You’ll Never Forget These Unusual and Rare Cat Breeds

These rare cat breeds are mesmerizing.

Some cats stand out because their appearance isn’t what we’re used to seeing when we think of cats. They may have weird ears, webbed toes or out-of-the-ordinary markings.

A cat breed can be considered strange or even weird, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t beautiful in their own way. It’s their imperfections and unusual characteristics that make them special. Something about a cat who’s a bit different keeps us fascinated and wanting to know more.

Read on to discover some of the most astonishingly rare cats out there.

American Curl

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Temperament: Affectionate, Inquisitive, Social

Weight: 7-10 pounds (male), 5-8 pounds (female)

Longevity: 10-20 years

Bottom line: What’s unusual about the American curl cat? The clue is in their name. You can’t miss their large walnut-shaped ears, which curve or curl backward in a 90-degree smooth arc. While their ears may be their most noticeable characteristic, they also have very pretty fur that comes in many different colors and patterns. These cats keep in touch with their inner-kitten throughout their lives and are always ready to play. American curl cats are difficult to resist with their super-cute looks and charming personality.

Bambino

Cat Breed List

Temperament: Friendly, Social, Affectionate

Weight: 5-9 pounds

Longevity: 12+ years

Bottom line: A Bambino cat is what you get when you cross a Sphynx and Munchkin cat. They’re hairless, have a super skinny tail and have a wise expression on their face. These cats are super affectionate and want to be everybody’s friend. While the Bambino cat might not be the most traditionally attractive cat you’ll ever see, their delightful and loving personality makes them beautiful and excellent companions who love to go on adventures.

Cornish Rex

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Temperament: Highly Active, Loves Attention

Weight: 6-9 pounds (male), 5-7 pounds (female)

Longevity: 11-15 years

Bottom line: One thing about Cornish Rex cats is that they always stand out in a crowd. Why? Because of their gigantic ears, extremely large eyes, curly whiskers and egg-shaped heads. In addition, Cornish Rex cats sport an extraordinary coat with strong wavy patterns. Their looks aren’t the only things they’ve got going for them, either. Cornish Rex cats also love to be around people and are great with families, good with strangers and versatile enough to be good travelers.

Devon Rex

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Temperament: Entertaining, Social, Affectionate

Weight: 6-9 pounds

Longevity: 9-15 years

Bottom line: Words that don’t describe Devon Rex cats are ordinary, boring or wallflowers. These cats stand out with their cartoonishly big ears, long skinny necks, piercing eyes and oddly shaped heads. But even with their distinctive looks, it’s their jokester personalities that make them fun to be around. Devons are feline foodies and won’t ever turn down a meal — even if it’s yours! You’ll need to guard your plate when a Devon Rex is present, or prepare to have your burger, fries or even asparagus tips stolen and gobbled up.

Donskoy

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Temperament: Affectionate, Intelligent, Friendly

Weight: 6-13 pounds

Longevity: 12-15 years

Bottom line: Donskoy cats are another hairless cat breed, so they appear completely bald and wrinkled. While they don’t have fur, their skin does come in various colors. Donskoy cats have big ears, piercing eyes and webbed toes. It would be unsettling to wake up from a deep sleep and find a Donskoy staring at you. But don’t be too alarmed: Donskoy cats are extremely smart, trainable, affectionate, friendly and aren’t plotting revenge.

Egyptian Mau

Gray Egyptian Mau cat Thomas Leirikh / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Temperament: Active, Faithful, Understanding

Weight: 10-14 pounds (male), 6-10 pounds (female)

Longevity: 12-15 years

Bottom line: What makes Egyptian Mau cats special is their spectacular spotted coat and the fact they’re the only domestic cats whose spots are naturally occurring. They also have a long, dark dorsal stripe that goes from their head along their spine to the base of the tail. Besides being elegant and striking, this breed is astonishingly fast due to its longer hind legs. Not only do Egyptian Mau’s facial expressions change along with their mood, but their eyes can shift from green to turquoise.

Elf Cat

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Temperament: Social, Friendly, Smart

Weight: 10-15 pounds

Longevity: 8-14 years

Bottom line: Elf cats are a hybrid of the American curl and Sphynx breeds, and they seem to have the best qualities of both. Elf cats are considered extremely rare and unusual. They have very large ears that bend at the tips as if they were two pincher fingers. Elf cats are gentle, adaptable and friendly. Like many hairless or partially hairless cats, they need to be in a temperate environment since their delicate skin can get easily damaged.

Exotic Shorthair

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Temperament: Peaceful, Laid-back, Agreeable

Weight: 7-14 pounds (male), 6-10 pounds (female)

Longevity: 12-14 years

Bottom line: Exotic shorthair cats are the short-hair version of Persian cats, and owning one is like having a Persian without the grooming bills. They’re a brachycephalous breed, which means their nose and eyes are close together giving their face a pushed-in appearance — not unlike bulldogs, pugs or Boston terriers. While they may look like they’re judging you, they actually couldn’t be calmer or more relaxed. They’re sometimes called furniture with fur for their laid-back vibe.

Highlander

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Temperament: High Energy, Playful, Quiet

Weight: 15-20 pounds

Longevity: 7-15 years

Bottom line: Highlander cats didn’t happen as an accident. They’re a deliberate hybrid of the desert lynx and the jungle curl breeds. They may have some wildcat blood in them, but they’re completely domesticated and make excellent pets. Besides their classic spotted or bullseye fur, Highlanders have wide-set eyes, ears that curl, an abbreviated tail and, oftentimes, extra toes. They may look fierce but they’re people-oriented cats that prefer to play than attack.

Japanese Bobtail

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Temperament: Outgoing, Quirky, Intelligent

Weight: 7-10 pounds (male), 5-7 pounds (female)

Longevity: 15-18 years

Bottom line: Japanese bobtail cats are one of the oldest cat breeds around and can trace their lineage back to the sixth century. What makes this breed stand out is their small tails that look more like a rabbit’s tail than a cat’s. Oddly enough, Japanese bobtail cats tend to hop like bunnies when they run. Their tails make them distinctive, but their personality makes them popular. They’re very social, have a sweet temperament and are considered good luck.

Khao Manee

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Temperament: Loyal, Curious, Intelligent

Weight: 8-12 pounds

Longevity: 10-12 years

Bottom line: It’s easy to tell the difference between a Khao Manee cat and another cat breed — they have very distinctive eyes. Often, one of the Khao Manee’s eyes will be blue, and the other will be either amber, yellow or green, or it could be any combination of colors. Their fur is white, which is fitting since the name Khao Manee translates into “white jewel.” They’re considered to be very good luck in Thailand and are a much-coveted kitty.

Kurilian Bobtail

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Temperament: Sweet, Gentle, Friendly

Weight: 8-15 pounds

Longevity: 15-20 years

Bottom line: Whether they’re short- or long-haired, it’s their pom-pom tail that makes the Kurilian bobtail cat stand out. Their stub tails are more like fascinators on hats than something that’s looked at as a flaw. Their tails add interest and something different that enhances the Kurilian bobtail’s beauty. You won’t see many of them in the United States because they’re most popular in Russia and other parts of Europe. They’re excellent hunters and fishercats and love to hang out by water.

La Perm

LaPerm Cat Club / Facebook

Temperament: People-Oriented, Energetic, Friendly

Weight: 7-10 pounds (male), 5-8 pounds (female)

Longevity: 10-15 years

Bottom line: Though it may appear as if La Perm cats have had perms, they come by their curls naturally without spending time and money at the hair salon. La Perm cats tend to have curly coats, but they do sometimes have straight hair. No matter if they’re long- or short-haired, their coat is made up of gentle waves and ringlets, with the tightest of their curls at the base of their neck. La Perm cats have a scruffy but lovable look even after they’ve been groomed.

Lambkin

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Temperament: Sweet, Gentle, Tolerant

Weight: 5-9 pounds

Longevity: 12-14 years

Bottom line: Question — what cat resembles a baby lamb? If your answer is a Lambkin, then give yourself a prize; you answered correctly. Lambkins are a cross between a Selkirk Rex and a Munchkin cat. They have a genetic form of dwarfism in which their limbs are stopped from growing while the rest of the body continues to develop. The distinctive walk of a Lambkin is more of a waddle than a sprint. Their fur looks like wool but feels super soft, making them extra cuddly.

Lykoi

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Temperament: Intelligent, Energetic, Social

Weight: 10-13 pounds (male), 5-9 pounds (female)

Longevity: 8-15 years

Bottom line: If there was a prize for the strangest-looking cat breed, Lykois would win it — paws down. Their patchy fur looks as if they’re a werewolf in transition. Their unusual appearance is due to a natural mutation. You might think they look grumpy or as if they’re having a very bad day, but they’re actually easy-going and loving companions. Lykois are much more likely to snuggle up in your lap than howl at the moon.

Manx

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Temperament: Sweet-tempered, Affectionate, Friendly

Weight: 8-12 pounds

Longevity: 9-13 years

Bottom line: Manx cats are one of the most recognizable rare cat breeds. People may know them best because of their tail-less status, but they’re also impressive hunters, adaptable, and strangest of all, they like riding in cars. In the United Kingdom, Manx cats have the nicknames Stubbin and Rumpy, which sound less like pet names and more like the title of an animated program. Their fur comes in all different kinds of colors and patterns, but rarely do you find an all-white Manx cat.

Minskin

De Paulmcsorley / Wikimedia

Temperament: Confident, Loving, Intelligent

Weight: 6-9 pounds

Longevity: 12-15 years

Bottom line: Minskin cats may be a hybrid of various cross-breeding between Burmese and Munchkin cats with some Sphynx and Devon Rex thrown in. Truth be told, Minskin cats actually look like the feline version of a Corgi. They’re very low to the ground, with compact bodies and short legs. Their ears are set wide apart and are wider at the base than the tips, and they have unusually large eyes as if they’ve always just seen something surprising. They’re a good family pet because they’re very fond of children.

Munchkin

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Temperament: Devoted, Friendly, Curious

Weight: 6-9 pounds

Longevity: 12-15 years

Bottom line: There’s a good reason why hearing the name Munchkin reminds you of “The Wizard of Oz” because this breed of cat is named after the good citizens of Oz. Their build is the standard for cats, but they have shorter legs. Even though their legs are small, that doesn’t stop them from running and jumping at full force. Note: This breed is controversial since they do have a mutation that causes health problems and bone deformity.

Norwegian Forest

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Temperament: Social, Independent, Smart

Weight: 12-18 pounds (male), 8-12 pounds (female)

Longevity: 13-16 years

Bottom line: Norwegian Forest cats are extremely big, but they’re not the largest of the cat breeds; that honor goes to the Maine Coon breed. Not only are Norwegian Forest cats sizable, but their fluffy fur and build make them look humongous. However, they needed their thick waterproof coat and solid body to protect them against the freezing Norwegian winters. They have long legs, fluffy tails and are very good at climbing because of their strong claws. While they may look intimidating, don’t worry, they’re big softies on the inside.

Ocicat

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Temperament: Athletic, Social, Attached

Weight: 10-15 pounds (male), 7-12 pounds (female)

Longevity: 15-18 years

Bottom line: Which cat breed looks like a wildcat but has no big-cat DNA? Ocicats, that’s what. They get their name from ocelots whom they resemble. Ocicats are a mixture of Abyssinian, Siamese and American shorthair cats, and they have characteristics from all of them. Most noticeable are their almond-shaped eyes, wedge-shaped heads and well-muscled bodies. However, it’s the oval-shaped contrasting spots of their fur that draw the eye and give them the feel of a wildcat.

Peterbald

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Temperament: Outgoing, Playful, Social

Weight: 8-10 pounds (male), 6-8 pounds (female)

Longevity: 12-15 years

Bottom line: Peterbald cats have such a wise and worldly appearance that you wish you could go to them for advice. They’re another of the “hairless” breeds. They have some fur as kittens but lose it as they mature. Peterbalds have five different coats, including flocked, velour, brush, short or bald. What makes them recognizable are their long defined heads, almond-shaped eyes, widely set apart ears, elongated tails and webbed feet. They make good use of their feet by opening doors or picking things up with them.

Pixiebob

De Simone Johnsson / Wikimedia Commons

Temperament: Active, Friendly, Intelligent

Weight: 12-17 pounds (male), 8-12 pounds (female)

Longevity: 12+ years

Bottom line: Pixiebob cats have the face of a bobcat and the presence of a contented housecat. They may appear dangerous, but these feline sweethearts have loving and affectionate personalities with their humans. Pixiebobs adore spending time with their families, which could be why they’ve earned the nickname, “Dogs in disguise.” Their spotted coats come in short or long hair, minuscule tails, tufts of fur on their ears and tend to have extra toes.

Savannah

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Temperament: Affectionate, Bold, Territorial

Weight: 12-25 pounds

Longevity: 12-20 years

Bottom line: Savannah cats are a cross between African wildcats and domestic cats, which makes them larger than regular house cats. They have spotted coats, a tear-stained marking that runs from the corner of the eye to the whiskers and rounded erect ears. They’re extremely loyal and get along with people very well. Savannah cats love playing with water so much that some take showers with their owners. Just remember: They are banned in several states due to their hybrid status.

Scottish Fold

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Temperament: Social, Inventive, Smart

Weight: 9-13 pounds (male), 6-9 pounds (female)

Longevity: 11-15 years

Bottom line: The Scottish Fold cat’s folded ears are adorable, but what makes this breed truly unique is the way they position their bodies. It’s not unlikely to see a Scottish Fold sleeping on the floor with their legs spread out in all directions, sitting up like Buddha with their paws on their belly or laying on their back with their paws in the air. They also enjoy doing their best meerkat impressions by sitting up on their hind legs and checking out the scene.

Selkirk Rex

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Temperament: Smart, Sociable, Versatile

Weight: 6-16 pounds

Longevity: 15-20 years

Bottom line: How often do you see a cat with wavy fur? Not often, as Selkirk Rex cats are one of only four cat breeds that have it. Often, their fur is a mix of wavy and curly hair, giving their fur a textured appearance. Not all Selkirk Rex cats have those curly wavy coats, but those that do tend to lose their curls, only to them get them back as they approach 1 year old. It’s a process to get a plush coat like they have and complete their overall adorableness.

Sokoke Cat

Sokoke Forest Cat “Khadzonzo” / Facebook

Temperament: Lively, Loving, Playful

Weight: 8-11 pounds (male), 5-7 pounds (female)

Longevity: Up to 15 years

Bottom line: At first glance, Sokoke cats look like regular tabby cats with their elongated bodies, rounded-at-the-tip ears and small heads. On closer inspection, you can see how majestic and regal their faces are with their long and straight noses. The truth is these cats are far from ordinary and are considered to be one of the rarest domestic cat breeds in the world. Sokoke cats don’t move like ordinary cats either, as they walk on their tippy-toes.

Somali

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Temperament: Shy, Social, Independent

Weight: 9-12 pounds (male), 7-10 pounds (female)

Longevity: 9-15 years

Bottom line: Somali cats are striking in their fluffy, foxlike appearance. Many Somali cats have reddish fur, though they do come in colors, such as chocolate, tortie, red, silver and a wide variety of color combos. The majority of the fur has four to 20 colors on each strand of hair with the darkest colors at the tip. This unique type of coloration creates a line of color along the spine. Somali cats are proud of their super soft, luxurious fur and their bushy tails.

Sphynx

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Temperament: Silly, Devoted, Extroverted

Weight: 6-12 pounds

Longevity: 9-15 years

Bottom line: Of all the nearly hairless cat breeds, Sphynx cats are the most recognizable. They have their tall pointy ears, wrinkly skin that’s often covered in peach fuzz and a round belly. What’s interesting about their skin is that it’s usually the same color or has the same patterns and markings that their fur would have. Another unusual trait of the Sphynx cat is that their paw pads are thicker than most cats, giving them the appearance of walking on tiny pillows.

Teacup Persian

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Temperament: Gentle, Social, Docile

Weight: 5-6 pounds

Longevity: 5-8 years

Bottom line: Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you — Teacup Persians are small enough to sit in the palm of your hand. These teeny tiny cats come in many colors including golden, chinchilla, smoke, tortoiseshell and silver. Due to their size and breeding, Teacup Persians aren’t robust cats and tend to have health problems. Many people feel breeding such a small cat is unethical and morally corrupt. Teacup Persians are extremely gentle and loving but aren’t suited to homes with children, dogs or anything else that might hurt their delicate bodies.

Ukrainian Levkoy

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Temperament: Friendly, Intelligent, Affectionate

Weight: 8-12 pounds

Longevity: 9-15 years

Bottom line: Ukrainian Levkoy cats are a cross between a Donskoy and a Scottish Fold. You can see characteristics of both in their wideset round eyes, almost hairless body, folded ears and almost dog-like face shape. Ukrainian Levkoy kittens don’t all have their remarkable ears early on but develop them over time. They enjoy hanging out with their humans or other pets. One of their personality traits is their curiosity, and they often like to play detective and investigate everything they come in contact with in their environment.