Buyer question
How long does an American Curl live?
Our Animal Library gives the American Curl a lifespan of 12–16 years.
Source: the American Curl page in the Everybarn Animal Library. American Curl in the Animal Library
The detail
A medium-sized cat whose ears curl back from a dominant gene first found in a California stray in 1981. Unlike the fold gene, the curl mutation is not linked to cartilage disease elsewhere in the body.
- Origin
- California, United States, 1981
- Best fit
- Families, first-time owners
- Temperament
- Playful, people-loving
What to weigh
The curled ear cartilage is firm and can be damaged by rough handling. Narrower ear canals can trap wax, so gentle cleaning is routine.