Winged cats have been known to exist since the 19th century, but only a handful of people have actually seen–let alone owned–one. This woman in Sichuan province watched as her beloved kitty grew angel wings on his back last summer after a bunch of female cats tried to mate with him. "Many female cats in heat came to harass him, and then the wings started to grow," she said.

Geneticists have a less romantic theory. They believe it could be a genetic defect, a skin condition, or the result of poor grooming.

Link (Thanks, Annalee!)

( Lisa Katayama is a guest blogger.)