Often, animals have straight hair or fur. However, there are also creatures with curly hair. The curls can be big and
bold or small and frizzy. Then again, sometimes, the curls are more of waves. Some curly animals are more
popular than others, but that’s a matter of opinion. Are you ready to learn about these magnificent critters
and their hair? Stick around and read on to learn more.
1) Bichon Frise
Canis lupus familiaris is the scientific name for the Bichon Frise, a dog breed. These pooches have thick
curly/wavy hair that protects it from frigid temperatures. Many people prefer this dog breed over others because of
its gentle nature. The Bichon Frise is even used as an emotional support animal because it has a calming
personality.
2) Bison
An estimated 60 million bison or buffalo across North America in the early 1800s. But by the late 1800s,
that figure had significantly dropped to only a few hundred. Now, research says there are a few thousand bison in
the world. These curly-haired animals are ox-like and closely related to cattle. Bulls can weigh up to 2,000 pounds,
while cows weigh much less at around 1,000 pounds. In addition, the creatures have a lifespan of approximately 20
years out in the wild.
3) Curly Horses
Have you never heard of curly horses? Don’t fret if not. That is probably because they are a rare breed known for
their curly hair. Equus ferus caballus is the scientific name for these animals. Nobody can say for sure, but it is
believed that the horses were initially found in the Andalusian of Spain. People appreciate these beings because of
their unique appearance, but they also like their gentle nature.
4) Alpacas
Lamas pacos is the scientific name for the alpaca. Humans domesticated these animals around 6,000 years ago because
almost all species have long, wavy/curly hair. This hair was turned into clothing to protect people from the wind
and freezing temperatures. Of course, things haven’t changed all that much today, though. Alpaca hair is still a
sought-after commodity in the modern world.
5) Mountain Gorilla
The mountain gorilla or Gorilla beringei has an iconic appearance and one that isn’t easy to forget. These
recognizable animals do not tend to have curly hair in adulthood. However, as young primates, the hair is long,
curly, and black. The strands allow them to live and survive in cold climates. They are also able to reside in moist
areas like the rainforest. And on a final note, mountain gorillas are some of the largest animals in the world. So,
you will want to steer clear of them to avoid altercations.
6) Bactrian Camels
Bactrian camels make this list because of their curly hair as well. They are incredibly interesting animals
native to Steppe, a geographical region in Central Asia. The fur of these creatures helps them withstand
harsh sub-zero temperatures. As you probably notice from the picture below, Bactrian camels have two humps. They
store fat and allow the animals to survive lengthy periods without water or food. These camels are friendly, gentle,
and endangered. There are only about 1,000 of these creatures left on Earth.
7) Angora Goats
Upon first seeing Angora goats, many people believe they are sheep because the two are quite similar. But
one big difference is that the goats have longer, curlier fleeces. These animals first came to be around 3,500
years ago. That’s when people selectively bred them in Turkey for their mohair, also commonly called curly wool.
This luxury fiber is far more expensive than sheep’s wool, as the goats only produce 11 to 17 pounds annually.
8) Labradoodles
As you may have figured out from the name, a Labradoodle is a crossbreed between a Poodle and a Labrador Retriever.
These dogs are loving, friendly, and make wonderful companions for an individual or family. The canines are
extremely smart and can be trained to do all sorts of things.
For instance, some people teach them to retrieve, while others focus their attention on obedience. Before running out
and buying a Labradoodle, you should know that the animals are susceptible to certain health conditions. Hence, you
could wind up having to spend a lot of money at a vet at some point by picking this breed.
9) Sheep
Sheep will make a list of animals with curly hair. Ovaris aries is the scientific name for the
creatures. They are primarily bred for shaggy wool, which can be sheered and turned into things. People use the
material to make clothing, rugs, etc. In the wild, sheep must rub against rocks and trees to shed their wool.
This helps them to beat the heat and stay cool. Meanwhile, those raising sheep tend to sheer them at least once
annually to regulate their body temperatures and keep infections at bay.
10) Rex Cats
There are different types of rex cats, but some of the most well-known breeds include the Selkirk Rex, Devon Rex,
Cornish Rex, and LaPerm. The word “rex” in the name refers to a genetic mutation responsible for
giving the cat curly hair. Rex cats are very smart, so don’t be surprised if yours begins picking things up quicker
than other felines. The animals are also very talkative. Therefore, if a person wants peace, this might
not be the right pet.
11) Texel Guinea Pigs
Texel Guinea Pigs are adorable, to say the least. They are mammals who originated in England and are known
for their curly hair. These animals are relatively easy to care for, making them excellent pets. Before bringing one
home, you should probably know a couple of things. This is a relatively new breed that crosses American and Peruvian breeds.
These pets with curly hair did not become popular in the U.S. until the 1990s. Hence, if something goes wrong
with your wee-little one, there might not be much information available on the matter. Additionally, these
guinea pigs are gentle for the most part. As such, you won’t have to worry about gettingclawed or bit with any luck
.
12) Mangalica Pigs
Did you know there is a particular pig breed with curly hair? It’s true. The Mangalica pig was created sometime in
the 1800s by humans cross-breeding Hungarian breeds with Serbian pigs and wild boars. These pigs come in three
varieties, which are all of the varying colors. Therefore, you might see these animals with red, swallow-bellied, or
blonde hair.
Mangalica pigs became very popular around the 1940s, but that popularity soon declined when humans stopped breeding
them. However, there has been a surge in recent years, and the pigs are coming back in favor. They are getting bred
now, and their numbers are increasing in North America, Hungary, and Europe.
13) Frillback Pigeons
Okay, technically, Frillback pigeons do not have curly hair. Rather, they have curly feathers but deserve
an honorable mention on this list. Selective dove breeding over the years is what brought these birds into
existence. Although many animals with curly hair are bred to sheer and make clothing, that is not the case with
Frillback pigeons. People bred them strictly for aesthetic purposes.
14) Irish Water Spaniel
Canis lupus familiaris is the scientific name for the Irish Water Spaniel. As with the rest of the animals, it
has curly hair too. The fur protects the animal from the cold and allows it to thrive in frigid climates. As the
name implies, this mammal is native to Ireland. The canine is large and was bred for the sole purpose of hunting
waterfowl. However, they are active, enjoy playing, and are excellent pets.
15) Portuguese Water Dogs
Next up on this list of animals with curly hair are Portuguese Water Dogs. If you ever saw the first canine, Bo, when
President Obama was in office, that was a Portuguese Water Dog. Something interesting about these canines is they
were originally bred to help fishermen/women in Portugal. The fur these pups have is water-proof and protects them
after jumping into cold lakes, rivers, and more. Anyone who gets one of these dogs as a pet should know that they
enjoy playing fetch, swimming, and doing other things that keep them active.
Some Last Words
The curly-haired animals listed here barely even begin to scratch the surface. In other words, there are plenty of
others where these came from. So, do some research to find different creatures if you wish, but hopefully, the
options provided here will do the trick for whatever you need.
As you can see, animals with curly hair come in many shapes and sizes. Thus, if you’re after a pet, a
creature with wool to make clothing, or something entirely different, there’s a very good chance that you’ll be able
to find it. So, what are you waiting for? Use this information or other data to find the exact animal that suits
your needs.