Hairless ASFs?

[JenH]

I have a couple weanlings that have very little hair. Is this a known trait in ASFs? I think these 2 are albino to albino breeding - should I just feed them off or should I try breeding them? I think they are both male....

I'll snap a few pics today....

[sassy-pants]

I've never heard of hairless ASFs, but I wouldn't doubt that they can happen. I'd love to see some photos! You can try breeding them, if you're interested in pursuing a bit of ASF genetics.

My concerns breeding hairless ASFs would be two-fold: In Norwegian rats, the hairless variety is known to not produce enough (if any) milk, I would fear that this carries over to ASFs, or some other horrible lacking in their ability to take care of their young. Second, ASFs need to be kept pretty warm, especially as pups, and without fur and adequate heat in the room, they likely won't survive. Though, I guess heat wouldn't be too bad, since you've already raised two

[JenH]

Here are a couple pics - they just opened their eyes within the last week. I have 2.2 - they are all eating fine and are at the same stage as the "normals" in the same litter.





You can see the skin wrinkles through the fine hair - weird huh?

[panthercz]

They'll fill out, I've had several like that and they always fill out with hair like normal. Some are just a little slower growing than others.

[singingtothewheat]

Cute little devils aren't they!!!

[docturgonzo]

Is there any condensation in the tubs? I have had a few that lose when weaning due to condensation on the sides of the tubs which alway grows back. (i have updated my tubs now and dont get any condensation btw )

I know its just because they are young but there ears look huge

Nice little babies

[JenH]

Is there any condensation in the tubs? I have had a few that lose when weaning due to condensation on the sides of the tubs which alway grows back. (i have updated my tubs now and dont get any condensation btw )

I know its just because they are young but there ears look huge

Nice little babies

No condensation - they are in a rat rack with a 1/2 inch screen top.

Someone mentioned on another site that they have ASFs that do the same thing. The ones with little hair will eventually get their hair in like the rest of the litter. You learn something every day!

Thanks all for you comments!

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Whats strange about this is I have some litters I just seperated out and some have very thin fur. They are all weaned but it appears that one entire litter has this strange thin fur. It looks a little wirey too. Like curly haired mice. The others from the other litters all have the normal thick soft fur.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

This can be caused by food deficiencies, bad or dirty substrate, or genetics.

Most all of the babies will go through a shedding stage where the hair looks a little thinner and the skin sometimes even looks a little irritated.... but normal will NEVER look like the pictures you have provided.