Pussies will soon fly in Sichuan province

Several tomcats in Sichuan province have started to develop fur-covered wings and while their owners have attributed the strange growth to the hot summer spell and stress from having too many female cats desiring to mate with them (!), scientists think otherwise. The cats have caused a sensation, attracting large crowds of people to behold the unusual sight. More from The Telegraph:

Although the growths appear fluffy, they contain bone. But veterinary experts say that despite the hard inner core, the flaps do not harm the cat's quality of life or safety.

Several animals were photographed with the furry protuberances by a local newspaper photographer.

"At first they were just two bumps, but they started to grow quickly, and after a month there were two wings," said one cat's owner, who was only identified as Feng.

"Many female cats in heat came to harass him, and then the wings started to grow," she told the local Huashang News.

Although Feng attributed her pet's condition to the stress of a feline love life and the hot Sichuan summer. However, scientists said the wings had a less romantic explanation.

In fact, the hairy growths probably developed because of unusual grooming habits, a genetic defect or a hereditary skin condition.