There are hairless mice that do not have the same glandular problems as Rhino mice, because not every hairless mutation is the same.
I know guinea pigs actually have 2 different kinds of hairless mutation (Baldwin and Skinny Pig) and neither mutation causes problem.
November 12, 2009
What you're looking at is a mouse afflicted with the 'rhino' mutant gene(s). It is a variant on the more comman hairless variety. It's a nasty condition to have. I'm not savvy enough with the scientific terms used in the articles about this mutation, but beyond being hairless, these creatures develop long nails, cysts, glandular problems and a series of skin disorders (obviously).
If there are any biologists our there that can distill the scientific reports into layman's terms, I would be much obliged.
Thanks for the photo, Teresa.
[Image]
posted by Raging Wombat at 6:49 AM on Dec 18, 2007
10 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formsomeone will want to breed them and make them pets.
December 19, 2007
Sadly, you might be right.
December 19, 2007
looks like a small brain with a face and tail
December 20, 2007
Very ugly....
Why are hairless animals always so wrinkly?
Poor mouse.
December 20, 2007
Poor thing. I want to knit it a sweater.
December 20, 2007
I would want one, but the whole "woefully unhealthy" thing is kind of a turnoff in a pet.
It's kind cute, in a really ugly kind of way.
December 21, 2007
Thinking about the description of the mouse's physical problems, it strikes me that what we have here is a lethal case of acne. Poor things!
December 23, 2007
We should start the knitting sweaters for hairless, lumpy mice association.
December 25, 2007
Oh nooo, poor mousie! It's pretty horrible looking, but for some reason it's triggering some maternal instincts in me...
September 21, 2009
There are hairless mice that do not have the same glandular problems as Rhino mice, because not every hairless mutation is the same.
I know guinea pigs actually have 2 different kinds of hairless mutation (Baldwin and Skinny Pig) and neither mutation causes problem.
November 12, 2009