Meet Batman—not the iconic superhero from Gotham City, but a one-of-a-kind rescue cat with an extraordinary feature: he has two sets of ears. Batman was just three years old when he was brought to the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, his previous owner could no longer take care of him, and that’s when Batman’s journey at the shelter began.
Batman’s unique appearance is due to a rare genetic mutation, which experts believe occurs when both parents carry the same recessive gene. This condition was first recorded back in 1938 when a cat named Toots was found with similar traits. The mutation caught the attention of scientists again in 1957, as noted by WNEP. Despite his unusual appearance, Batman doesn’t actually have double ear canals or hearing organs—he simply has extra ear flaps, known as pinnae. So while his name may evoke thoughts of superpowers, Batman doesn’t possess any extraordinary hearing abilities.
Just take a look at him with those adorable extra ear flaps!
Although this mutation is uncommon, Batman isn’t the first feline to gain fame because of it. In 2008, a gray house cat named Yoda captured the hearts of millions online, amassing over 16 million fans. Yoda’s story began when a couple rescued him from a group of curious onlookers at a bar, as reported by DailyMail. The couple’s vet was astounded by Yoda’s appearance, admitting that he had never seen anything like it before. Yoda, like Batman, was a rare find.
People are naturally drawn to pets with unique characteristics, which is why Batman quickly became a favorite at the shelter. Hala Nuemah, the managing director of the Western PA Humane Society, told WNEP, “As an open-door shelter, we take in and care for any animal brought to us. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a four-eared cat comes in the door!”
These poor kitties were rescued from an animal cruelty case where they were starved, locked in cages with inches of feces, and received no water or food. Now, these cats need your help!
After receiving medical care at the humane society, Batman was adopted within just a few hours. And it’s easy to see why—his charm is undeniable. Plus, who wouldn’t want a cat named Batman? You can learn more about this special feline below.