Cornish Rex facts for kids
A Cornish Rex is a special kind of cat breed. What makes them unique is their super soft, wavy fur! Unlike most cats that have three types of hair, Cornish Rex cats only have the soft, fine undercoat. This means their fur feels a bit like velvet. They first appeared in Cornwall, Great Britain.
Contents
Cool Facts About Cornish Rex Cats
The fur of a Cornish Rex is very fine and often curly. Because their coat is so light, these cats love warm, dry places. They are sensitive to cold, so they prefer to stay indoors near warm spots like computer monitors or even on your lap or shoulders!
People sometimes call the Cornish Rex the "Greyhound of cats." This is because they look sleek and can run very fast, almost like a gallop! These cats often stay playful and energetic, even when they get older. Many Cornish Rex cats enjoy playing fetch, racing other pets, or doing amazing acrobatic jumps.
Cornish Rex cats are also very adventurous and smart. They can easily get used to new places and love to explore every corner. They are super curious and enjoy being around people and other animals.
You can find Cornish Rex cats in many different colors and patterns. These include solid colors like white, black, chocolate, orange, blue, lilac, and cream. They also come in all kinds of tabby patterns, bicolor (like a "tuxedo" cat), tortoiseshell, "smoke" colors, and even the color-point pattern seen in Siamese cats.
How They Got Their Curly Fur
In 2013, scientists discovered what causes the Cornish Rex's unique curly fur. They found a small change in a specific gene on one of their chromosomes. This gene is important for keeping hair strong and healthy. When this gene has a certain change, it makes the cat's hair grow in a curly way. It's a bit like how some people have naturally curly hair!
Where Cornish Rex Cats Come From
The first Cornish Rex was a kitten named Kallibunker. He was born in the 1950s on a farm in Cornwall, UK. Kallibunker was a cream-colored male with very unusual, fine, and curly fur. He was the very first Cornish Rex!
His owner bred Kallibunker back with his mother. This helped produce two more kittens with curly coats. One of these kittens, a female named Lamorna Cove, was later taken to America. There, she was bred with a Siamese cat. This is why many Cornish Rex cats today have long, thin tails and big ears, similar to Siamese cats.
You might have heard of the Devon Rex cat. They look a bit like Cornish Rexes, but their curly fur is caused by a different genetic change. Devon Rexes still have some guard hairs, while Cornish Rexes don't have any. If you breed a Devon Rex and a Cornish Rex, their kittens won't have the short, wavy fur that makes these breeds special. Another cat breed with very little hair is the Sphynx cat, which might have a very light fuzz instead of fur.
Are They Good for People with Allergies?
Some people think that because Cornish Rex cats have short hair, they won't cause allergies. But this isn't quite true! Cat allergies are not caused by the length of a cat's hair. Instead, they are caused by a special protein called Fel d 1. This protein is found in a cat's skin, saliva (spit), and urine (pee).
When a cat cleans itself, its saliva gets on its fur. As the saliva dries, the protein turns into tiny dust particles called dander. People with cat allergies react when they breathe in this protein. Since Cornish Rex cats groom themselves just like other cats, they can still spread this protein.
However, many people who are allergic to cats report that they have fewer or milder reactions to Cornish Rex cats. If you have cat allergies and are thinking about getting a Cornish Rex, it's a good idea to visit a cattery (a place where cats are bred) first. This way, you can see if you have a reaction before bringing a cat home.
See also
In Spanish: Cornish rex para niños
