Do you guys remember that commercial that aired on TV years ago that was basically a PSA about not believing everything you see on TV?
Come on, you remember. It was set up like a nature documentary about the elusive "North American House Hippo," and we all instantly fell in love with the idea of actually having a mini hippo running around our kitchens at night?
Yup, an ad meant to remind us that TV isn't always honest had me convinced there was a tiny hippo hiding in my house somewhere.
I'm pretty sure I even started actively looking for miniature hippos around my house, fully believing that if I stared at the kitchen floor long enough, I'd see one and (fingers crossed) maybe even catch one!
I added them to the list of other hard pills I had to swallow as a kid (no Santa Claus, no Easter Bunny, no Tooth Fairy), and I moved on with my life.
But if you also resigned yourself to a sad, boring world without house hippos, I have excellent news for you: they actually exist!
Known as "Skinny Pigs", this particular breed of guinea pig is naturally hairless, save for a few whiskers on their muzzles, feet, and legs, and is the result of cross-breeding done in 1978.
Back then, scientists bred a hairless guinea pig with one of their hairless lab strains and bam — this adorably bizarre hippo-looking rodent was born!
Although they may look super different from those furry guinea pigs you're used to seeing, these silky cuties aren't actually all that different from their hairless counterparts.
The only real difference is that these guys need to eat more to maintain their body temperature, and should always have proper access to cozy blankets so they can warm themselves up.
So owners should always apply sunblock to their little piggy's skin if they're going to be spending a lot of time in direct sunlight. Oh, and they're prone to dry skin, but frequent application of lotion will take care of that easily!
No, they're not actual house hippos, and no, you won't find them snacking on their favorite foods (i.e.: "chips, raisins, and the crumbs from peanut butter on toast").
But they're still positively adorable and are probably the closest we'll ever get to actually owning our very own house hippo. For now, anyway.
