PORTLAND, Ore. — A hairless hamster named Silky received a special gift from an employee at the Oregon Humane Society.
The employee decided to “crochet (Silky) a tiny sweater to help her stay warm.”
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Humane officials say that when Animal Care Technician Selene Mejia saw Silky huddled in the corner of her cage, she felt bad for the little hamster and decided she had to do something about it, crocheting Silky’s sweater, “sized just right to help her stay cozy.”
Silky, who is around 1 year old, was born hairless with short, curly whiskers and soft, sensitive skin, the Humane Society writes.
"Silky is hairless due to a genetic mutation," Diana Gabaldon, an OHS staffer, said in a release on the society's website. "While she isn't fluffy like a normal hamster, she is just as cuddly and playful as any other hamster. She does need to be kept in a heated environment, especially during the winter, and have a higher-protein diet to keep her warm."
Silky mostly goes "au naturale" in her warm, clean habitat; she wears the sweater for special occasions.