Cat Breeds #3 (C)

 The Ceylon Cat

The Ceylon originates, as its name suggests, from the island of Ceylon, which has since become part of Sri Lanka. They arrived in Europe for the first time in 1984 in Milan (Italy). They are an extremely rare breed and only a few individual Ceylon cats can currently be found in Italy and France. The breed recognised by the International Feline Federation until 1993. They are active cats, that love coconut pulp, just affirming their tropical origins!

In 1984, the Director of the Colombo Zoo authorised Veterinary Doctor Paolo Pellegatta to return to Milan (Italy) with 6 Ceylon cats. He started a breeding programme with them. However, the breed remains quite unknown and it is extremely rare to meet a Ceylon.

Ceylons are medium sized, semi-cobby cats, who interestingly have slightly shorter front legs than its hind legs. One of the main characteristics of this breed is the pronounced angle formed by their real legs. Ceylons have a thin but muscular frame. They have reasonably round heads that are small compared to their bodies, and short noses. They have big eyes, and medium to large ears with rounded tips.