Introducing Britain’s newest pet craze…the skinny pig - PHOTO

The bald creatures are just a few inches long and can easily fit in the palm of your hand standing them out from the larger and more common guinea pigs.Unlike their Peruvian cousins, 'Skinnys' do not occur naturally in the wild, but were created by scientists in The Institute Armand Frappier lab in Montreal in Canada in 1978.Because they only have a small amount of hair on their muzzles, feet and legs skinnys have become a popular choice for animal lovers with allergies to hair.They have reportedly been selling online for as much as £120 and were introduced at the South Downs Nurseries in Hassocks near Brighton, West Sussex, just after Christmas.General Manager Mark Hillyard said: 'They are creating an awful lot of interest as it's not what people are used to seeing.'Skinnies, as they're known, can come in a variety of colours and patterns, such as Dutch, tortoiseshell, Himalayan and many others.'While they typically have hair on their muzzles, feet, and legs, they are hairless over the remainder of their bodies.'However, their hairlessness also causes them health complications as they are unable to live outside due to cold and need sun cream to protect them in the summer.A spokesman from the RSPCA said the lack of fur can cause unnecessary pain, discomfort, illness and behavioural problems and that no animal should be bred primarily for how it looks.She added: 'The RSPCA wouldn't recommend people buy these animals due to the welfare problems associated with selectively breeding them for lack of hair, and because they will have complex needs that must be met to keep them happy and healthy.'Animal charities are full to the brim with small animals looking for homes, and we would urge anyone interested in having a pet to consider re-homing a compatible pair of rescue guinea pigs instead.'The chief vet of animal welfare charity Blue Cross, Caroline Reay, has concerns about the increasing commoditisation of animals, including the rise of ‘handbag’ and wolf-like dogs.She said: 'Many pets are bred for particular traits, but when choosing any pet, you should never base the decision on appearance alone.'It’s really important to remember that "skinny pigs" have the same welfare needs as regular guinea pigs, although with a hairless variety, owners will also need to give extra protection from the cold, sun and injury, which their fur would usually provide.'The main concern for Blue Cross is that it is increasingly easy to buy a pet on a whim without giving proper thought to the commitment needed.'(dailymail.co.uk)ANN.Az