Fur is vital to many animals, giving much-needed protection from the cold. It also gives them their distinguishing appearances; certain animals may be unrecognizable if completely hairless.

Recently, rescuers brought in a critter that resembles a hairless cat but is more rare. Continue reading to learn about this remarkable creature’s unexpected survival.

Last month, Hope for Wildlife, a Nova Scotia-based nonprofit conservation group, brought in the most peculiar animal. According to the Canadian Press, a couple in West Arichat found the animal on their property, trembling from the cold.

At first impression, the creature resembles a Sphynx cat, but it is a hairless raccoon!

It’s difficult to detect a raccoon without its distinctive mask-like fur pattern. Due to severe alopecia, this little species, a northern raccoon, is completely bald.

The rescue claims they’ve seen other cases of balding raccoons, but nothing like this: “It’s simply tufts of fur around the nose, ankles, and feet.” This is a severe case,” Hope Swinimer, head of Hope for Wildlife, told The Canadian Press.

Despite being female, the raccoon has adopted the name Rufus in honor of the naked mole rat character from the television series Kim Possible.

The rescue said on Facebook that they have not fully determined the reason for her hair loss, which might be an immunological condition that damages her hair follicles. They also ruled out parasites, mange, and fungal illnesses, noting that her skin was healthy.

Raccoons rely on their fur to stay warm and shield their skin from the weather; the rescuers couldn’t believe Rufus had survived so long.

“We are quite amazed that this little lady managed to make it [through] the winter without fur and without suffering from frostbite or worse!” they said on their Facebook wall.

They also mentioned that she had a “feisty” disposition and that “her successful survival was all her own doing.” Despite this, it seems her rescue came just in time, as she appeared to be “down and out” upon arrival.

“We panicked for a few hours, but she got hungry and came out.” Swinimer told The Canadian Press, “She’s becoming quite feisty, and we’ve seen a significant improvement since she first arrived.”

Given the circumstances, Rufus may become a permanent resident of the shelter, complete with a customized habitat, an outdoor space with a place to crawl inside to be warm, and amenities like hammocks and nesting boxes.

We have never seen a hairless raccoon before! We’re delighted that Rufus survived in the wild for such a long time and is now in wonderful hands.