World’s Hairiest Animals: Which Species Has the Most Body Covering?

Our planet is home to a wide variety of animals that are unique in their way. Some members of the animal kingdom are known for their majestic appearance, while others are famous for their unusual features, such as fur or hair. Regarding body covering, some species stand out as some of the hairiest in the world.

1. Highland Cattle

This Scottish breed of rustic cattle is one of the most impressive cattle known for its majestic horns. Aside from this, they are also famous for being one of the hairiest bovines.

Highland cattle are covered with a rich red coat consisting of thick, long, and wavy hair. They need this heavy body covering to protect them from the elements in their native habitat in Scotland.

2. Komondor

Komondors are a large, white-colored breed of guardian dog. Also known as Hungarian sheepdogs, these animals have corded hair and are frequently called "mops."

The hair of this dog breed can be around 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) long and is considered one of the heaviest coats in the dog world. Their thick body covering protects them from predators, cold weather, and vegetation. Additionally, the shaggy white coat also helps them blend in with flocks of sheep and enables them to remain undetected while awaiting predators.

3. Spotted Apatelodes

The Spotted Apatelodes (Apatelodes torrefacta) is a moth species first described in 1797. They can be found across the US, Mexico, and Canada.

These insects are extremely unusual due to their incredibly hairy body in both the caterpillar and moth stages. Caterpillars are completely covered in white hair, turning bright yellow as they age. At this stage, they possess long black tufts which extend from behind their head and another at the rear end. As they become moths, spotted apatelodes get covered with thick, fuzzy hair with a black spot on each forewing.

4. Sea Otter

The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a marine mammal native to the North Pacific Ocean. They belong to the smallest marine mammals but are also the heaviest members of the weasel family.

Compared to other marine mammals, sea otters do not have a layer of fat to protect their body. Because of this, they depend entirely on their fur to keep them warm in the cold water.

5. Musk Ox

The musk ox is a hoofed mammal of the family Bovidae. Native to the Arctic, this animal is noted for its thick coat, which can grow as long as 40 inches (101.6 cm). Paired with curved horns on each side of their head, this unusual herbivore's thick, dark coat gives them an intimidating appearance.

The body of a musk ox is covered with two layers of hair. The inner hair, called qiviut, is an extremely soft wool shed each spring. This super-soft hair is even softer and warmer than sheep's wool. Meanwhile, the outer layer comprises long guard hairs, which protect them from the harsh conditions in the Arctic.