Certain cat breeds are distinguished by their distinct physical characteristics in addition to their personalities. Their wild and majestic appearance is accentuated by the tassels or tufts on their ears, which are one of their most striking features. These subtle but distinctive characteristics enhance the allure of some breeds and are frequently linked to them.
Finding out which breeds have ear tassels can be interesting, whether you’re a cat lover or just interested in feline traits. These breeds are often even more unique due to their unique characteristics and rich histories. Let’s examine a few of the most well-known felines that possess this unique quality.
| Cat Breed | Description |
|---|---|
| Scottish Fold | Known for their unique folded ears and sweet demeanor. |
| Kurilian Bobtail | A rare breed with tufted ears and a bobbed tail, friendly and active. |
| Himalayan | With long, luxurious fur and pointed coloration, they have a gentle nature. |
| Norwegian Forest Cat | Robust with tufted ears, they are great climbers and very playful. |
The characteristic ear tassels, or "lynx tips," of certain cat breeds, such as the Maine Coon and the Caracal, are well-known. They stand out from other cats thanks to these tiny fur tufts that give them a wild, distinctive look. Although the precise purpose of these tassels is still up for debate, cat enthusiasts highly value them for their striking appearance and frequently associate them with the natural origins of these breeds.
History of breeding cats with tassels on their ears
Almost all long-haired cats have tiny tassels at the tips of their ears, as can be seen if you examine them closely. Despite the fact that many cats lose their tassels as they age. Tassels are standard for a number of officially recognized breeds, though.
The precise reason cats require tassel-like decorations is still unknown. Regarding this, three theories exist:
- Tassels on the ears are like sound amplifiers. They help the animal not only to amplify weak sounds, but also to accurately determine the source of the noise. It is thanks to the tassels that wild cats have become such professional hunters: they can hear even the faint rustling of mice under the snow. However, this theory has been questioned many times, since the hairs on the tips of the ears are in no way connected with the cat"s sense organs.
- Another version says that the tuft of hair on the ears is a kind of beacon, thanks to which animals see each other at a great distance. For example, a lynx naturally has excellent eyesight, and the original decoration helps the wild cat notice its fellows from afar, even in the densest forest.
- The last theory says that the tassels are a parameter that determines the age of the cat. That is, the longer and darker the hairs on the tips of the ears, the older and more experienced the cat. But even in a forest lynx at a respectable age, the tassels can have a light shade, so few people take this theory seriously.
Given that cats instantly respond to sound by perching their ears as high as possible, it is highly likely that the brushes act as sound locators.
On the other hand, a lot of cat breeders who use tassels on their ears are curious about the origin of this unusual "decoration" and when it first appeared. Every recognized breed of cat has a unique history, but the Norwegian forest cat is formally regarded as one of the "oldest" breeds of cats with tassels on their ears.
The Norwegian forest cat first appears in written records in the sixteenth century. It’s possible, by the way, that she was the ancestor of the contemporary Maine Coons. But depictions of pre-Columbian Scandinavian culture make it abundantly evident that Norwegians traveled with the Vikings well before the sixteenth century. For instance, according to certain myths and sagas, the god Thor was constantly accompanied on his travels by a "fluffy forest beauty," whose attributes are strikingly similar to those of a contemporary Norwegian cat.
Accordingly, the Norwegian forest cat can be regarded as the earliest example of a cat having tassels on its ears, if you believe the Scandinavian sagas. She went on to become the progenitor of numerous tasselled breeds today.
When Thor sailed on a ship, a fluffy cat would always accompany him, even when they were traveling on land in a chariot.
Cat breeds with tassels on the ears
The majority of cats with tassels at the tips of their ears are not thought to be modern breeds. It should be noted that Neva Masquerade cats occasionally develop tassels on their ears. Therefore, the emergence of these "decorations" is linked to the first indications of wild ancestors. The tassels are strictly upward-pointing, but they are hardly perceptible. Masquerade cats are not on our list because their trait is "random" rather than inherited.
Maine Coon
One of the most popular breeds of domestic cats is the Maine Coon. Maine Coons, who were first bred in the United States, are thought to be descended from cats native to the Northeastern American state of Maine. How the breed came to be known in 1982.
Felines can weigh up to 8.2 kg, while females can only weigh up to 5.4 kg. The largest cats have a wither length of up to 41 centimeters. Simultaneously, the maximum length of the body including the tail is 12 centimeters (the maximum length of the tail is 36 centimeters). That is to say, Maine Coons are about the size of a medium-sized dog.
From birth, tassels are present on the ears of both males and females. Due to selection, kittens with a broad range of colors have been produced, so the color of the fur can almost always be any color. The breed, like all mammals whose ancestral home has been in northern regions, has extremely thick fur. Maine coons have a 12- to 15-year lifespan.
Maine coons require a diet high in proteins and other nutrients. Since the breed’s primary characteristics are mobility and playfulness, owners must make sure their cats have access to a variety of toys and plenty of space for games, as well as a healthy diet. If your pet is fed natural food, then 70% of its diet should consist of lean meat, with the remaining 30% coming from sea fish, boiled eggs, and milk porridge. Breeders do, however, also believe in specialty cat food.
Maine Coons are unusually large and heavy for cats, but they are also incredibly loving animals that bond with their owners quickly and act like regular members of the cat family, purring, lying on laps, and demanding attention.
In nurseries, a Maine Coon kitten can cost anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 rubles.
A large Maine Coon cat is devoted and has a personality similar to a dog.
Siberian cat
Sources from the sixteenth century first mentioned cats that resembled modern Siberian cats. The animals were known as Bukhara cats at the time. Cats were primarily found in Siberian forests, but they were also occasionally found in other regions of the Russian Empire.
The semi-longhaired breeds include the modern Siberian cat; the standard was established in 1997. Dense fur became the hallmark of fluffy beauties and shielded the ancestors of animals from harsh Siberian frosts. Although the breed can be any color, it must have tassels on the ears and a strong, fluffy tail.
The Siberian cat is a massive feline. Men and women can weigh up to 9 and 7 kilograms, respectively. Puberty was impacted by harsh living conditions; Siberians reach sexual maturity no earlier than age five. In the meantime, cats typically live for fifteen years on average.
Siberians are gentle and submissive people. Cats, on the other hand, will never bother their owner because they can play with anything in the apartment. Since animals enjoy heights, they frequently take a nap or rest on kitchen set shelves or cupboards.
Kittens are valued at around 5,000 rubles apiece, which is not too expensive.
Despite being related breeds, Siberian and Maine Coon cats have less noticeable tassels on their ears.
Chausie
This breed was only identified by felinologists in 2003. The Abyssinian cat and the wild jungle cat are thought to be the Chausie’s ancestors. Given how much the Chausie resembles the image of the ancient Egyptian goddess Bast, there is a theory that the Chausie is one of the oldest cat breeds.
This breed of cat grows to be fairly large, standing 40 centimeters tall and weighing a lot. For instance, a sexually mature adult cat can weigh up to 15 kg; female cats weigh around 10 to 12 kg less.
The Chausie has thick, very short fur. In addition, the breed only comes in three different color varieties:
- black;
- ticked silver;
- ticked tabby.
Additionally, for any color, the tassels on the ears and the tip of the tail should be black. The skin should have some sort of pattern, if not a very distinct one. A black "necklace" around the neck is indicative of the breed.
The Chausie’s personality blends two opposites: on the one hand, it is a charming and loving animal, and on the other, it is a predator. It is therefore unlikely that you will be able to fully control your pet in accordance with your rules.
The breed can be regarded as pricey in every way; individual specimens can cost up to one million rubles, and kittens must cost at least 200 thousand rubles. The animals require a lot of room to play and have an insatiable appetite in addition to having very weak digestion. Up until the third generation, male Chausie cats must remain sterile. A pet can live for ten to fifteen years.
Because Chausie were bred in Egypt, they are sometimes referred to as "Chausie" or "Nile cats."
Pixie-bob
The outcome of selection efforts is the Pixiebob breed. The goal of geneticists was to develop a new breed with a lynx-like appearance. That being said, the experiments weren’t successful until the 1980s. And because of the lengthy tassels on the tips of her ears, the first cat was given the name Pixie, which translates to "elf." Nowadays, the majority of felinological systems recognize this breed.
Pixie-bob has a large, massive body and a short tail that can reach up to three centimeters. Male cats can weigh up to 8 kg, while female cats typically weigh 3–6 kg. The primary characteristic of the breed is that having six toes on one’s paws is accepted as a characteristic that does not disqualify a person.
The "animal" appearance of the breed, which consists of deeply set eyes and a powerful chin, is thought to be its primary characteristic. Nevertheless, these cats are more like dogs in nature and are incredibly obedient and loving despite their rather scary appearance. Pets often view pixie-bobs as extremely devoted companions because they enjoy playing with people and going everywhere with them.
The pixie-bob’scoathas a rigidly defined color:
- only shades of Brown Spotted Tabby mouse color;
- intensive ticking.
We can now tell the breed’s long-haired and short-haired members apart. Kittens from breeders are sold for 30,000–50,000 rubles and more.
A big, intimidating cat enjoys having a funny little tail.
Norwegian Forest Cat
The breed is widespread throughout Europe, mostly in Norway. Cats were acknowledged as a distinct breed in 1977. The ability to descend from a tree upside down is a distinctive trait shared by all Norwegians, acquired during their process of acclimating to new environmental circumstances.
Cats typically weigh between 5 and 5.5 kg, although they can reach up to 8 or 9 kg in weight.
The Norwegian forest cat has a long, fluffy tail. Animals typically have tails that are the same length as their bodies. Cats have incredibly thick fur. The breed is known for having "triple" basic wool, which consists of the covering and underlying hairs in addition to the wool itself. Adorable brushes on large ears. Other than a color-punch, any color can be used. In this instance, the fur and eye colors matching up is thought to be a sign of the breed.
The breed is regarded as being extremely calm and submissive. Cats enjoy cuddling up to their owners and purring. It should be mentioned that Norwegians can be playful for up to 10 to 14 years of their lives.
A kitten can cost anywhere from 2,000 to 25,000 rubles, depending on its pedigree and outside information.
The Norwegian Forest Cat has large, expressive tassels on its ears.
In addition to being aesthetically stunning, cats with ear tufts frequently have intriguing backstories and personalities. These distinguishing characteristics set breeds like the Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, and Caracal apart in the world of felines.
Their ear tufts protect their ears in the winter and improve their hearing in the wild, among other functions. Not every cat breed has them, but those that do are frequently prized for their distinct, untamed look.
If you’re thinking about bringing one of these magnificent cats into your home, make sure the breed is a good fit for your lifestyle by learning about its care needs and temperament.
