Did you know that the beautiful Scottish Fold felines have their distinctive folded ears due to natural dominant mutation in the Fd gene? Or that Manx cats, a breed originating from the Isle of Man, have a small stub instead of a tail due to a naturally occurring mutation?

Well, some of the genetic anomalies can result in very interesting differences in physical appearance. Just think of Instagram’s supawstars like Midas the cat taking the internet by storm with its four ears, or the deceased Grumpy Cat whose ‘grumpy appearance’ was due to underbite and feline dwarfism.

So this post is about the tricks of nature that resulted in unusual and occasionally even wholesome genetic surprises in the animal kingdom. After you’re done with this post, be sure to check out Bored Panda's previous feature about unique-looking pets!

#1

Meet Narnia, A Rare Two Faced Cat

Meet Narnia, A Rare Two Faced Cat

This blue-eyed kitten’s face was precisely divided into two halves: a gray half and a black half, and everyone was surprised when they first saw him.

amazingnarnia Report

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    #2

    Zeus The German Shepherd Dog With Dwarfism

    Zeus The German Shepherd Dog With Dwarfism

    zeus_the_dwarf_gsd Report

    There’s no definite answer to how common genetic abnormalities are in cats and other pets, the pet health and well-being expert Yulia Popyk from Petcube told Bored Panda, as it can vary greatly depending on the specific genetic abnormality and the population of cats being considered. “However, some estimates suggest that around 3-5% of all cats may be affected by a genetic abnormality. There are a variety of different factors that can contribute to the development of genetic abnormalities, including exposure to environmental toxins, dietary deficiencies, and mutations,” Yulia said.

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    #4

    This Stunning Cat With Striking Two Coloured Eyes Due To A Rare Genetic Condition

    This Stunning Cat With Striking Two Coloured Eyes Due To A Rare Genetic Condition

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    Riley Warrick
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is super cool! I've always been fascinated by eye colors. I can't see people's eye colors. So I like to look at pictures like this.

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    #5

    Rainbow Reticulated Python. Just Another Reminder That There Are So Many Beautiful Things In This World That Are Underappreciated - Including Snakes

    Rainbow Reticulated Python. Just Another Reminder That There Are So Many Beautiful Things In This World That Are Underappreciated - Including Snakes

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    #6

    This Is Fanny. She Has A Rare Skin Condition Called Vitiligo, Causing Her Hair To Depigment

    This Is Fanny. She Has A Rare Skin Condition Called Vitiligo, Causing Her Hair To Depigment

    fannyasfresh , RyansVlogs Report

    Petcube’s pet health expert said that some genetic abnormalities that have been reported in cats include congenital defects of the heart, kidneys, and eyes, among others. “While the exact cause of these abnormalities is not always clear, they are believed to be the result of inbreeding or other genetic factors.”

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    If you believe that your cat might be born with an abnormality that will critically influence their life, well-being, and health, it would be a good idea to consider subscribing to the emergency vet fund. “The service is basically an untraditional pet insurance product, which provides a direct payment to your vet clinic in a pet’s life-threatening emergency. Moreover, Emergency Fund covers any immediate medical issues which might occur to your cat due to genetic abnormalities,” Yulia said.

    #7

    Holy Toebeans Big Foot

    Holy Toebeans Big Foot

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    Pjerrot
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would Love every single litlle Beanietoe😍😍😍😍

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    #9

    I Foster With My Local Shelter And Received A Litter With One Kitten Who Has Dwarfism. She's Half The Size Of Her Littermates. Highly Criminal. Just Dastardly

    I Foster With My Local Shelter And Received A Litter With One Kitten Who Has Dwarfism. She's Half The Size Of Her Littermates. Highly Criminal. Just Dastardly

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    There are many mutations that are specific to particular breeds. “For example, the gene for short coat length is found only in certain breeds of dogs, such as poodles and Bichon Frises. Other examples include the genes for blue or green eyes, which are found in certain breeds of dogs, such as Siberian huskies, Alaskan malamutes, and Australian cattle dogs. The cocker spaniel breed is prone to a genetic mutation that causes a form of deafness.”

    Yulia also said that “the blue coat color in Russian blue cats is caused by a mutation in the gene that encodes the protein melanophilin. This mutation is found only in Russian blue cats and is not found in any other breeds.”

    #10

    Feel Free To Boop Or High Five The Snoot

    Feel Free To Boop Or High Five The Snoot

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    #11

    This Cat Must Have A Secret Identity

    This Cat Must Have A Secret Identity

    chrisbarnett64 Report

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    #12

    My Cat Has A Genetic Mutation That Makes Her Eyes Weird, Her Sight Is Perfect

    My Cat Has A Genetic Mutation That Makes Her Eyes Weird, Her Sight Is Perfect

    ViVilma Report

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    Moreover, “The mutation that causes the Siamese cat’s characteristic blue eyes is only found in that breed. The mutation that causes the hairless trait in Chinese crested dogs is relatively common in that breed but is very rare in other breeds. Other examples include the Manx cat’s taillessness, the Scottish fold’s folded ears, and the sphynx’s hairlessness,” Yulia told us and added that mutation largely depends on the specific genetics of each individual breed.

    #13

    My Girl Has Vitiligo. She Was Solid Black When We Got Her, And Every Year She Gets A Few More Spots

    My Girl Has Vitiligo. She Was Solid Black When We Got Her, And Every Year She Gets A Few More Spots

    Polywordsoup Report

    #14

    Frankie, One-Eyed Kitty With Four Ears Finds A Foster Home

    Frankie, One-Eyed Kitty With Four Ears Finds A Foster Home

    frank_n_kitten , frank_n_kitten Report

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    #15

    Dexter And His Abnormally Long Tail

    Dexter And His Abnormally Long Tail

    jubileesoph Report

    Meanwhile, some mutations are more common in certain breeds than others. “For example, the dachshund breed is known for its short legs, which is caused by a mutation in the genes that control limb development. The dachshund-specific mutation called intervertebral disc disease is a condition that affects the discs between the vertebrae. This can cause pain, paralysis, and even death in affected dogs. Other breeds have mutations that cause them to have unique coat colors or patterns, such as the brindle coat of the Staffordshire bull terrier,” Yulia explained.

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    #16

    People Always Tell Me My Cat Has The Most Beautiful Eyes

    People Always Tell Me My Cat Has The Most Beautiful Eyes

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    #17

    Found This Bunny With Unique Markings- Wanted You To Know That You’re Unique. You’re Loved. Just Like This Bun

    Found This Bunny With Unique Markings- Wanted You To Know That You’re Unique. You’re Loved. Just Like This Bun

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    #18

    Meet Pixel, My Beautiful Kitten With Heterochromia

    Meet Pixel, My Beautiful Kitten With Heterochromia

    MayaKitsu Report

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    GoodWolf
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the most beautiful cat I've ever seen. I'm in love.

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    #19

    Rowdy Met A New Friend Today. This Is Marcus And He Has Such A Great Attitude About His Vitiligo. He Thinks It's Pretty Cool

    Rowdy Met A New Friend Today. This Is Marcus And He Has Such A Great Attitude About His Vitiligo. He Thinks It's Pretty Cool

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    #21

    I Saw An Adult German Shepherd That's Diagnosed With Dwarfism Today And It's The Cutest Thing I Saw All Year

    I Saw An Adult German Shepherd That's Diagnosed With Dwarfism Today And It's The Cutest Thing I Saw All Year

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    #22

    I Was Told My New Rescue Pup Has The Rarest Of Ears

    I Was Told My New Rescue Pup Has The Rarest Of Ears

    flytingnotfighting Report

    #23

    Elli Was Born With Tuxedo Markings And Turned Almost Completely White In Three Years Due To Vitiligo

    Elli Was Born With Tuxedo Markings And Turned Almost Completely White In Three Years Due To Vitiligo

    RespectMyAuthoriteh Report

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    #24

    New Housemate Has More Thumbs Than I Was Expecting

    New Housemate Has More Thumbs Than I Was Expecting

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    #25

    A Golden Retriever With A Rare Black Patch On Its Face

    A Golden Retriever With A Rare Black Patch On Its Face

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    #27

    House Cat Suffering From Myostatin-Related Muscle Hypertrophy - A Rare Condition That Causes Muscles To Grow Excessively Large

    House Cat Suffering From Myostatin-Related Muscle Hypertrophy - A Rare Condition That Causes Muscles To Grow Excessively Large

    bsmith2123 Report

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    #28

    Frankie Was The Only One In A Litter Of Sixteen That Was Born With A Limb Difference

    Frankie Was The Only One In A Litter Of Sixteen That Was Born With A Limb Difference

    nessie_mcnubs Report

    #29

    Supernumerary Teeth

    Supernumerary Teeth

    catszdiary Report

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    #30

    Meet Avgust, The Extraterrestrial Albino Dog From Moscow, Russia

    Meet Avgust, The Extraterrestrial Albino Dog From Moscow, Russia

    keerio_ Report

    #31

    Did Anyone Say Dalmatian Pied? Hands-Down One Of The Most Unique Pieds I’ve Ever Seen

    Did Anyone Say Dalmatian Pied? Hands-Down One Of The Most Unique Pieds I’ve Ever Seen

    thepythonpit Report

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    #34

    My Cat Pickles. He Was Born Without An Ear

    My Cat Pickles. He Was Born Without An Ear

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    #37

    Bernese Mountain Dog With Vitiligo

    Bernese Mountain Dog With Vitiligo

    siegfriedthedog Report

    #38

    Astrex Bunnies. A Rare Rex Fur Mutation, Have Curly Coats. Little Sheep Bunnies

    Astrex Bunnies. A Rare Rex Fur Mutation, Have Curly Coats. Little Sheep Bunnies

    The_Last_Minority Report

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    #40

    This Cat That Lives At The Parking Lot At My Job Has Extra Toes

    This Cat That Lives At The Parking Lot At My Job Has Extra Toes

    neon_noire Report

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    #41

    Local Pet Rescue/Shelter Had Someone Drop Off A Male Kitten That Was Born With 2 Faces

    Local Pet Rescue/Shelter Had Someone Drop Off A Male Kitten That Was Born With 2 Faces

    kcpetproject Report

    #42

    This Rottweiler With Vitiligo Is Gorgeous

    This Rottweiler With Vitiligo Is Gorgeous

    fireysaje Report

    #43

    This Is A Ghoulish Creature. I Recently Learned That She Is A Lykoi Cat. It's A Rare Natural Mutation. She's Extremely Vocal And Affectionate

    This Is A Ghoulish Creature. I Recently Learned That She Is A Lykoi Cat. It's A Rare Natural Mutation. She's Extremely Vocal And Affectionate

    EtherealEffigy Report

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    #44

    Please Do Not Support Unethical Doberman Breeders Who Purposely Create Dogs Affected With Albinism. Too Many Health Issues Plague These Sensitive Canines As They Age

    Please Do Not Support Unethical Doberman Breeders Who Purposely Create Dogs Affected With Albinism. Too Many Health Issues Plague These Sensitive Canines As They Age

    amyeiler Report

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    #45

    A Cat With Two Functional Noses That Came To The Clinic I Work At

    A Cat With Two Functional Noses That Came To The Clinic I Work At

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    #46

    This Is Jinx - He Was Born With One Ear

    This Is Jinx - He Was Born With One Ear

    NinjaFiasco Report

    #47

    Ranger Is A Fully Grown German Shepherd With Dwarfism

    Ranger Is A Fully Grown German Shepherd With Dwarfism

    ranger_thegshepherd Report

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    Pjerrot
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’ll have U too!!! Come here,Fluffy!! I’m completly in LUUUUUUUVVVVV♥️♥️♥️

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    #48

    This Is Dino. He Has Dwarfism. He’s A Very Small Boy

    This Is Dino. He Has Dwarfism. He’s A Very Small Boy

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    #50

    These Boys Have A Rare Genetic Condition And Just Got To The Us From PR And Clearly They’re Happy To Be Here

    These Boys Have A Rare Genetic Condition And Just Got To The Us From PR And Clearly They’re Happy To Be Here

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    Note: this post originally had 124 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.