* Sphynx are known for their lack of fur. often called nakeds & hairless cats.

Their hairlessness is a naturally occurring genetic mutation that was discovered in the 1960's in europe and in the 1970's North America created the foundation of what the sphynx breed is.There are newer sphynx breeds that include the don Sphynx and the peterbald.sphynx hairlessness was produced by a different allele of the same gene that produces the short curly hair of a devon rex with the sphynx's allele being incompletely dominant over the devon rex allele and both being recessive to the wild type. The sphynx allele is "hr" for hairless. the curly coat of a selkirk rex cat is also associated with this gene. The Gene KRT71 is responsible for the keratinizatoin of the hair follicle. The sphynx/s mutation leads to a complete loss of function where the structure of the hair is damaged so that the hair can be formed easily but is dislodged.
All sphynx feel differently, some like leather, peach, silk, velour, newborn baby, etc. Sphynx are not completely hairless. They can develop hair during environmental change, change in hormones, climate change. Most sphynx do not have whiskers or eye lashes, if they do have some present they typically fall out and regrow or remain very short. They typically have a long narrow face or a short face and webbed feet. Some have many wrinkles while others only wrinkle when petted. sphynx have thicker paw pads that look like little cushions and sometimes little lion tails with fur. most sphynx are very muscular and have little pot bellies. Sphynx are known for being an extrovert! they have lots of energy, very curious, highly intelligent, very affectionate, and attention seekers! the best way to describe them is they look like cats, are loyal like dogs, and act like monkeys. they are very quick learners!