The internet is full of pictures and videos of strange and unusual looking cats. While most house cats look fairly similar, with only minor variations in fur color and pattern, some cats have very distinctive appearances that make people wonder exactly what breed they are. One such cat that frequently pops up online is a bald looking sphynx cat with huge satellite dish ears. This bizarre and alien-like cat has prompted many to ask: What is the breed of this weird looking cat?
Identifying Characteristics
The cat in question has several identifying features that make it stand out from more common cats:
– Lack of fur – This cat is nearly bald, with just a light fuzz covering its pinkish skin. It lacks the fur coat found in most cat breeds.
– Over-sized ears – The cat’s ears are enormous, standing straight up like giant radar dishes on the top of its head. The ears look out of proportion with the rest of the cat’s face and body.
– Wrinkled skin – Without fur, the cat’s skin appears wrinkled and folded, especially around the face, giving the cat a wrinkly appearance.
– Lean build – The cat has a slender, lean build without the soft roundness seen in furrier cat breeds. Its long slender limbs contribute to its unusual look.
Sphynx Cat Breed
After examining the hairless appearance and large satellite dish ears, it becomes clear this is a Sphinx cat. The Sphinx is a unique cat breed characterized by its lack of fur.
The breed originated in Canada in the 1960s when a hairless kitten was born to a domestic cat. The hairless gene was deliberately bred into subsequent generations to establish the Sphinx breed. While the first Sphinx cats stemmed from a natural mutation, the modern Sphinx has been selectively bred for multiple generations.
Breed Characteristics
Beyond the lack of fur, the Sphinx breed has several other distinguishing features:
| Large ears | Prominent cheekbones |
| Wrinkled skin | Whip-like tail |
| Lean, muscular body | Webbed feet |
The hairless gene responsible for the Sphinx’s baldness is dominant, so Sphinx kittens are frequently born hairless. However, some may have a light coat of fur that falls out as they grow.
Personality
Despite their unusual appearance, Sphinx cats have outgoing and affectionate personalities. They tend to seek out human interaction and crave attention. Their intelligence makes them highly trainable compared to other cats.
Due to their heat sensitivity, the Sphinx often prefers to be in close proximity to their owners. They love to cuddle and sleep under blankets to stay warm.
Hairlessness Explained
The Sphinx’s defining hairless trait stems from a genetic mutation that prevents hair from growing properly. However, the breed is not completely bald. Most Sphinx cats have a subtle fuzzy fur that resembles peach fuzz.
There are a few theories as to why the hairless mutation originated:
Spontaneous Natural Mutation
The hairless gene may have spontaneously occurred as a natural genetic mutation in a feral domestic cat population. Breeders noticed the unique trait and selectively bred the hairless cats to propagate the trait. Similar mutations have been observed in wild cat populations as well.
Hybridization
Some speculate that ancient Sphinx ancestors may have hybridized with hairless breeds from South America or elsewhere. This could have introduced the genetic mutation into the population.
Heat Adaptation
Another theory suggests that the mutation provided an evolutionary advantage in warmer climates by enabling better heat dissipation. However, most hairless cats like the Sphinx struggle in cold weather.
Health Considerations
While unique, the Sphinx breed does come with some health considerations:
– Require diligent skin care – Lack of fur means their skin is more prone to sunburn, abrasions, and acne.
– Prone to chills – They need warm clothing and bedding to maintain proper body temperature.
– May have heart or dental issues – Some lines are prone to hereditary cardiomyopathy or gingivitis.
– Allergies – Sphinx kittens from first-generation crosses with furry cats may still trigger allergies.
With proper care, most Sphinx cats enjoy long and healthy lives as amazing pets. Their distinctive appearance demands special attention compared to furry felines.
Popularity and Hybrids
While still rare, the striking Sphinx has grown in popularity worldwide. They were first imported to Britain and North America in the 1970s and breeding programs began spreading shortly after.
In addition to purebred Sphinx cats, breeders have developed Sphinx hybrids by crossing them with other breeds:
| Bambino | Sphynx x Munchkin |
| Minskin | Sphynx x Munchkin x Burmese |
| DWELF | Sphynx x American Curl x American Shorthair |
These hybrids combine the Sphinx’s hairless genes with traits from other breeds. For example, the Bambino has the short legs of a Munchkin cat.
Show Standards
Sphinx cats are recognized by major breeding associations and can be shown in pedigreed cat competitions. The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and International Cat Association (TICA) outline standards for showing:
– Short, human-like body with prominent ribs
– Wedge-shaped head that is long and narrow
– Large, broad-based ears
– Deep-set eyes and high cheekbones
– Fine bones and slender but muscular build
– Hairless or virtually hairless appearance
Judges evaluate Sphinx cats based on how closely they conform to the ideal breed standards in terms of body type, facial features, and hairlessness. Strange as they appear, the Sphinx breed has defined characteristics just like other pedigreed cats.
Conclusion
The bizarre and alien-like appearance of the hairless, big-eared cat in viral photos captures the curiosity of many. On closer inspection, the weird looking feline is identified as a Sphinx – a unique and ancient breed defined by its hairlessness. Beyond the lack of fur, the wrinkled skin and over-sized ears give the Sphinx a striking and otherworldly look. While high maintenance, these affectionate cats make quirky yet endearing pets for the right owners. The hairless mutation remains a fascination among breeders, who continue to develop new crosses and hybrids with the Sphinx. So while they may look extraterrestrial at first glance, the Sphinx breed has become an accepted part of the pedigreed cat fancy.
