Is Pollution in China Causing Cats to Grow "Wings?"

No, he’s not Supercat, but apparently a fuzzy feline in the southwest Chinese city of Chongqing began sprouting triangular, fur-covered "wings" out of his back when he was about a year old. Some speculate the strange growths are the result of a mutation caused by chemicals the cat’s mother was exposed to before giving birth. It’s certainly possible, since the heavily industrialized city of Chongqing is packed with chemical, metal, and automobile factories pumping out acid rain and air pollution. In fact, as of 2004 the city was the second most polluted worldwide. And it's taking its toll: Environmental authorities suspect chemical contaminations were behind the deaths of thousands of fish in the Fujiang River in Chongqing a few months ago. Others say the so-called wings are actually growths from an embryo that never completely separated from the cat before birth – in other words, the cat’s, er, Siamese twin. We’re holding out on a verdict, but one thing’s for sure: There’s no need to keep an eye out for flying kitties. A cat’s heavy bones and muscular body mean that even with wings, there’s no way it can ever take to the sky. Related Content: Discoblog: Weird Science Roundup: Fire-Fighting Robots, Tiny Cats, and Crazy Dental Implants Discoblog: Can’t Touch This: Cockatoo Jams to Techno, Supports Animal Research DISCOVER: The Ancient Rat as Big as a Bull

Image: China Foto Press/Barcroft Media