Hairless Raccoon Confirmed!

Chrispy is pleased to see that his internet speculation is confirmed.

Legendary chupacabra? Nope — mysterious critter was hairless raccoon
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, 11: 45 p.m. — The “mysterious” hairless animal that was shot and killed on a Nelson County farm was not so mysterious after all.

WAVE TV-3 reported Monday evening that the state Department of Fish & Wildlife had confirmed the animal was a raccoon. The report said wildlife biologists made the connection by matching biological features. They did not know why the raccoon lost its fur.
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From other research, it looks like a unique species of mange - a mite-arachnid - is pandemic in the raccoon populations, and a small number (small %) of raccoons seem to be affected. Some biologist should research why this small sub-population of raccoons has a genetic presupposition to this affect. It most likely is responsible in other species, and the mite may have the capability of jumping species. This may explain a few of the hairless coyotes near Austin, TX and other hairless mammals.

This should be serious research.