Staff have been left puzzled as to why an adult grey squirrel, brought in by a member of the public, is completely bald.

Nicknamed 'Smoothie', the hairless creature looks more like an overweight rat than a squirrel. The reason why Smoothie is bald is still unknown to hospital staff, but results of a recent biopsy are currently being awaited to determine the cause of the rodent's baldness.

Smoothie was rescued after a lady in Amersham noticed the animal running around in her back garden. She called St Tiggywinkles and they told her to bring the creature in. She laid a trap for Smoothie and took him to the hospital in Haddenham, where he has been kept ever since.

Some suggestions are that Smoothie has a rare genetic disorder, meaning he was born bald, like all squirrels but never grew hair in later life. Les Stocker, founder of the wildlife hospital said that he has seen bald hedgehogs brought in before and they have turned out to be genetic disorders, but never has he seen the condition in squirrels.
Smoothie may also have mange, a skin condition caused by mites. The results of his strange condition are due to come through shortly.

Les Stocker, founder of the hospital said: "It's difficult to say what Smoothie might have. It could also be some form of alopecia - just like the sort that affects humans. If we don't keep him in, he could suffer from hypothermia. If it is curable, we will keep him in and wait for his hair to return which could take up to a year.
"He's a miserable little so and so. He growls and snarls at you."