The love for exotic species of animals appeared not so long ago, but every day it becomes stronger. If earlier there was a real boom about hairless cats, now hairless sphinx rats have become the favorites. Their peculiarity is that they are devoid of wool. We invite you to learn more about these wonderful pets!
- 4.1 Health
Description of a hairless rat
The Hairless breed was created in 1932 by mutation. The reason for the appearance of an unusual rodent was simple human curiosity. The animal is called the Sphinx rat, naked rat and bald rat . This is a rather rare phenomenon, which is distinguished by a hairless body, bright pink translucent skin, and a mustache of standard length.
Here are some interesting facts that clearly describe the bald man.
- He has a friendly character and a great mind. The pet expresses its affection in an interesting way. For example, he licks the owner’s hands. The temperament of an animal is determined by genetics.
- Lives up to 3 years, and with proper care - up to 5 years . Often these individuals die very early due to various diseases and human negligence.
- The body size of adult rats ranges from 15 to 25 cm, and body weight ranges from 350 to 700 g.
- The true Sphinx has bright pink skin, without scars or spots. It is soft and velvety to the touch. A slight folding of the skin gives the pet solidity and attractiveness. Today you can find hairless rats that are black, blue, chocolate, gray or cream in color.
- Vibrissae are located on the cheeks and above the eyes. The mustache curls slightly downwards, forwards or backwards. The size of the antennae is small when compared with the whiskers of standard rats. Some individuals do not have a mustache, which is considered a genetic deviation.
- Baldies are endowed with large, wrinkled, low-set ears. The eyes are bright and can be black, red, ruby, husky, or pink. There are individuals with different eye colors.
There is no hair. The recessive hairless gene is not observed in all rats. More often, individuals have partial hair.
Rats within the breed are divided into subspecies, depending on the areas of baldness, the shape and length of the whiskers:
- Hairless - hairless;
- Naked - naked;
- Fuzzy - fluffy;
- Nude - naked;
- Shorn - shorn;
- Bald - balding.
After birth, the offspring acquire a thick coat of fur. The fur coat is gradually falling out. It is possible to determine the subspecies of the animal only until the sixth week of the cub’s life.
Advantages and disadvantages of the breed
The hairless rat will be an ideal pet for children, lonely people and allergy sufferers. The main advantages of the breed are highlighted:
- absence of unpleasant odors;
- sociability, affection for a person;
- interesting external data;
- hypoallergenic properties;
- good mind.
Disadvantages include low life expectancy. The rodent will wither if left alone .
Character
Hairless rats are very active, curious and peaceful creatures; they quickly become tamed and become attached to their beloved owner. The lack of fur obliges the owner of a bald pet to hold his little friend in his arms as often as possible, stroke, kiss the fluffy rodent, carry it in his bosom and on his shoulder. The warmth of the human body warms and calms naked animals; in response, the animal does not skimp on showing tender affection and sincere feelings.
Sphinxes very sensitively sense negative intonations in the owner’s voice; fright from a sharp cry can cause a stroke in these gentle animals. A person should communicate with babies in a gentle and friendly voice; rats instantly respond to the owner’s name and greetings, enjoying close communication and fun outdoor games.
Sphynxes are particularly clean; while walking, adults do not dirty the territory, but try to do all their toilet chores in their cage.
Varieties of Sphinx rats
Sphinx on standard
This species was obtained by mutation and crossing of ordinary standard breed rats. Sphynxes have long mustaches and sparse hair on their heads, paws and sides. The animal's soft pink skin is intertwined with coarse dark hair. A distinctive feature of the animal is the presence of circles around the eyes . Rat breeders call them “porcupines” and “spectacled rats.”
Sphinx on a rex
The breed's hairless coats are descended from rodents with curly fur. Uniqueness lies in the presence of curled mustaches, sparse wavy hairs on the head, limbs and groin. Hair is absent during the molting period.
Sphinx on Double Rex
They are a sought-after breed of rat. Individuals are distinguished by completely hairless pink wrinkled skin. Bright eyes and large ears give the rodent a mystical appearance.
Basic moments
- Despite their external pretentiousness and somewhat distant look, the Don Sphynxes are considered perhaps the most good-natured and peace-loving creatures on the planet.
- The body of representatives of this breed is always warm, if not hot, so if you urgently need a live heating pad, the Don Sphynx is happy to offer its services.
- Don Sphynxes eat much more than average cats. The increased appetite is explained by the intense metabolism inherent in all hairless purrs.
- The breed is not hypoallergenic in the full sense of the word. Nevertheless, the absence of fur makes it possible for its representatives to coexist peacefully with people with allergic reactions to the Fel D1 protein.
- Most Don Sphynx dogs show an almost dog-like attachment to one owner and have a hard time with the need to move to another family.
- In terms of care and maintenance, the breed needs increased attention, including concern for the temperature conditions of the room in which the animal lives.
- Don Sphynxes are typical kinesthetics who cannot live without touching a person once again. This is why they are often called “kissing” cats.
- These hairless eared cats love warmth and love sunbathing. But since excess ultraviolet radiation does not have the best effect on the skin of exotic pets, their exposure to sunlight must be carefully dosed.
The Don Sphynx is a bright, extraordinary appearance combined with a gentle character that is atypical for the cat family and a strong dependence on the owner. Most representatives of the breed are real “cotops”, able to simultaneously act both as a cozy sofa pet and as an inquisitive companion who willingly shares leisure time with the owner. In addition, these sophisticated creatures make excellent physiotherapists, skillfully dealing with the consequences of neuroses and other unpleasant ailments.
Rules for keeping a Sphinx rat
Place
The ideal place for a bald animal would be a large, cozy cage. Place the house in a secluded corner. It is important to exclude exposure of the rodent to drafts and sharp objects.
Correct temperature
The temperature in the room should be from +25 to +28 degrees.
Important! Dry air and too high temperatures destroy your pet's skin. It is recommended to humidify the room daily with spray bottles or special humidifiers.
Choosing a pet cage
To properly arrange a home for the Sphinx, just use these tips:
- buy a wire cage measuring at least 60x40x60 cm, equipped with a high plastic tray, a solid bottom and wide doors;
- an aquarium will create safer living conditions;
- inside the cage there is a swing, sticks, a wheel and a small house;
- large sawdust, white paper or cardboard are used as filler;
- a feeder and a drinking bowl are placed.
Before placing a pet in a new home, the cage is carefully inspected for damage and sharp corners.
Attention! It is not recommended to purchase a cage made of plastic or similar materials. After cleaning and disinfection, the material will be damaged and will release hazardous substances.
Cleaning
Clean the home once a week. The Sphinx is placed in a safe place so that the cage can be treated with disinfectants. After completing the procedure, rinse the house thoroughly under running water and dry. The drinking bowl and feeder are washed every day.
Do you groom the cage once a week?
Mandatory hygiene
Bathe your bald head once every few months. The frequency of water procedures depends on the cleanliness of the rodent. If your pet gets very dirty with food, you can bathe it once a week.
The container is filled with warm water and the rat is carefully placed in it. It is prohibited to use soap, shampoos, and other detergents. After washing, dry the Sphinx with a towel.
Hygienic procedures include trimming the claws. Special scissors and pruning shears are sold at pet stores. If a rat's claws are too long and sharp, it will scratch the other inhabitants of the cage.
Feeding
Hairless rats are barked often and in small portions. The Sphinx's favorite food is various nuts, vegetables and fruits. You can buy special food. You should not give your pet cheese, salty or fatty foods.
Group content
Sphinx lovers are advised to get a same-sex pair of animals at the same time. They will warm themselves against each other. Several individuals get along well in one area.
Important! Keeping a large number of hairless rats will not be difficult. One group is placed in a cage at a time. If pets are purchased in addition, it is better to place them in another cage. This will eliminate the aggressive behavior of the house owners towards new rats.
Communication
The Sphinx rat needs constant communication and games with its owner. Walk your pet in a safe room. The bald one will hide in the warm hands of a person and will closely observe the environment. If you trim the claws in a timely manner, the animal will not scratch its knees or shoulders while climbing.
How to choose a cage?
A rat needs a cage because it needs a place to roam and play! It is important to choose a cage in which the animal will not be exposed to danger. There should be no sharp objects that could injure the pet. Size is also important: for one animal you need at least 70 cm, and for two, respectively, 140 cm.
Breeding and reproduction
The Sphinx reaches maturity at 5 weeks of age. The young female is ready to mate 100 days after birth. The duration of pregnancy is 25 days. Hairless rats reproduce well: 8 to 12 pups are born in a litter. Zoologists recommend contacting a veterinarian before breeding Sphinxes.
The hairless rat cannot boast of maternal instincts. The owner must carefully monitor the mother's behavior. If she refuses to feed the offspring, then the owner must independently feed the pups with a special mixture.
Health and illness
Sphynx rats are susceptible to:
- acute respiratory diseases - the pet makes sounds similar to coughing;
- abscesses - purulent formations on the skin are observed;
- cardiovascular diseases - the animal is weak and inactive, obesity appears;
- skin diseases - there are rashes, wounds and scabs on the body;
- benign tumors and oncological diseases - the animal languishes, refuses to eat and drink.
After birth or purchase, the hairless rat is taken to the veterinarian. If minor deviations in the pet’s behavior are observed, it is important for the owner to immediately contact a specialist.
