
Any cat owner will tell you that one of the ways felines communicate is with their tail. When it stands straight up, it is usually on high alert. When it swishes slowly from side to side, it is generally signaling annoyance.
But what if your cat’s tail curls over its back? It’s not a new sign language among cats but a genetic mutation and the hallmark of a relatively new cat breed dubbed the American Ringtail, aka the Ringtail Sing-a-Ling.
The breed first came to be known in 1998 with a feral cat named Solomon. His owner began a breeding program to replicate the anomaly. The cats come in all types of coats and colors and have been recognized as “Registration Only” by the International Cat Association. However, they are still rare and can cost upward of $500 to $1,000 if you can find one.
An article in Scientific American suggests that the curved tail could be considered a form of speech impediment. While these cats can swish their tails, they cannot make them stand straight up, so the typical “tail-up equals contentment” doesn’t apply.
Researchers assure us that these cats have other ways to communicate their well-being — through their ears, their scent and even their voice.