What distinctive ear feature is the Scottish Fold cat named for?

The Scottish Fold cat is named for its distinctive folded ears.

The fold results from a naturally occurring genetic mutation affecting cartilage. Kittens are born with straight ears, but in many Scottish Folds the ears begin folding forward at about three to four weeks of age. The fold can range from a single fold to a tighter triple fold that holds the ears close to the head.

The modern breed traces to Susie, a white barn cat discovered at a farm near Coupar Angus in Scotland in 1961. Her folded-ear descendants became the foundation of the breed. Breeders commonly use outcrosses such as British Shorthairs and American Shorthairs because breeding two folded-ear cats together can increase serious skeletal problems.

The same mutation is associated with osteochondrodysplasia, a cartilage and bone disorder. For that reason, the breed’s welfare and breeding practices have been debated, and some cat organizations do not recognize it. The defining ears are therefore both the breed’s hallmark and an important genetic concern.