Photogenic Felines Trivia Quiz

The Sphynx cat is one darn recognizable feline of all the cats in the world. This is mainly due to its lack of a traditional fur coat. While often described as "hairless", most Sphynx cats are actually covered in a fine, downy layer of peach-like fuzz that gives their skin a soft, chamois-like texture. This genetic mutation first gained prominence in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, during the 1960s, leading to the deliberate breeding of these weird-looking animals. Since they lack a heavy coat to absorb body oils, they require regular sponge baths to maintain healthy skin, making them a high-maintenance choice for dedicated owners.

Sphynx cats are notorious for their extroverted and doglike personalities. They are very social, often following their humans from room to room and seeking out warm laps or even air vents or the tops of computer monitors for heat. Their large, bat-like ears and wide, lemon-shaped eyes give them an inquisitive, almost alien expression. They are high-vigour pets who love to climb and play, requiring a lot attention through their playful energy. Truly, owning one of these unique creatures is the cat's pajamas for anyone who enjoys a constant, affectionate companion that looks like something right out of a mummy movie.

The Persian cat is perhaps the most glamorous of all the felines, easily identified by an explosion of long, flowing fur and a distinctly flattened face. This face and their seemingly-dour expression makes them distinctive, but it's also the sheer volume of their coat that truly defines them. Their fur is so dense that it's prone to matting. These cats require your daily commitment to grooming, making them a high-maintenance choice for anyone who doesn't have a brush permanently in hand, Rapunzel-style.

Despite their grumpy yet regal looks, Persians are the ultimate furniture with fur. They are notoriously placid, docile, and prefer a quiet environment where they can lounge on a royal purple-coloured velvet cushion rather than climb the curtains. They tend to communicate to their owners with their large, expressive eyes and soft, melodic voices. Their heavy build and short, thick legs mean they are much happier staying grounded than seeking out high shelves. Owning one of these gentle souls is great for anyone who wants a calm, dignified companion that essentially doubles as a living, breathing throw pillow.

The Siamese is likely the most famous of all the colourpoint breeds. What really gives them away is the contrast between their pale, creamy bodies and the dark "points" on their ears, face, paws, and tail. This distinctive look is actually a form of partial albinism, where the darker pigment only develops on the cooler parts of their body. Paired with those striking, almond-shaped blue eyes, they carry an air of ancient eastern royalty that is hard to ignore.

These cats are anything but quiet. They are legendary for being incredibly chatty, possessing a loud, raspy, wheezy voice that they use to demand attention or comment on your choice of dinner. Unlike the more sedentary breeds, Siamese are highly intelligent and social. They often follow their favourite humans around like shadows, so you better get in their favour. They have a sleek, athletic build and high-vigour nature, meaning they're much more likely to be found on top of your fridge, spying on what you're doing, than lounging on a rug.

The Scottish Fold is unique in the feline world, instantly recognizable for its tiny ears that tip forward and down, hugging the skull. This "folded" look is the result of a natural genetic mutation affecting the cartilage of the ears, often giving the cat a wide-eyed, owl-like expression, or perhaps the appearance of wearing a very snug cap. While the ears are the main event, they also have notoriously round faces and sturdy, cuddly bodies that make them look like living teddy bears.

As far as their behaviour, these cats are famous for some pretty human-like quirks. You will often find them sitting in the "Buddha position", flat on their fluffy rears with their back legs stretched out. Perhaps you might see them standing up on their hind legs to get a better look at something interesting. They are moderately active but prefer a relaxed lifestyle, enjoying the paws-itive company of their humans without being overly demanding. Their gentle and sweet-natured temperament makes them a favourite for families, especially ones with kids, even if it seems they're not listening... like your kids.

How low can cats go? Well, the answer is the Munchkin. The defining feature here is their unusually short legs, caused by a natural genetic mutation that affects the long bones of the limbs while leaving the rest of the body a perfectly standard size. Because of their unique stature, they are often compared to (gasp) Corgis or Dachshunds. Despite what you might think, those short legs don't seem to slow them down much; they run with a distinct gait that resembles a ferret, perhaps. While they can't quite make the leap to the very top of the bookshelf in one go, they can take a corner like a tiny sports car.

Personality-wise, Munchkins are famously extroverted and perpetually kitten-like. They have a curious habit of sitting up on their hind legs like a rabbit or a meerkat to get a better vantage point of the room. They are high-vigour pets that love to chase toys and wrestle, often making up for their lack of vertical reach with sheer speed and determination. They are the party animal of cats when it comes to being social, and they tend to get along with just about anyone, human or otherwise.

The Bengal cat is the closest you can get to owning a miniature jungle cat without actually moving into the rainforest or doing something illegal. What makes them instantly recognizable is their stunning rosetted coat, which mimics the markings of a leopard or a jaguar. These cats were originally created by crossing a domestic cat with an Asian Leopard Cat, resulting in a sleek, muscular animal with a high-contrast pattern that often features a glitter effect where their fur appears to shimmer in the light.

When it comes to their temperament, Bengals are not your average lap cat. They are incredibly intelligent and athletic, often possessing a strange fascination with water; don't be surprised if they try to join you in the shower or try to fish in their water bowl. Because of their wild ancestry, they require a ton of mental stimulation and physical play to keep them out of trouble. They are vocal, curious, and possess a predatory grace that is mesmerizing to watch. Rowr!

Here you have an Abyssinian - the "supermodel" of the feline world. These cats possess a lithe, elegant physique that makes them look like they walked straight out of an ancient Egyptian mural. The most distinctive feature of this breed is its coat, where each individual hair is banded with multiple colours. This creates a warm, shimmering effect similar to that of a wild cougar on a dewy morning. They lack the stripes or spots or any other markings found on other breeds; instead, they sport a solid, ruddy appearance that is incredibly soft to the touch.

These Abyssinians are high-vigour animals that are constantly on the move, preferring to supervise your activities from the top of a bookshelf or the crook of your shoulder. They are intensely curious and highly intelligent, often learning how to open cabinets or retrieve tossed toys with ease. While they are affectionate, they show their love by involving themselves in whatever you are doing rather than sitting still or lounging on your couch. Or on your head.

If you were to translate nobility to cat form, you'd get a Russian Blue. They are known for a stunning, shimmering coat and a reserved, dignified air. They have an interesting double coat where both are more or less the same length. The topcoat, a protection from the elements, is just a hair longer than the undercoat, the insulation. It looks as though you could trace patterns in them with your finger, and when they move, the two coats breaking give the cat a distinct look. Their colour is a distinct lavender-blue that is tipped with silver, giving the cat a metallic sheen. This is usually paired with striking, vivid green eyes and a slightly upturned mouth that gives them a permanent grin.

Despite their looks, the Russian Blues are one of the more playful of the cat breeds. However, they are more on the shy side, and prefer a quiet, predictable home environment. They are highly intelligent and observant, often training their owners to play fetch or open doors on command. They aren't the type to demand attention with loud cries; instead, they tend to point the way to what they want with their mere presence. So, get on their good side and you'll have a blast with one of these.

The Manx is perhaps the most structurally unique feline known, instantly recognizable because it is famously tailless. This distinctive trait is the result of a natural genetic mutation that originated on the Isle of Man. It gives the cat a very rounded appearance. A Manx can be identified because it has a sturdy frame, its back legs are significantly longer than its front legs, and the lack of, or stumpy, tail. This unique anatomy creates a continuous arch from the shoulders to the rump, giving the breed a characteristic hopping gait that is often compared to that of a rabbit.

As a pet, Manx cats have been often compared to dogs. They are very loyal and very protective. They will attach themselves to one person or one family and they will literally growl at any outside intrusion. They are good hunters and will often be perched in a high place to survey the surroundings. They are very agile, despite not having a tail to help them balance, and quite active. Just don't mention the lack of tail to them... they can be quite sensitive about it.

The Khao Manee is a rare and striking feline that originated in Thailand. There, it was once considered a sacred breed belonging only to royalty. Sometimes known as the "Diamond Eye" cat, its most breathtaking feature is its pure, snowy-white coat and its brilliant, jewel-toned eyes. While many members of the breed have two blue eyes or two gold eyes, the most highly prized individuals are those with dichromatism, one shimmering blue and one vivid amber or green. Their fur is short, smooth, and doesn't fluff up much.

Even though they're royals, these cats are quite social. They are not the type of pets to hide under the bed when guests arrive; instead, they are usually the first at the door to greet visitors with an inquisitive 'meow'. They crave the interaction, the play, and the belly rubs, however, they are known to get quite naughty if they don't get their way. So, watch out... these regal felines will either get their claws into your heart, or into you.