What is the hairiest animal alive?

It's hard to definitively say which animal is the "hairiest" as it depends on how you define "hairy." Do you mean:

* Total hair coverage? In that case, the yeti crab might be a contender. It's covered in dense, velvety fur-like hairs.

* Hair length? Then a sheep or alpaca could win with their long, flowing wool.

* Hair density? The polar bear has a thick, dense coat of fur for insulation.

* Number of hairs? It's difficult to measure, but animals with larger surface areas, like elephants, might have more hairs overall.

Ultimately, the "hairiest" animal is subjective and depends on the criteria you choose.