Although cats may speak, it is indisputable that the majority of feline communication is done through body language. They particularly enjoy utilizing their tails to convey a variety of moods, which is why knowledgeable pet owners can identify the mood of their cat just by looking at its tail.
Most people adore it when cats curl their tails since it usually indicates that the cat is satisfied or happy. Naturally, cats with curling tails are really special. Therefore, it is not surprising that breeds with curly tails are in high demand.
The truth is that all cats have the ability to curl their tails. Only a small number of breeds, regrettably, have tails that are always curled. The American Ringtail was purposely bred to have a continuously curled tail, making it the only pure breed with that characteristic.
The curled tail feature is purely a matter of chance in other breeds. However, it has been noted that some breeds are more prone than others to possess this characteristic. Some of them are listed below.
Top 10 Cat Breeds with Curly Tails:
The American Ringtail
Look no farther than the American Ringtail if you want to be sure that your cat will have a curly tail. This is the only cat breed, as was already said, that always has a curled tail.
This cat, often referred to as the Ringtail Sing-a-Ling, was created in 1998 in California from a rescued kitten by the name of Solomon. Solomon’s tail started curling over his back awkwardly when he was only 4 weeks old, and as time went on, that position became Solomon’s natural tail position, according to rescuer and breed founder Susan Manley.
In an effort to produce a breed with Solomon’s characteristic curly tail, Manley began breeding Solomon in 1999. She combined several breeds, including Ragdolls and Domestic Shorthairs, to create the American Ringtail.
The American Ringtail is still a scarce breed, which accounts for the $500 to $1,000 price range for recognized kittens.
American Ringtails have straight tails while they are young, but they naturally curl as they get older.
Devon Rex
Although the Devon Rex is most known for its large ears, short, curly whiskers, and distinctive wavy hair, certain breeds also have curled tails. However, a Devon Rex mix is more likely to have that characteristic than a pure Devon Rex.
Devon Rexes are cunning and extremely intelligent. They are a fantastic choice for anyone searching for a sociable cat who enjoys having fun.
Russian Blue
The Russian Blue is a stunning cat with a blue-gray coat that is native to Northern Russia. Some Russian Blues do, however, wear a white coat.
The Russian Blue is also known for their “smile,” which is a result of the shape of their mouth. Fortunately, the Russian Blue is one of the friendliest cat breeds out there, and its personality matches its natural smile. As a result of their strong attachment to their owners, these cats frequently exhibit separation anxiety.
Although a curly tail is not one of the Russian Blue’s distinguishing characteristics, certain individuals have been noted to have naturally curling tails, suggesting this breed carries the gene for one.
Siamese
Siamese cats are known for their crossed eyes and loud vocalizations. It’s interesting to note that many Siamese cats have curled tails. According to legend, Siamese cats developed cross eyes and curly tails after a pair of them were assigned to guard a Buddha-owned golden cup.
They appeared to have crossed their eyes from staring at the glass for a very long period. While doing so, they curled their tails over the goblet to provide further protection.
The tails of Siamese cats used to be curled in the past. Sadly, some individuals thought the curled tail was crooked and did not appreciate it. Because of this, more and more breeders started breeding the Siamese’s curly tail feature out of them, which is why the majority of Siamese cats do not currently have a permanently curled tail.
Sphynx
The Sphynx is an unusual breed because of its hairless body. Even the cat’s eyelashes and whiskers are missing. Nevertheless, despite the cat’s lack of fur, it is still quite striking.
People appreciate Sphynx cats for their friendly demeanor and fondness of cuddling. According to experts, the Sphynx’s cuddly behavior can be ascribed to the cat’s requirement for a backup source of heat as a result of its lack of heat.
Unfortunately, the Sphynx cat is more vulnerable to a variety of health problems than the typical house cat, necessitating more care. This breed carries the gene for a curly tail, thus some individuals are born with one.
Bengal
Of all the house cat breeds, the Bengal cat has possibly the most beautiful coat. Beautiful marbled or rosette patterns resembling those of a leopard or cheetah can be found on the Bengal’s coat. Although one of its parents, the Asian leopard cat, is a wild cat, the Bengal is not.
This breed was created by mating several domestic cats in the United States with Asian leopard cats. This breed is vivacious, self-assured, and stoic with a somewhat crazy attitude.
Some Bengals have curly tails, though the majority have straight tails.
Ragdoll
The majority of cat breeds do not enjoy being held for long periods of time. The Ragdoll, though, is an exception to that rule. The ultimate cuddling kitty is this one. Not only will the Ragdoll enjoy being in your laps or arms, but it will also become limp as soon as you take it up. It is a big breed of domestic cat and has a nice disposition.
Ragdolls occasionally have curled tails. Due of the larger gene pool, this characteristic is more likely to appear in Ragdoll mixes.
Scottish Fold
The Scottish Fold is a very expressive and sweet-tempered breed. The cat gets its name from its unusual folded ears, which are its defining characteristic. Though certain individuals also have curly tails, the Scottish Fold’s ears are not the only anatomical features that curl.
Singapura
The Singapura is a native of Singapore and was created to thaw the coldest hearts, as you can surely infer from its name. With the majority of individuals measuring between 4 and 8 pounds as adults, this feline is among the tiniest house cats in the entire globe.
It won’t come as a surprise to learn how lovely this tiny kitten is. Despite their diminutive size, Singapura cats have enormous personalities and like being the focus of attention. Some Siamese-related cats from Singapore have curly tails.
Ocicat
The Ocicat is a stunning cat that, in terms of athleticism and coat pattern, resembles a Bengal cat. An Abyssinian and a Siamese were crossed to create this breed. Therefore, it is not surprising that some Ocicats have curly tails.
Conclusion
It is believed that a recessive gene causes the curly tail trait. This means that a cat needs two copies of the curly tail gene in order to have this characteristic. Therefore, you will boost your chances of getting a kitten with a naturally curled tail by mating cat breeds with this gene.
The only breed in which everyone has a curled tail is the American Ringtail. The other breeds on our list happened to be there by happenstance.
Shutterstock, Yuryi Oleinikov, for the featured photo
