The hairless Sphynx cat has intrigued mankind for many years. The Sphynx is nearly bald, with a very thin coat of hair. To see all of their skin, as it folds and wrinkles atop tight muscles is so splendid, giving this breed of cat a truly unique beauty. Looking at a Sphynx is like seeing what a cat really looks like beneath all of their hair.
It’s easy to see why photographer Alicia Rius is hugely fascinated by the majestic qualities of the hairless Spynx. She writes on Bored Panda, “Sphynxes (hairless cats) fascinate me in many ways. I’m drawn by their alien look. There’s something disturbing yet eerie that keeps me astonished every time I look at one.”
Hairless Sphynx cats are available in all traditional cat colors, as their skin reflects the colors their coat would be. Without a fur coat, the Sphynx losses body temperature more rapidly than a traditional cat. This means they are warm to the touch and heat seeking–also known as the perfect cuddle buddy.
Check out Rius’ photos of these gorgeous creatures and see for yourself why hairless Sphynx cats are so incredibly cool!
The hairless Sphynx officially developed in the 1960s, when European breeders began focusing on this particular breed, which has been cited throughout history for centuries. Researchers and breeders have found it is a recessive gene that causes this cat’s hairless quality.
Ruis writes, “Without fluffy and fancy coats, this breed shows what a true cat is. Everything is raw, exposed, vulnerable. This body of work is an exploration of the beauty of Sphynxes within their oddity.”
Rius attended college and received a BA in Advertising and an MA in International Marketing, but the job she earned through these degrees was not fulfilling. It wasn’t until she started to photograph animals full-time for a living that she found true career bliss.
Photo Credit: aliciariusphotography.com
