Editing Sphynx cat (section)

{{Short description|Hairless breed of cat}}
{{Redirect|Sphynx|the legendary creature|Sphinx||Sphynx (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox cat breed
| name          = Sphynx
| image         = Sphynx - cat. img 031.jpg
| country       = {{CAN}}
| cfastd        = https://cfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sphynx-presentation.pdf
| acfastd       = https://www.acfacat.com/Breed%20Standards/SPHYNX.pdf
| ticastd       = https://www.tica.org/phocadownload/sx.pdf
| ccastd        = https://www.cca-afc.com/documents/BreedStandards/SPHYNX_20220529_202420.pdf
| acfstd        =
| gccfstd       =
| fifestd       = https://fifeweb.org/app/uploads/2023/10/SPH.pdf
| otherstd      =
| notrecognized =
| note          =
}}

The '''Sphynx cat''' (pronounced {{respell|SFINKS}}, {{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|f|ɪ|ŋ|k|s|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Sphynx.wav}}) also known as the '''Canadian Sphynx''', is a [[List of cat breeds|breed of cat]] known for its lack of [[fur]]. Hairlessness in [[cat]]s is a naturally occurring genetic mutation, and the Sphynx was developed through [[selective breeding]] of these animals, starting in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cfa.org/sphynx/|title=The Sphynx|publisher=The Cat Fanciers' Association|access-date=27 October 2020|quote=In 1966 a domestic cat gave birth to a hairless kitten in Toronto Canada. It was discovered to be a natural genetic mutation and the Sphynx cat, as we know it today, came into existence.}}<br />- {{Cite web|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/69740/11-not-so-fluffy-facts-about-sphynx-cats|title=11 Not-So-Fluffy Facts About Sphynx Cats|author=Kirstin Fawcett|date=15 May 2015|website=Mental Floss|access-date=27 October 2020|quote=But the modern-day Canadian Sphynx—the hairless breed we know in North America—has been defying expectations since the mid-1960s, when an Ontario cat gave birth to a hairless kitten, the result of a natural genetic mutation. Then, in the mid-1970s, two separate sets of hairless kittens were born to owners in Toronto and Minnesota. Thanks to various breeding efforts, their lineages resulted in the affectionate animal we love today.}}</ref> 

The skin has a texture of [[chamois leather]],<ref>{{cite web |title=TICA Sphynx Breed Introduction |url=https://tica.org/Breed_Introductions/Sphynx_Breed_for_Website.pdf |website=The International Cat Association |access-date=4 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204211712/https://tica.org/Breed_Introductions/Sphynx_Breed_for_Website.pdf |archive-date=4 February 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> as it has fine hairs, or the cat may be completely hairless. Whiskers may be present, either whole or broken, or may be totally absent. Per the breed standards, they have a somewhat wedge-shaped head with large eyes and ears, quite long legs and tail, and neat rounded paws. Their skin is the color that their fur would be, and all the usual cat markings (solid, point, van, tabby, tortie, etc.) may be found on the Sphynx cat's skin. Because they have no fur, Sphynx cats lose body heat more readily than coated cats, making them both warm to the touch and prone to seeking out warm places.