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发帖数: 536 | 1 In 1987, a mutant kitten was born in Montana with hair like a poodle. Named
Miss DePesto, this kitten grew up and birthed curly kittens of her own. As
the curly cat family tree grew, Miss DePesto's descendants eventually became
recognized as a new breed: the Selkirk Rex.
Now, 25 years and about nine kitty generations later, researchers at the
University of Veterinary Medicine, Austria, have confirmed that these
felines are genetically distinct from previously known breeds, making
Selkirk Rex the fourth curly-haired cat breed known.
The genetic quirk that makes a Selkirk Rex's hair kink is a dominant trait.
This makes the trait easy for breeders to retain even while crossing
breeding to maintain genetic diversity. Selkirk Rex is usually crossed with
Persians or British Shorthairs, making it a particularly laid back cat.
And while the Selkirk Rex is one of four curly-haired cat breeds, it easily
has the best hair. Devon Rex and Cornish Rex are breeds with curly, downy,
super-short hair, prone to balding, while the unimaginatively named LaPerm
breed has curly hair of average length hair -- but not nearly as plush and
thick as Selkirk Rex. Miss DePesto would be proud.
Check out some of these good looking mutant kitties below. |
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