Which cat breed is known for ears that curl backward from the face?

The American Curl is the cat breed known for ears that curl backward from the face.

The breed originated in California in 1981, when a stray black female with unusual ears appeared at the home of Joe and Grace Ruga in Lakewood. They named her Shulamith, and her kittens inherited the distinctive ear shape. This inheritance pattern helped establish the breed while breeders worked to preserve a healthy domestic-cat body type.

American Curl kittens are born with straight ears. The ears begin curling within a few days, and the final shape develops over several months. The recognized curl ranges from a gentle arc to a more pronounced curve, but the ear should not curl so tightly that it touches the head.

The breed may have short or long hair and can occur in many colors and patterns. The curled ears distinguish it from the Scottish Fold, whose ears fold forward and downward because of a different mutation.