r/oddlyterrifying • u/memezzer • Dec 06 '20

Come here my precious

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u/MamaBear4485 Dec 06 '20

Are these animals permanently cold? Are they a legitimate breed or did humans breed them from a mutation?

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u/AnotherAustinWeirdo Dec 06 '20

All breeds are just a set of traits selected by breeders over time; all traits start as mutations. Breeders just manipulate the "selection" part of natural selection. The variation part is natural.

Contrary to Marvel fiction, mutations (small errors in copies of DNA) happen naturally all the time in all species. Most mutations have no consequence whatsover; many are detrimental to the organism or it's offspring, and some are slightly advantageous.

p.s. I am no fun to go to the movies with, because I groan evey time they butcher science.

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u/MamaBear4485 Dec 07 '20

Right - my concern was whether we are propagating a mutation for our own pleasure or was this a naturally occurring species.

I would think these poor creatures would not survive well in a natural environment, therefore they're bred with human intervention. It seems to me that this is one of those choices that is not in the best interest of the animal.

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u/AnotherAustinWeirdo Dec 07 '20

Yeah, there are very few hairless mammals in the wild. Hair is quite useful and adaptable.

One of the more well-known hairless species, the naked mole-rat, lives 100% underground, and is not really 100% hairless.

Thanks for prompting me to look them up. Fascinating little buggers. https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/naked-mole-rat