Scottish fold cats are one of the most sought-after breeds of pet cats. These cats were initially known as lop-eared cats. The coat of this breed has both long and short hair variants. A longhair Scottish fold is also known as a Highland fold. Their characteristics include a round face and body, fluffy tail, and folded ears. This fold is caused due to a genetic mutation. A natural dominant gene in a Scottish fold cat’s chromosomes affects their cartilage, and thereby, causes folding of their ears. However, kittens are born with straight ears and the folding shows up a few days later.The first Scottish fold cat breed appeared in Scotland on a farm in 1961. This cat was a barn cat named Susie, who had the gene for folded ears, and so two of her kittens got it too. A farmer by the name of William Ross decided to breed one of these to get more cats with folded ears. Ross took the help of geneticist Pat Turner in his breeding experiment. Unfortunately, the barn cat named Susie died and the breeding was continued with her daughter named Snooks. All the Scottish folds seen today are descendants of Susie and products of her mutation.To learn more about this lovely cat with folded ears, keep reading! You can also check out leopard cat and Canada lynx facts too.
Fun Scottish Fold Cat Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? N/A
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? 5
How much do they weigh? Males: 9–13 lb (4-5.8 kg) Females: 6–9 lb (2.7-4 kg)
How long are they? 10-13 in (25.4-33 cm)
How tall are they? 8-10 in (20.3-25.4 cm)
What do they look like? White, cream, silver, red, brown, blue-cream, and black
Skin Type Fur
What were their main threats? N/a
What is their conservation status? Not Evaluated
Where you’ll find them? Households
Locations Scotland
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Felis
Class Mammalia
Family Felidae
Scottish Fold Cat Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a Scottish fold cat?Scottish folds are a medium-sized breed of domestic cats, known for their folded ears. This fold is caused due to a gene they carry. Originally, these cats were known as lop-eared cats.What class of animal does a Scottish fold cat belong to?Scottish fold cats belong to the class Mammalia. They are a member of the Felidae family.How many Scottish fold cats are there in the world?The exact number of Scottish fold cats is not known as they are bred by breeders to be kept as domestic cats.Where does a Scottish fold cat live?Scottish folds originated in Scotland. Ever since, they have become one of the most popular cat breeds and found as pets in Europe, America, and other places.What is a Scottish fold cat’s habitat?Being a domestic cat, Scottish folds are much more accustomed to living indoors.Who do Scottish fold cats live with?These cats have a very friendly personality and can comfortably live with humans, as well as other pets like dogs. Scottish folds are child-friendly as well and are known to be gentle towards children.How long does a Scottish fold cat live?Usually, this breed can live up to 15 years. Unfortunately, Scottish folds suffer a lot of health problems, mostly because of their genetic predisposition.How do they reproduce?A Scottish fold cat’s reproductive pattern is assumed to be similar to other breeds of cat. Female cats are known to have two to three estrous cycles every breeding season. During this time, they show mating behavior towards male cats. Once fertilization has been carried out, the standard gestation period lasts for about two months. Following this, Scottish folds give birth to five kittens on average. Each kitten has straight ears. Those that do have the genes for folded ears start showing this trait within 21 days after birth, while kittens that remain straight eared are known as Straights. Breeders mostly choose to mate Scottish folds with American or British shorthairs, so kittens that are born have lesser chances of acquiring any severe health conditions when they grow up.What is their conservation status?The conservation status of this domestic cat is Not Evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN. Since these cats are bred in captivity to be sold as pets, it can be assumed that their population is not endangered.Scottish Fold Cat Fun FactsWhat do Scottish fold cats look like?Scottish fold cats are medium-sized and have a round head, body, and eyes. Their neck is quite short. These cats appear in a variety of coat colors like white, cream, silver, red, brown, blue-cream, black with patterns like ticking, spots, smoke, and bicolor. There are both shorthair and longhair variants of this breed. Shorthair cats have extremely thick, plush, and soft coats. Longhaired ones, also known as the Highland fold, have medium to long hair or fur. The main feature of their appearance is their folded ears. However, Scottish fold kittens are born with straight ears which become folded within 21 days after birth. Their ears also appear quite small. The appearance of the Scottish fold is often compared to owls due to their folded ears. The eye color of these cats vary and can be gold, blue, green, or odd-eyed. Their tail is also quite fluffy.How cute are they?Scottish folds are exceptionally cute, not just because of their appearance, but also due to their personality. To add to their unique folded ears, round head, and body, these cats are very sweet in nature and exceptionally affectionate towards people of all ages. Kittens of this breed are also very adorable.How do they communicate?Scottish fold cats are not very vocal in nature. This feline has a soft voice and communicates through purrs and meows.How big is a Scottish fold cat?Scottish folds have a length of 10-13 in (25.4-33 cm) from head to tail. Their height is between 8-10 in (20.3-25.4 cm). The British shorthair cat is also in a similar range of length as Scottish folds.How fast can a Scottish fold cat run?Though the exact speed of Scottish fold cats is not known, these cats are active and playful. They love climbing heights and exploring. As pets, they can be trained to play fetch as well.How much does a Scottish fold cat weigh?Male Scottish folds have a weight between 9–13 lb (4-5.8 kg), while females weigh between 6–9 lb (2.7-4 kg).What are their male and female names of the species?A male Scottish fold cat is called a tomcat, while a female Scottish fold cat is called a molly cat.What would you call a baby Scottish fold cat?A baby Scottish fold cat is known as a kitten, just like other baby cats.What do they eat?Scottish fold cats need a diet that has a lesser amount of carbohydrates and more proteins. It is ideal to feed this feline more meat and fewer grains. They should also be given food items with adequate vitamins and minerals so that they can have healthy growth. This breed of cats can become obese if their food proportion is not properly regulated.Are they hypoallergenic?No, this breed of cat is not hypoallergenic. Scottish folds have a high tendency of shedding their coat which can cause allergic reactions in those who suffer from cat allergy. Even though these cats are quite the ideal pet, they shouldn’t be kept by those who suffer from such a condition.Would they make a good pet?Scottish fold cats have a ton of characteristics that make them very good pets. Their sweet and affectionate personality makes them a very popular choice as a pet cat. These cats are also very intelligent and playful. They become attached to those they live with. Their grooming requirements are also quite frequent. Longhaired Scottish folds need to be brushed twice a week to avoid hair-balls. These cats can also be kept alongside pet dogs or any other kind of pets. Since every kitten born to a Scottish fold does not display the characteristic folded ears, the ones that do are pretty expensive. Their price also varies depending on their history and bloodline. A Scottish fold kitten can cost between $800 to $1,500.Did you know…The name Scottish fold was given to this breed in the year 1966.These cats tend to sit in a unique way with their legs stretched out in front of them and their paws on their belly. This is known as the ‘Buddha position’ and they also like sleeping on their backs.A Scottish fold cat featured in a novel written by Peter Gethers known as ‘The Cat Who Went To Paris’. The fold cat was named Norton in the book.The popular singer Taylor Swift owns two Scottish fold cats.This cat breed is recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association, the American Association of Cat Enthusiasts, The International Cat Association, and the Cat Aficionado Association.Do Scottish fold cats have health problems?Scottish fold cats suffer from a number of health problems, some of which are due to genetic causes. Cats of this breed are prone to getting illnesses like cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease. Their biggest health issue is a disease called osteochondrodysplasia, which is a degenerative disease of the bone and joints, affecting the development of their cartilage and bones. This disease is attributed to the dominant gene mutation these Scottish folds have. Cats suffering from this disease face a lot of pain. This is why these folded-eared cats are banned from being bred in certain regions like Flanders in Belgium. This breed is also not accepted by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy. Researches suggest stopping the breeding of these cats with the folded ears gene too. Breeders nowadays breed a type of that is a cross between Scottish folds and British shorthairs or American shorthairs to avoid too many defects in kittens.Do Scottish fold cats like to cuddle?Scottish folds love being cuddled and held. This sweet pet cat breed is famous for its affectionate nature. In fact, Scottish fold cats are known to become depressed if they are left alone for too long. They love being the centre of attention and will enjoy sitting and napping on the lap of their owner.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including ringtail possum or chimpanzee.You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Scottish fold cat coloring pages.
What type of animal is a Scottish fold cat?
Scottish folds are a medium-sized breed of domestic cats, known for their folded ears. This fold is caused due to a gene they carry. Originally, these cats were known as lop-eared cats.
Fun Scottish Fold Cat Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? N/A
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? 5
How much do they weigh? Males: 9–13 lb (4-5.8 kg) Females: 6–9 lb (2.7-4 kg)
How long are they? 10-13 in (25.4-33 cm)
How tall are they? 8-10 in (20.3-25.4 cm)
What do they look like? White, cream, silver, red, brown, blue-cream, and black
Skin Type Fur
What were their main threats? N/a
What is their conservation status? Not Evaluated
Where you’ll find them? Households
Locations Scotland
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Felis
Class Mammalia
Family Felidae
Fun Scottish Fold Cat Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? N/A
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? 5
How much do they weigh? Males: 9–13 lb (4-5.8 kg) Females: 6–9 lb (2.7-4 kg)
How long are they? 10-13 in (25.4-33 cm)
How tall are they? 8-10 in (20.3-25.4 cm)
What do they look like? White, cream, silver, red, brown, blue-cream, and black
Skin Type Fur
What were their main threats? N/a
What is their conservation status? Not Evaluated
Where you’ll find them? Households
Locations Scotland
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Felis
Class Mammalia
Family Felidae
Fun Scottish Fold Cat Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? N/A
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? 5
How much do they weigh? Males: 9–13 lb (4-5.8 kg) Females: 6–9 lb (2.7-4 kg)
How long are they? 10-13 in (25.4-33 cm)
How tall are they? 8-10 in (20.3-25.4 cm)
What do they look like? White, cream, silver, red, brown, blue-cream, and black
Skin Type Fur
What were their main threats? N/a
What is their conservation status? Not Evaluated
Where you’ll find them? Households
Locations Scotland
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Felis
Class Mammalia
Family Felidae
Fun Scottish Fold Cat Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? N/A
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? 5
How much do they weigh? Males: 9–13 lb (4-5.8 kg) Females: 6–9 lb (2.7-4 kg)
How long are they? 10-13 in (25.4-33 cm)
How tall are they? 8-10 in (20.3-25.4 cm)
What do they look like? White, cream, silver, red, brown, blue-cream, and black
Skin Type Fur
What were their main threats? N/a
What is their conservation status? Not Evaluated
Where you’ll find them? Households
Locations Scotland
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Felis
Class Mammalia
Family Felidae
What do they prey on? N/A
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? 5
How much do they weigh? Males: 9–13 lb (4-5.8 kg) Females: 6–9 lb (2.7-4 kg)
How long are they? 10-13 in (25.4-33 cm)
How tall are they? 8-10 in (20.3-25.4 cm)
What do they look like? White, cream, silver, red, brown, blue-cream, and black
Skin Type Fur
What were their main threats? N/a
What is their conservation status? Not Evaluated
Where you’ll find them? Households
Locations Scotland
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Felis
Class Mammalia
Family Felidae
What do they prey on? N/A
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? 5
How much do they weigh? Males: 9–13 lb (4-5.8 kg) Females: 6–9 lb (2.7-4 kg)
How long are they? 10-13 in (25.4-33 cm)
How tall are they? 8-10 in (20.3-25.4 cm)
What do they look like? White, cream, silver, red, brown, blue-cream, and black
Skin Type Fur
What were their main threats? N/a
What is their conservation status? Not Evaluated
What do they prey on?
N/A
What do they eat?
Omnivore
Average litter size?
5
How much do they weigh?
Males: 9–13 lb (4-5.8 kg) Females: 6–9 lb (2.7-4 kg)
How long are they?
10-13 in (25.4-33 cm)
How tall are they?
8-10 in (20.3-25.4 cm)
What do they look like?
White, cream, silver, red, brown, blue-cream, and black
Skin Type
Fur
What were their main threats?
N/a
What is their conservation status?
Not Evaluated
Where you’ll find them? Households
Locations Scotland
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Felis
Class Mammalia
Family Felidae
Where you’ll find them?
Households
Locations
Scotland
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Felis
Kingdom
Animalia
Genus
Felis
Class Mammalia
Family Felidae
