Animals Without Coarse Fur
All mammals have fur, and it can be sparse, coarse, wiry, shaggy or soft. Soft, furry animals are perceived either as being "cute," like housecats or small rabbits, or --- unfortunately for the animal --- highly valued for their pelts. A few animals have soft, luxurious coats that make them popular as exotic pets or fur-bearing livestock. Some are prized for both purposes.
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Mink
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The mink is a semi-aquatic mammal found along the banks of rivers, creeks, streams and lakes. The American Mink, one of roughly 300 species, has been prized for centuries for its soft, thick pelt. As a predator which can swim, dive, burrow and climb, mink eat fish, muskrats and whatever small animals they can find. They're also found in Canada, Great Britain, Iceland, Russia and Scandinavia. Mink farms are highly controversial for the treatment of the animals, and the fact that mink are killed only for their coats.
Chinchilla
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Native to the Andes Mountains in South America, these 12-inch-long rodents with beautiful coats live in small herds in the wild, eating bugs, fruit and plants. Chinchillas were trapped nearly to extinction for their pelts, so it's illegal in most places to hunt or trap the animal. Many have been domesticated as pets, while chinchilla farms have been established for commercial breeding for the pelts. It takes between 100 and 200 animals to make a chinchilla coat.
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Fox
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Red foxes can be found virtually throughout the world, from as far north as the Arctic Circle to as south as Central America and Australia. North Africa, Eurasia, Japan and the Middle East also have wild fox populations. Found in urban centers, mountains, deserts and tundra, this highly-adaptable member of the dog family can quickly become a threat to livestock and household pets. Each year, about 4.5 million foxes are harvested for their fur.
African Soft Fur Rat
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Also known as the Natal Rat or ASF Rat, this rodent looks more like a hamster than a true rat. While sometimes harvested as a chinchilla substitute, the ASF is more commonly raised as an exotic pet, or a popular food source for ball pythons and other pet snakes. The ASF reproduces for the first time at as young as a couple months, and can have litters of as many as 22 babies.
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