If you have ever seen an American Curl, you probably noticed the fact that their ears are curled backward. This interesting trait is caused by a natural genetic mutation.
History
The American Curl is a fairly new breed that originated in Lakewood, California in 1981 when a black stray kitten with curled ears showed up on a couple named Joe and Grace Ruga's doorstep.
The Ruga's named the unique cat, Shulamith.
Shulamith then gave birth to a litter of four kittens. Two of which were born with the same curled ears.
The American Curl was registered by the CFA in 1986 and TICA in 1987. They received full recognition by the CFA in 1993.
Appearance
The American Curl is a medium-sized cat, weighing 5-9 pounds.
They have a silky coat of fur that ranges from short to long.
For an American Curl to be accepted in judging, their ears must curl between a minimum of 90 to a maximum of 180 degrees. Ears that touch the back of the cat's head are an automatic disqualification.
All American Curl kittens are born with straight ears. At about 3-5 days after birth, their ears begin to curl into a rosebud shape, then unfold like that of a petal into its final unique shape at about 16 weeks.
The breed has large, walnut-shaped eyes that range in color from green to amber.
American Curls come in a wide variety of colors and patterns.
Personality
The American Curl is oftentimes referred to as the "Peter Pan" of the cat world because they still act like kittens when in their old age.
They are quiet, moderately active, playful, and intelligent. They are capable of learning to fetch and open doors.
They are affectionate but aren't big on pets or cuddles.
The breed is good with children, other cats, and cat-friendly dogs if introduced properly.
Curls have a tendency to involve themselves in pretty much everything their owner is doing.
Health & Care
If your Curl is a shorthair, weekly grooming is encouraged to keep their coat healthy, and twice a week for a longhair.
An American Curl's ears should be checked daily. If they are dirty, you can carefully wipe them with a cloth or a cotton ball, dampened with warm water. Q-tips/cotton swabs should be avoided to keep from damaging the inside of the ear. Their ears should be handled very carefully.
Just like any cat, their teeth should be brushed daily.
Works Cited
"American Curl Cat Breed Information, Pictures, Characteristics," Cattime,
American Curl Breed," Tica,
"American Curl," Wikipedia,
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