What creates Naked Mice

I would like to know what combo of genes create the Naked Mice.? Also, If Naked Mice are born with hair, how do you know it is a naked mouse. Do you just wait and see? Is there a time when they start to loose their hair? Really very interested in this. Thanks, Robin

Hairless ( I wouldn't say naked, just because there are other hairless genes called naked and nude) have a recessive gene (hr/hr) which makes them hairless. Some hairless females cannot nurse their young, though it seems like the strains that are in the fancy right now are perfectly capable of nursing.

They are born pink like the rest of the mice, grow in their baby hair, and about 2 weeks later, any that are going to be hairless will begin shedding around their eyes and nose and feet, and will become completely hairless about 1 week to 2 weeks later.


Here's an article that I wrote up on hairless mice, there are photos of their development at the bottom of the page!
http://www.unitedmouseclub.com/Hairless%20Mouse.html

Great Article. Enjoyed reading it.

Yes, nicely done!