Rare hermaphrodite kitten is looking for a new home

An “unusual” kitten is up for adoption after vets discovered it was a hermaphrodite.

Nine-week-old Bellini was initially thought to be male when it was first taken in by a Cats Protection adoption centre in St Helens, Merseyside in February.

But when it was old enough to be neutered, vets discovered Bellini had female as well as male genitalia.

Sonia Scowcroft, the adoption centre’s manager, said she was "pretty stunned" as the condition is "so unusual".

"I have seen over 3,000 cats during my time at Cats Protection and only seen one other hermaphrodite cat," she said. "I certainly never thought I’d see two"

Hermaphroditism is rare in mammals as the condition usually occurs when there is a genetic anomaly during sexual development in the womb.

However, some creatures of other species are naturally born as simultaneous hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female reproductive parts for their entire life. These include earthworms, most snails, most marine invertebrates and around 21 species of fish.

Sarah Elliot, Cats Protection’s central veterinary officer, said: “Hermaphrodite – or intersex – cats do not frequently occur so Bellini is one of the more unusual cats to be found.”

“This may arise through mosaicism – when a kitten’s cells divide unusually while the kitten is a growing embryo.

“Such mosaicism may result in a cat with either male or female reproductive organs and genitalia, or a pair of mixed reproductive organs and genitalia. Bellini appears to be in the last group with a mixture of both.”

Although being a hermaphrodite should not cause any health complications for Bellini, the kitten does have a light heart murmur so will need a new owner who will ensure he has regular veterinary checks.

The kitten is being re-homed with its sister Daiquiri, after the pair formed a close bond.

Additional reporting by Press Association