The Bobtail is a rare cat breed in Japan, characterized by its short, rabbit-like tail.
In the world, there exists a cat breed that is born with an unusual short tail. Although at first glance they may seem unbalanced, in reality, this breed is beloved and sought after by thousands of pet lovers worldwide.
Japanese Bobtail cat.
Instead of having a long and flexible tail like most other cat breeds, the Japanese Bobtail is famous for its tiny short tail.
No one knows exactly when this breed appeared in Japan, but it has been a part of Japanese culture for at least a few hundred years, frequently depicted in traditional art and folklore.
In the early 1600s, the rabbit-tailed cat played an important role in preserving Japan’s silk production. Locals used short-tailed cats to prevent rodent infestations.
Bobtail cats can have black or blue eyes, sometimes with two different colored eyes.
By the next century, Bobtails had become a popular breed in Japan. The exact reasons are unknown, but it may be due to their distinctive broken-looking tail, friendly personalities, and adorable blue eyes…
Today, the Bobtail breed has become extremely popular in the land of the rising sun. However, it remains quite rare outside the borders of Japan.
The short and kinked tail of the Bobtail is the result of a natural mutation. This mutation causes a reduction in the number of tail vertebrae, as well as the fusion of some vertebrae, yet it still forms a complete tail, similar to long-tailed cats. The tail of a Bobtail cat does not exceed 7 cm in length.
The soft tail of the Bobtail cat, which can sometimes be stiff and can move in any direction.
Due to the kinked nature of the tail, the fur appears to spread out, resembling a fluffy rabbit tail. The tail can be soft, sometimes stiff, and can move in any direction.
It can curl in or stretch out depending on the individual cat. The tail fur of these Japanese cats can vary in length depending on the genetics of their parents.
Short-tailed cats are considered embodiments of luck, happiness, and prosperity among the locals. The famous Maneki Neko, or beckoning cat statue, also mimics the appearance of a short-tailed cat.
