The American Curl is a breed of cat characterized by its unusual ears which curl back from the face toward the center of the back of the skull. An American Curl's ears should be handled carefully because rough handling may damage the cartilage in the ear. The breed originated in Lakewood California as the result of a spontaneous mutation. In June 1981 two stray kittens were found and taken in by the Ruga family. The kittens were both longhaired one black and the other black and white.