Surprising Scottish Fold Facts | A Day with a Mother and Kitten

Today, we follow a Scottish Fold mother and kitten, cats known for their folded ears. At home and in the garden, let us watch a day in the pair's leisurely life.

Morning light streamed into the living room. On the sofa, the mother cat stretched big, and the kitten woke up. The mother is blue-grey, the kitten cream. Sitting side by side, two round shadows float in the morning light. The kitten leaned against its mother's body and closed its eyes once more.

In the morning, it is still a little sleepy.

This cat's ears are small and folded forward. They sit snug on the head, as if it were wearing a cap. But newborn kittens all have standing ears. The folding begins only about three weeks after birth.

This cat's story begins in Scotland in 1961. On a farm, a white cat with folded ears was found. It is said that all the Scottish Folds in the world today are descendants of that one white cat. And even among siblings, about half grow up with their ears still standing.

Kittens with folded ears and kittens with standing ears are born together.

Sitting side by side, the faces of mother and kitten are both round. The face, the eyes, and the body are all round — that is this cat's hallmark. With folded ears and big round eyes, its face is said to look a little like an owl's.

It is breakfast time. The kitten sat neatly in front of its dish. Some of these cats use their front paws to eat and drink. Moving their front paws skillfully, they carry food to their mouths.

After breakfast, the kitten became interested in the kitchen faucet. These cats like to drink running water. They are often seen bringing their faces close to a thin stream of water to drink.

Out in the garden, a bird sang in the distance. The kitten straightened its back sharply. When there is a sound, these cats stand up on their hind legs and look around. They check to see if something happened.

Back on the sofa, the kitten sat with its legs stretched forward, like a person. Among cat lovers, this way of sitting is called the Buddha pose. Beside it, the mother curled up and watched over it. The morning room was quiet and calm.

At play time, someone throws a small ball for it. These cats can even learn the game of fetching a ball. The kitten came back proudly, carrying the ball in its mouth. Again and again, it repeats the same game.

The mother gently opened the kitchen cupboard door with her front paw. Some of these cats learn how to open doors. They are clever cats, full of curiosity. The kitten watched intently from below, gazing up.

The afternoon is spent in the garden. Beside the flower bed, the kitten followed a butterfly's movements with its eyes. These cats do not all have short fur. Some have soft, long, fluffy fur.

After playing, the mother carefully licked the kitten's head. The kitten, being licked, narrowed its eyes in pleasure. A calm time for mother and child. Grooming is precious bonding time for the pair.

At nap time, the kitten fell asleep on its back, showing its belly. Some of these cats sleep just like this. Beside it, the mother curled up and quietly closed her eyes. The shade of the garden trees was cool and quiet.

In the evening, when the family sits on the sofa, the pair comes over, too. These cats love being near people and follow them from room to room. They get along well with children and other pets, too. The pair relaxed leisurely at the family's feet.

At night, the house grows quiet. These cats have small voices and do not meow much. Outside the window, the moon had risen. Curled up by the window, the pair ends their day. In the quiet night, only the pair's peaceful breathing can be faintly heard.

Folded ears, a round face, and a gentle love of being near people. The pair's calm day quietly comes to an end.

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