American Curl facts for kids
The American Curl is a special cat breed. It's famous for its unique ears. They curl backwards, away from its face. This breed is quite rare. But you can find American Curls in many countries. These include the United States, Spain, France, Japan, and Russia. American Curls are usually strong and healthy cats.
They can have long or short hair. Both types have soft, silky fur. Their coats are easy to care for. These cats love spending time with their families.
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What Do American Curls Look Like?
American Curls are medium-sized cats. They usually weigh between 5 and 10 pounds. They don't finish growing until they are 2 or 3 years old.
American Curl kittens are born with straight ears. Just like any other kitten. Their ears start to curl when they are about 82 days old. After four months, their ears stop curling. Then they become firm and stiff.
For a pet American Curl, the ears might be almost straight. But for cat shows, the ears must curl in a special way. The curl needs to be between 90 and 180 degrees. A stronger curl is better. But cats cannot be shown if their ears touch the back of their skulls.
How Did the American Curl Breed Start?
This special cat breed began in Lakewood, California. It started with kittens born naturally. But they had a special change in their genetics.
In June 1981, two stray kittens were found. The Ruga family took them in. Both kittens had long hair. One was black, and the other was black and white. The family named the black cat Shulamith. The black and white one was named Panda. A few weeks later, Panda went missing. So, Shulamith became the first female cat of the American Curl breed.
In 1986, an American Curl was shown in a cat show for the first time. In 1992, a longhaired American Curl became a champion. This was with The International Cat Association (TICA). In 1999, the American Curl made history. It was the first breed that the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) allowed in both longhair and shorthair categories.
How to Keep American Curls Healthy
American Curl cats need their ears cleaned often. This helps stop infections. Their ears must also be handled very gently. This is to keep from hurting the cartilage.
See Also
- Scottish Fold, a breed with ears folding down and forward
Images for kids
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An American Curl
In Spanish: Curl Americano para niños
