One animal started to develop the "wings" during a period of hot weather in Sichuan, a large province in southern China where a devastating earthquake struck this spring.

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.

Thanks to Sarah Hughes

Mouth to meow-th: Mass. firefighter revives cat

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - A lucky cat owes one of its nine lives to a firefighter who revived it with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Al Machado rescued the cat from a burning apartment Tuesday, telling The Standard Times of New Bedford that he saw immediately that it needed air.

Machado began performing mouth to mouth on the animal as he carried it outside.

Video shot at the scene shows Machado bent over, breathing into the cat's mouth several times. The cat, a tiger angora, was revived and resting comfortably soon after.

No humans were injured in the fire. A man and woman whose last known address was the building that burned were arrested and charged with arson, authorities said.

Two other cats died in the second-floor apartment, but two dogs there were saved with the help of oxygen from paramedics and animal rescue personnel. Pets on the other two floors — including a ferret and even some frogs on the first floor — were all saved.

Asked what it tasted like to give mouth-to-mouth to a cat, Machado laughed, grimaced and said: "Like fur."

MSNBC

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