Revisiting an old favorite: the sphynx cat

What a heart-warming image of motherly love.

Photo source: The Weasel King

You can just feel the waves of joy, contentment, and pride emanating off her. I've not yet experienced motherhood myself, but I can only hope such delight is in store for me when the happy time comes.

This cat, however, just seems intent on showing us his privates:

Photo source: Wazaw

For more sphynx goodness, visit Sphynx Cat Pictures and the Sphynx Cat Blog.

Not Made in China

Piya forwarded this link to me from NY Daily News of the top 20 ugly animal species on the planet. You folks have been so thorough in your submissions that every single species, and more than half of the actual photos, have been profiled here on Ugly Overload.

Nevertheless, I thought the beauty below needed some more spotlight. Behold the fruit-roll-up-for-a-tongue mug of a Chinese Crested Dog. This breed is the most popular of the hairless dog breeds, though it is still rare. They originate from Africa (they used to be called the African Hairless Terriers), but Chinese trade ships loaded them onto their vessels to hunt down vermin.

Photo source: Sullivan/Getty via NYDailyNew.com

Though I highly recommend buying mixed breeds and mutts and rescues for your household pet, if you must have a pure bred dog you'll find this one to be kind, lovable, and intelligent. They're great with kids. They tend toward timidity if they are babied. Remember, you hairless dog owners, these beasts were once proud rat hunters that sailed the seven seas.

Thanks for the link, Piya.

Peltless and Cold

The Sphynx cat as an official breed comes to us from the 1960s. They are a relatively new breed, known for their intelligence and extroverted natures.

Sphynxes aren't truly hairless. Instead, think of peach fuzz when you think of these felines' skin. Still, their lack of a pelt makes for warm skin, but a cold kitty. They need to snuggle a fair amount to keep warm. So, if you're wanting an intelligent, friendly cat who's obligated to snuggle you, this breed may be the one for you. Of course, with millions of unwanted cats and kittens on the planet, you might find a hairy one that suits you just fine.

Photo source: Mario Izquierdo

Yet Another Record

I know I just posted on the naked mole-rat, but my favorite animal has just made the news yet again, so it deserves another mention.

Recent research has shown that naked mole-rats have set yet another record (among many): they can go the longest of all mammals without oxygen. Their warrens are disgusting and stuffy--high in carbon dioxide and low in oxygen. But still they thrive. In fact, they can go six times longer in a hypoxic conditions than other rodents.

We mammals have all endured low oxygen environments: the womb. But somehow, the naked mole-rat, who is also immune to pain, is able to maintain an infant-like ability to go without oxygen. This has great significance for humans, as further research into this ability might be able to help those who have suffered damage from low-oxygen conditions, such as those caused by heart attacks and strokes.

Oh, and this rodent is one of the longest living of their kin: the pregnant female below is 15-years-old.

Thanks for the link, Ida.

Photo source: Rochelle Buffenstein/City College of New York via LiveScience.com

Floss Needed

I have coworkers like this, where it seems like every time you see them they've got something in their teeth. And it's not always some speck of pepper or broccoli from their lunch. No, the festering lump of food caught between their teeth looks to have been there for days. It's hard to look them in the face, or concentrate on the conversation, since you keep thinking of dental floss and tooth picks.

Thanks for the photo, Mike.




















Of course, they don't have the excuse that naked mole-rats have. These rodents have their front teeth outside their lips, so that they can burrow with their mouth closed (such polite burrowing). I never thought of it before, but our lips also serve as squeegees for our teeth.

You've Come a Long Way

Photo source: REUTERS / Alexander Natruskin

The Eight Annual International Cats Exhibition was held in Moscow this December, and this Sphynx cat was one of the many participants.

Is it wearing makeup? How much can we do to this cat? We've bred away its hair, curled its ears, wrapped it in a coat, and painted it.

You've come a long way from your ancient, forest-dwelling ancestors, Mr. Sphynx. You now live in the lap of luxury, and that trajectory is something that most humans aspire to. But I'm not sure that's what you would have wished for.

Mystery Sphynx

The next time you're in the Mission in San Francisco, drop by Borderlands Books. You'll find good folks, and you'll find good books (especially of the science fiction, fantasy, and horror variety). You'll also find three resident Sphynx cats, Ripley, Ash, and Sly, all of whom are sweethearts, and all of whom hairless. Or, were hairless.

You see, several months ago, Ripley under went a procedure to have a cancerous lump taken off her shoulder. She then had to receive radiation and chemo therapy. Then an odd thing happened. Ripley the Hairless Cat became Ripley the Slightly Hairy Cat. That's right, she began growing thin, fine fur (you can see the fuzz on her back). Anyone care to explain that?

It's very appropriate that this mystery happened to a Sphynx cat. May both she and the proprietors of Borderland Books live long and prosper.

Thanks for the story, Amanda.

Photo source: Tensegrity Dan

Ugly Bat Boy the Cat

Exeter, NH, has a new favorite icon. Exeter might become the first city to be adopted by Ugly Overload.

Behold Ugly Bat Boy:

The cat's full name is Ugly Bat Boy. He's bald in most places except for flowing fur on his chest, and he spends his days on a warm computer at Exeter Veterinary Hospital, reported WMUR-TV in Manchester, N.H. Bat Boy has become something of a local star.

People come in and take pictures of him on their cell phones," said veterinary employee Christie Hartnett. "He's just great. He's Dr. (Stephen) Bassett's little wonder cat."

For more details, read this article. There isn't anything wrong with him. He's just ugly.

Thanks, Summer, Kat, Ida, and Clair.

Enjoy the video, put to the theme from Carmina Burana.

Cinder In Memoriam

Chimpanzees have been in the news lately, and not with happy endings. I'll focus on Cinder the Hairless Chimp.

I've posted on Cinder before. She was a sweetheart 14-year-old chimp who lived at the St. Louis Zoo. She suffered from an autoimmune disorder known as Alopecia universalis that caused all of her hair to fall out starting when she was still young (that's her on the left--doesn't get much cuter). The next photo is one of her in her hairless prime, being a cheeky monkey for the camera.

Photo source: Curt Knaus


















She was a favorite at the zoo until she died unexpectedly last Sunday (Feb 15). Her cause of death is still unknown, despite a thorough necropsy. The lab results might yield some answers. Until then, here's the Cinder the Hairless Chimp. The world needs more chimps like you, and more people like the folks that cared for you.

Thanks for the news, Mary.

The Cat for You

I'm not up on my felinology, so I can't be sure exactly what breed of hairless cat this is. I'm guessing it's a Sphynx (please correct me if I'm wrong).

This breed is very new: the first recorded instance of the mutation (for the American and European breed's purposes) was found in Minnesota, US, in 1975. The second instance in Toronto, Canada, in 1978 (there must be something in the water at the American-Canadian border). Thus was the breed born (and soon to be bred).

If you are allergic to pet dander, this hairless cat might be the animal for you. If you like warm, oily skin, this cat might be the pet for you. If you like bathing cats and cleaning their ears out, this might be the beast for you. If you enjoy being pointed at by your neighbors, this might be just what you're looking for.

Thanks for the photo, Steve.

Photo source: DailyDigitalPhoto.com

Gus Wins Ugliest Dog Contest

This year's annual ugliest dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin county fair has come and gone this past weekend, and we have a new winner.

Meet gus. He's 16, has three legs and one eye, and of course, he's a Chinese Crested. Jeanenne Teed, Gus's owner, flew him in from St. Petersburg, FL, for the competition--and it has paid off. He has garnered a cool $16,000 in winnings, and has earned himself and his owner a showing on CBS This Morning in New York city.

Gus, like many other past winners, was adopted (rescued). Teed's daughter discovered the pooch 'housed' in a crate in someone's garage. But the Teeds have big hearts, and took him in. Well done Teeds. I only hope that when I'm discovered in a garage, missing a limb and an eye and in the twilight of my life, that someone will take me in. I don't even mind if you trot me around in front of the press.

Thanks, Ida.

Photo source: AP Photo/The Press Democrat, Crista Jeremiason












Photo source: KNBC - TV

2008 World's Ugliest Dog Contest

It's that time of year again. Time for the world famous World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair.

This fair has brought you the likes of Sam and Ellwood. This year brings you a whole new batch of ugly pooches. Here are just a few (picked at random). Be sure to vote!

Thanks for the article, Ida.

Squiggy












Myster












Peewee












Grovie

Cinder the Hairless Chimp

Cinder is an eleven-year-old resident of the Saint Louis Zoo. She is a beloved member of the Chimpanzee exhibit, and is described as a real sweetheart and the center of attention by her handlers.

She suffers from a condition known as alopecia universalis--complete and utter hairlessness (this is also found among 1.7% of the human population). She was born at the zoo as a normally hairy baby. She soon, however, lost all of her hair. Aside from hairlessness, she is an otherwise healthy, happy chimp with a full life expectancy ahead of her.

I post on Cinder for a few reasons:

1) You may have noticed that I am fascinated by instances of alopecia.
2) Cinder's hairlessness shows off her spectacular musculature. There are many homo sapien males who would give much to have those arms.
3) She looks an awful lot like my little brother.

So, the next time you're in Saint Louis, be sure to say hello to Cinder for me.

Thanks for the link, Ida.

Photo source: Saint Louis Zoo

Not Much Sleep

The kids were up a lot last night, contending with coughs and fever and runny noses. When the kids don't get much sleep, mommy and daddy don't get much sleep.

This morning, when I 'woke' up, I looked a lot like this sphynx cat. The main difference being that I had a bit more stubble to shave before stumbling out the door for work. The cat no doubt got to continue luxuriating in its velvety bedding.

Thanks for the photo, Suzy.

Photo source: Alopecia Sphynx

Look Again

Naked mole-rats keep cropping up in the news these days. This photo is of the mug of a juvenile at the Bronx Zoo.

Notice anything unusual about its mouth and teeth? Look real close. See it yet? Yup, the rodent's lips are behind its teeth. (Go ahead, look again). That's so the critter can dig, dig, dig without having to open its mouth. How's that for functionality?

Photo source: Yahoo! News

Zelda and the Thunder Storm

Everyone say hello to Zelda and to her proud owner, Susan.

Zelda, a Chinese Crested (same breed as the infamous Sam), was photographed while freaking out during a thunder storm. Don't feel bad, Zelda, I've been caught with my tongue lolling out and my hair standing on end in the midst of a thunder storm too.

The history of this breed lies in myth and a murky, hairless haze. Suffice it to say that they are an ancient breed of Chinese and/or African stock. European sailors in the 1700s commented on the presence of these dogs in Chinese ports and on Chinese sailing vessels. If only they had been equiped with digital cameras and an email account (and immunities against malaria, syphilis, and small pox, GPS devices, labor unions...).

Thanks for the photo, Susan.

Grumpy Old Rat

I don't think this is a true hairless rat, given the tufts of fur on the old man's face. But I'm not one to bicker about details with someone as grumpy as him.

I'm not sure what I'd do if I opened up my pantry and saw this guy scowling back at me. I would probably just shut the door, walk away, curl up in some dark corner, and pray that he would finish his morsel and find some other house to haunt.

Thanks for the photo, Ida.

Cold-blooded and Pain Free

As if we didn't already have plenty of reasons to admire the naked mole-rat (unique in so many ways among mammals), we have a few more.

As revealed in an article in Live Science, researchers have determined that naked mole-rats, though very sensitive to touch, are impervious to pain caused by acid or burning. They performed a test, consisting of injecting one paw with what equates to lemon juice and a bit of chili pepper extract (mmm, lemon and pepper...). But the creatures show no response, which makes them unique among mammals. This has significance to us humans, who may benefit from the findings in aiding us in treating chronic pain.

Also, did you know that naked mole-rats are the only cold-blooded mammal (aside from some people I know) on the planet? There is so much more to this little beast than meets the eye (which is quite a jarring experience the first time around).

Thanks for the link, Martha. I love it when uglies (not of the celebrity ilk) make headlines.

Poor Thing

This poor thing can never show her face in the sewers again. Hairless. In human captivity. Collared with a radar dish. She can't get no respect.

I don't see the stitches or the wound that the dish is keeping the rat's chompers from, but I can only assume it was human-induced (hopefully for its own good).

This brings back memories of my sister's rat back when we were kids. When the thing grew a tumor she took it to the vet and had it removed (the rat came home in a radar dish). I brought it (the tumor) in to show-and-tell the next day, floating in a vial of water. I was the talk of the classroom for a good day or two. That is my one claim to fame.

Photo source: LinkInn.com

Rhino Mouse

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.