The title of the hairiest animal goes to the sea otter, whose luxurious fur, according to a 2010 study, comprises a phenomenal 100- 160,000 hairs per square centimetre (an adult probably sports more than a billion hairs in total).
Sea otters lack insulating blubber, so dense water-repellent fur is an important asset in the chilly waters of the North Pacific.
And they are meticulous about keeping it in good order, washing and cleaning it regularly.
Sadly these qualities meant their fur was also attractive to humans and they were hunted near to extinction by the early 20th century with only 1,000 to 2,000 animals remaining.
Today the IUCN list the species as Endangered.
Sea otters are around four feet long and weigh up to 29kg.
They can live up to 23 years old old and feed on sea urchins, crabs, squid, octopuses and fish.
This article was first published by Discover Wildlife on 26 May 2026. Lead Image: Getty Images.
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