8 Fantastical Felines That Look Like They Belong in a Storybook

Quick Take

• One of these cats didn't just inspire mythology. It literally had a hand (or paw) in it. Meet Freyja's chariot cat →
• Scientists still can't agree on why one of these cats grows its most dramatic feature. Explore the ear tufts mystery →
• The cat on this list that looks the most like a stuffed animal is hiding a surprisingly fierce secret. See the curly surprise →
• One wild cat here has pupils that break the most basic rule of cat anatomy, a feature that changes its entire vibe. Discover the round pupils →

Cats have an air of mystery about them. Their slinking movements, glowing eyes, and unpredictable personalities have led to many legends and plenty of folklore for thousands of years. Some felines, however, take their fascinating nature to another level with their odd looks. Their appearances are so unusual that they seem like creatures from a fantasy novel. These cats look as though they stepped right out of a make-believe world, displaying features like oversized ears and curly coats. Here are eight cats that look like they belong in a storybook. 

Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is one of the largest domestic breeds of cat. This hefty feline resembles a wizard’s familiar, famous for its large size, stylish tufted ears, and long, shaggy fur. Their faces are so large, they’re almost human-like. Some males can weigh more than 20 pounds and have tails that look like fancy feather boas. It is their lynx-like ears that give them an almost mythical appearance. Despite their imposing size, Maine Coons are gentle and affectionate companions, whether to a wizard or an ordinary muggle.

Norwegian Forest Cat

The Norwegian Forest Cat even has a fanciful name. This kitty looks perfectly suited for life in a snowy woodland kingdom populated by trolls and dragons. According to Scandinavian folklore, these cats were said to have the honor of pulling the chariot of the Norse goddess Freyja. They have water-resistant double coats, bushy tails, and triangular faces surrounded by puffy fur. Their powerful bodies allow them to climb and launch themselves with ease. This domestic cat looks more like a creature from an ancient legend than a typical house pet.

Pallas’s Cat

Native to Central Asia, Pallas cats are just as small as domestic breeds though they’re completely wild. They have extremely dense fur that makes them appear much larger than they really are. Their flattened faces and rounded ears give them a storybook quality. Their eyes also differ from those of most small cats because their pupils stay consistently round rather than narrowing into slits, making them super expressive. Combined with their consistently annoyed look, they seem like the grumpy villain in a magical realm.

Caracal

The caracal could easily be cast as a mystical guardian of a desert temple. This medium-sized wild cat is best known for the long, black, fanciful tufts extending from the tips of its ears. Scientists believe these ear-tufts may help with forms of communication or possibly break up the outline of the ears. The sleek body and striking facial markings only add to this feline’s intriguing appearance. Its superpower is the ability to leap high into the air to catch birds.

Serval

With its long legs and massive ears, the serval plays the part of an elegant and mysterious creature from a far-off land. This stunning wild cat inhabits African savannahs. Its spotted coat gives it a cheetah-like appearance despite being a much smaller animal. This cat is extremely leggy; in fact, it has one of the longest legs relative to body size of any feline. This, combined with its graceful movements, makes the serval the supermodel of the feline world. And they put these legs to good use; servals can jump more than six feet into the air when hunting prey. Watching one move through tall grass feels mysterious and a bit ominous.

Selkirk Rex

The Selkirk Rex is the cutest inhabitant of a fantasy world stuck in the 80s, thanks to its permanent perm. This domestic breed is known for its naturally curly coat, even including curly whiskers! The fluffy, wavy fur makes it resemble a living stuffed animal, and their round faces finish off the whimsical look. It’s easy to imagine one serving as the sentry of a long-lost castle.

Sand Cat

This small wild cat lives in some of the hottest and driest deserts in North Africa and Asia. Its large ears and light sandy fur give it an otherworldly, almost ghostly appearance. Thick fur on its paw pads helps protect it from scorching sand. Despite its adorable look, the sand cat is an efficient nocturnal hunter that emerges after dark to stalk rodents, birds, and reptiles.

Turkish Angora

The Turkish Angora is best imagined as the ethereal companion to the regal queen. The ancient breed has been around for centuries, adding to its allure. It is known for its silky, flowing coat and striking eyes, which can sometimes be two different colors. White Turkish Angoras in particular seem to glow as they move through a room. Their beauty has been admiration since the days of the Ottoman Empire. These felines look perfectly at home in a fairy tale.