! xxx

The origins of the skinny pig come from lab guinea pigs.

http://exoticpets.about.com/od/guine...skinnypigs.htm

They are bred that way.

I seem to remember being told that skinny pigs are the same mutation of the rex gene that gives you the sphynx cats but where as the sphynx came round naturally - and have occurred for years - the skinny pigs were a manipulated mutation rather than a natural one.

She has furry boots too, well cute

And you are indeed entitled to your opinion They are not everyones cup of tea and are not accepted for showing but they should be perfectly healthy with the same life expectancy and issues as their hairy counterparts providing they come from the right lines and not byb.

Yes they are hippo like. The pink ones even more so!!!

Cutie, what age is she? Does the skin need special care like the Chinese Cresteds?

She is 7 weeks. No they don't need any extra care. Just need to be kept inside for obvious reasons and they eat a lot more than usual guinea pigs but other than that no different.