🐾 Scottish Fold

Scottish Fold

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Who it is

• Scientific name: Felis catus
• Family & relatives: A domestic cat breed in the family Felidae; like all pet cats it descends from the wildcat.
• How to spot it: A round-faced, sweet-looking cat whose ears fold forward and down, making its head look extra round.

Its body & abilities

• Size: About 20 to 25 cm tall at the shoulder and up to 45 cm long, not counting the tail.
• Weight: Usually about 2.5 to 6 kg (6 to 13 lb).
• Body & adaptations: A natural gene gives it folded ears; not every kitten in a litter has them, and some have straight ears.
• Top speed: Nimble and playful, it can dash and leap around the house like any cat.
• Strength: Small but springy, it can jump onto counters and shelves with ease.
• Senses: Good night vision, sharp hearing, and a keen sense of smell despite its folded ears.
• Growing up: Born as a tiny kitten with straight ears, its ears may begin to fold at about three weeks old.

Where it lives

• Habitat: Warm indoor homes, where it loves soft laps and cozy corners.
• Where in the world: Kept as a pet worldwide; the breed began on a farm in Scotland in 1961 with a cat named Susie.
• Territory: A homebody that enjoys its familiar rooms and the company of its family.

What it eats

• Diet: A carnivore that eats meat-based cat food and always needs fresh water nearby.
• Favorite foods: Good-quality cat food made mostly of meat or fish, plus small healthy treats.
• How it hunts: Its hunting instinct comes out in play as it chases toys, strings, and little balls.

How it behaves

• How it moves: Walks softly on padded paws and sometimes sits up on its back legs like a little owl.
• When it is active: Playful in the morning and evening and a champion napper the rest of the day.
• Family life: A friendly, calm cat that loves being with people; a group of cats is called a clowder.
• How it talks: Communicates with quiet meows, happy purrs, and slow, trusting blinks.
• Babies: After about 65 days a mother cat gives birth to a litter of around four kittens that she feeds and grooms.

Its place in nature

• Role in nature: A gentle indoor companion known for its sweet face and calm, friendly nature.
• Conservation: A domestic breed that is popular worldwide and not at risk.
• Dangers: The folding gene can affect joints, so it needs gentle care and regular vet checkups.

Life & legacy

• How long it lives: About 11 to 15 years with good care.
• In our culture: Famous online for its round face and folded ears, it is one of the internet's most beloved cats.
• Where to see it: Family homes and cat shows around the world, where its folded ears draw smiles.
• Fun fact: Scottish Folds often sit up straight with their legs out in a pose people call the 'Buddha position'.