The internet has blessed us with many animal comparisons, but few are as unexpectedly accurate as this one: take away a guinea pig's fluffy coat, and you're left with what appears to be a pocket-sized hippopotamus.

The resemblance is startling. Those rotund bodies, stubby legs, and wide snouts suddenly become impossible to unsee. Even their skin has a similar grayish-pink tone and wrinkled texture.

Meet the Skinny Pig

You don't actually need to shave a guinea pig to witness this transformation. Skinny pigs are a nearly hairless breed that occurred through a spontaneous genetic mutation in laboratory guinea pigs in 1978. They have a small amount of fuzzy hair on their faces and feet, but their bodies remain almost completely bare.

These little creatures have become popular pets, and their owners are quick to point out the hippo comparison. Social media is filled with side-by-side photos that make the resemblance undeniable.

Why the Similarity?

The hippo-like appearance comes down to body structure:

Barrel-shaped torso with a low center of gravity
Short, sturdy legs positioned at the corners of the body
Broad, rounded snout with prominent nostrils
Small ears set high on the head
Wrinkled, thick-looking skin when hair is removed

Of course, the scale is wildly different. A guinea pig weighs about 1-2 pounds, while a hippo tips the scales at 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. That's roughly a 2,000x size difference.

Caring for Your Mini Hippo

Skinny pigs require special care compared to their furry cousins. Without a coat for insulation, they need warmer environments—ideally between 68-79°F. They also have faster metabolisms to maintain body heat, meaning they eat more food relative to their size.

Their exposed skin is sensitive to sunlight and prone to dryness, so owners often apply pet-safe moisturizers. Despite these extra needs, skinny pig enthusiasts swear the unique appearance and affectionate personalities are worth the additional effort.

Not Actually Related

Despite the visual similarities, guinea pigs and hippos are not closely related at all. Guinea pigs are rodents from South America, while hippos are even-toed ungulates from Africa—more closely related to whales and dolphins than to any rodent.

The resemblance is a case of convergent body shapes becoming apparent only when you strip away the distinguishing feature of fur. It's a reminder that underneath all that fluff, many mammals share surprisingly similar basic body plans.

So the next time you see a hairless guinea pig waddling around, don't fight the urge to call it a tiny hippo. The comparison is simply too perfect to resist.

Related Tags