Examples of animals without fur include fish, reptiles, rhino, birds, and dogs.
There are animals all over the world that have no fur, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some people think that these animals may be cold without their coats, but in reality, they are just as warm as other furry animals.
It has been discovered that some of these animals use their skin to regulate body temperature instead of fur or sweat glands.
Examples of Animals without Fur
1. American Hairless Terrier
Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Omnivore |
This dog breed was bred to look like a little tiny lion because its name is the American Hairless Terrier. It still has fur on its head and tail though.
2. Amphibians
Scientific Name | Amphibians |
Type of Animal | Amphibians |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Carnivore |
Frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts all fall into this category. While they may not have any hair on their bodies, most of these creatures do have some type of skin covering. This skin can be smooth or bumpy, depending on the species.
3. Argentine Pila Dog
Scientific Name | El perro pila |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | the Salta province in the north of the country |
Diet | Omnivore |
This breed of dog is native to Argentina and has a very unique look – they are completely bald. They get their name from the Spanish word for “ball”, as their head looks like a big, round ball.
4. Babirusa
Scientific Name | Babyrousa |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Indonesia |
Diet | Omnivore |
This wild pig-looking creature is actually related to the deer! They are endangered due to hunting and deforestation.
5. Bambino
Scientific Name | Ficus Lyrata Bambino |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Macon County |
Diet | Omnivore |
The bambino cat is not an actual breed of cat, but rather a kitten that has short legs and paws. This “bambino” was born without fur due to a genetic defect in the Sphynx gene (which causes hairlessness).
6. Birds
Scientific Name | Birds |
Type of Animal | Bird |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Omnivore |
Another obvious place where you can find animals without any fur is birds. Most bird species have feathers on their bodies instead of hair. There are actually some types of birds who don’t even have feathers and they rely on their light skin for insulation from the sun’s heat.
Bald eagles, vultures, and pelicans are all birds that lack fur. They typically have feathers to keep them warm, but those feathers can be wet and cold in bad weather. To protect themselves from the elements, these birds often tuck their heads under their wings or use their bills to shield their face.
7. Black Rhino
Scientific Name | Diceros bicornis |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Africa |
Diet | Herbivore |
This one is pretty obvious. Black rhinos are covered in a coarse, thick substance that functions like armor or an exoskeleton so they don’t need fur.
8. Chinese Crested Dogs
Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Central and South America |
Diet | Omnivore |
This breed of dog is known for its small size and lack of fur on its body. The fact that these dogs are hairless except for their head and legs makes them very popular in places with hot climates, like Florida or Arizona.
These dogs don’t actually have zero fur—they just leave their body skin bare. They also still grow some white hairs on the head, tail, feet, and backs of their thighs.
9. Dolphins
Scientific Name | Cetacea |
Type of Animal | Fish |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Carnivore |
Dolphins are a great example of an animal without fur. These marine mammals have sleek, smooth skin that helps them move quickly through the water.
10. Donskoy
Scientific Name | Felis catus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Rostov-on-Don, Russia |
Diet | Carnivore |
These cats are hairless, and they don’t even have whiskers! They come from Russia.
11. Dwelf
Scientific Name | Dwelf |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Carnivore |
This hairless cat is a new breed that was created in the 1980s. They get their name from being a cross between a Devon Rex and a Sphynx.
12. Ecuadorian Hairless Dog
Scientific Name | Canis lupus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Mexico |
Diet | Omnivore |
This breed of dog is the only hairless breed of canine. They are also known as “perros pelon” which means bald dogs in Spanish.
13. Elephants
Scientific Name | Loxodonta |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Africa |
Diet | Herbivore |
The elephant is the largest land animal on the planet! These gentle giants are covered in thick skin, which makes them fur-less.
14. Fish
Scientific Name | Fish |
Type of Animal | Fish |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Omnivore |
Fish are a great example of an animal without fur. They live in water, so they don’t need to worry about staying warm. Some fish even have scales that act like armor and protect them from predators.
15. Hairless Bears
Scientific Name | Ursidae |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | North America, South America, Europe, and Asia |
Diet | Omnivore |
Some female bears are hairless due to disease or skin conditions. They may also have sudden hair loss as a result of stress.
16. Hairless Guinea Pigs
Scientific Name | Cavia porcellus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Herbivore |
These little guys don’t have any fur at all! They get their name from the country they were first discovered in, Guinea.
17. Hairless Horse
Scientific Name | Equus caballus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Herbivore |
The American hairless horse is a breed of horse that was created in the 1970s. This unique animal is born without any fur and has smooth, pink skin. While they are not common, these horses can be found all over the world.
18. Hairless Khalas
Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Bolivia |
Diet | Omnivore |
These desert-dwelling creatures are found in North Africa and the Middle East. They get their name from their lack of fur, which helps them stay cool in the heat. Khalas have long, spindly legs and bald heads, making them perfectly adapted to life in the desert.
19. Hairless Rats
Scientific Name | Heterocephalus glaber |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Omnivore |
Rats are known for being filthy, scaring people in the dark, and multiplying like crazy. But they also have an interesting adaptation that makes them unique among other mammals: hairlessness! There’s a species of a rat called the naked mole-rat which has no fur on its body at all.
20. Hairless Syrian Hamsters
Scientific Name | Mesocricetus auratus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Syria and southern Turkey |
Diet | Omnivore |
These little rodents are native to Syria and the Middle East, and as their name suggests, they don’t have any fur. They get their nickname of “spider hamsters” because of their long, spindly legs. While they may not look like it, Syrian hamsters can be quite feisty – they’re known for being very territorial.
21. Hippopotamus
Scientific Name | Hippopotamus amphibius |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Africa |
Diet | Omnivore |
Hippos are the third-largest land mammal on earth. There are two species of hippo, one in Africa and one in Asia. Although they live near water, their name actually comes from a combination of “horse” and “river”, since ancient Greeks thought that the animals looked like horses with humps.
Hippos have very little hair on their bodies, but they are covered in a thick, oily liquid called “blood sweat.” This liquid keeps the hippo’s skin moist and protects it from sunburn.
22. Jonangi
Scientific Name | Jonangi Jagilam |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | state of Andhra Pradesh |
Diet | Omnivore |
Native to Sri Lanka, the Jonangi dog is a small breed that only has short, coarse hair on parts of their bodies. They are considered an endangered species due to their dwindling numbers.
23. Lykoi
Scientific Name | Felis catus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | South African |
Diet | Carnivore |
The Lykoi is a newly discovered breed of wild cat that has almost no fur. They get their name, which means “wolf-like” in Greek, from their strange appearance which makes them look like they are part wolf. These cats are native to the United States and were only recently discovered in 2011.
24. Minskin
Scientific Name | Teddy Rex |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Boston, Massachusetts |
Diet | Carnivore |
The Minskin is a new breed of cat that was created in the early 2000s. This small, sprightly feline has short fur that ranges in color from black to brown to white and everything in between. They are a popular pet choice due to their friendly personalities and lack of shedding.
25. Naked Mole Rats
Scientific Name | Heterocephalus glaber |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | in eastern Africa |
Diet | Omnivore |
These little critters are found in Africa and have a bald, pink bodies. They’re also completely blind and nearly deaf!
26. Peruvian Inca Orchid
Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Peru |
Diet | Omnivore |
This breed of hairless dog is originally from Peru, but it can be found all over the world. These dogs have a very unique look.
The Peruvian Inca Orchid has no coat and soft ears that flop down. This breed often gets sunburned so they need to stay out of the sunlight for long periods of time during each day.
27. Peterbald
Scientific Name | Felis catus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Russia |
Diet | Carnivore |
This hairless (or almost bald) breed of cat was developed in 1994 and is a fairly new addition to the world. Only about 1000 cats worldwide are Peterbalds, making them both rare and very unique.
They have silky smooth skin that feels amazing to pet, but it does come with some downsides – they can get cold easily and don’t do well in hot weather.
28. Reptiles
Scientific Name | Reptiles |
Type of Animal | Reptile |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Carnivore |
Just like amphibians, there are many different reptiles who don’t have any fur. Snakes, lizards, and turtles are all examples of this.
Most reptiles rely on their scales to protect them from the elements. Some species, such as snakes, do have a type of skin that can be quite smooth, but this is not considered to be fur.
29. Sand Terrier
Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Africa |
Diet | Omnivore |
The Abyssinian Sand Terrier is a breed of dog that originated in Africa. They are mostly hairless, except for a thin coat of fur on their head, tail, and paws.
30. Sphynx Cats
Scientific Name | Felis catus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Toronto |
Diet | Carnivore |
These bald kitties are probably the most well-known animals without fur. Born with a genetic mutation that leaves them hairless, Sphynx cats rely on their soft skin and warm body temperature to keep them comfortable.
31. Ukrainian Levkoy
Scientific Name | Felis catus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Ukraine |
Diet | Carnivore |
The Ukrainian levkoy cat is a breed of domestic cat that is hairless except for some very short, soft fur on its head, tail, and feet. This unusual-looking feline is native to Ukraine and was first discovered there in the early 1990s.
32. White Rhino
Scientific Name | Ceratotherium simum |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Africa |
Diet | Herbivore |
The white rhino is one of the largest land mammals on Earth. They can weigh up to two thousand pounds and stand over six feet tall. Despite their size, these animals don’t have any fur at all.
33. Xoloitzcuintli
Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Mexico |
Diet | Omnivore |
This breed of dog is native to Mexico and is one of the few hairless breeds. They can come in a variety of colors, including black, brown, white, and red.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.