Wildlife of Britain

The Cornish Rex Cat: Cornwall’s Curly-Coated Original Elegant, athletic, and instantly recognisable, the Cornish Rex is one of the most unusual and fascinating cat breeds in the world — and it all began in a humble Cornish barn. With its rippled coat, oversized ears, and greyhound-like build, the Cornish Rex looks almost other-worldly, yet it’s famously affectionate and people-loving. This is the story — and science — behind one of Britain’s most distinctive cats. A Breed Born in Cornwall The Cornish Rex traces its origins to 1950, in Bodmin Moor, Cornwall. A farm cat gave birth to a cream-coloured kitten with an extraordinary, curly coat. Named Kallibunker, this kitten was unlike anything seen before in domestic cats. Genetic testing later revealed a natural mutation affecting the hair structure. Instead of the usual three layers of fur, Kallibunker had only the soft undercoat, which grew in tight waves. Breeders recognised the uniqueness of this mutation and began carefully developin...