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?
I certainly remember, and I also remember totally missing the point of the commercial because I thought house hippos were the *real deal*.
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.
But there is actually almost similar to that animal that exists today, although it’s not a hippo, its something the internet has gone craze about having.
Imagine waking up in the morning to a miniature hippopotamus jumping around and squealing with delight at the simple sight of your face. That’s apparently what it’s like to live with a hairless guinea pig.
These naked little porkers are also known as “skinny pigs” and adorable pictures of them have been giving us a giddy distraction these days.
Just so you know, they are not shaved guinea pigs. They are a breed of guinea pig called a skinny pig. Skinny pigs originated as a crossbreed between a laboratory breed called an IAF Hairless and another breed called a Teddy in the early 1980s.
It is a misconception that skinny pigs are somehow less healthy, although they do require some special care. The right temperature for skinny pigs is 75 – 79°F, a little higher than ordinary guinea pigs prefer. Skinny pigs need to eat more food in order to maintain their body temperature. Cozies are also important for skinny pigs to maintain their body temperature. You may want to use coconut oil on your skinny pig’s skin once a week. Skinny pig skin can be sensitive, so some prefer to be pet on their heads where they have hair. Skinny pigs should not be confused with Baldwins, which are another hairless guinea pig breed.
Below is the viral commercial of the past about North American House Hippo:
Source: AWM