Category: Breed Profiles

Breed Profiles

Manx: The Rabbit Cats

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Meredith Hemphill

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Gray tabby cat with no tail
Gray tabby Manx – Image by spicetree687 from Pixabay

Hundreds of years ago on a little island in the Irish Sea, humans first began to notice a curious kind of cat wandering about. It looked largely like a normal cat, except it had no tail! Within the small cat population of the Isle of Man, this odd trait soon became quite widespread, and eventually quite sought-after. The Manx breed can still be found on its home island but is now a beloved yet rare breed worldwide. In this article we’re going to explore this fascinating breed from theirs noses to the tips of their–well, wherever they may end.

Breed Characteristics

Re: That Tail

The lack of a tail is the most striking and famous feature of the breed, but not all Manx are tailless. There are four categories of Manx based on tail length. Those without tails are called rumpies. They have a shallow depression at the end of their spines where the tail would normally be. Some don’t have tails, but they do have three fused vertebrae at the base of the spine which lift up when the cat’s back is stroked. Such cats are called rumpy risers. Stumpies have very short tails, and longies have normal or close to normal length tails. Tails intermediate between the latter two are also possible. Regardless of tail length, they are still considered Manx cats, although only rumpies and rumpy risers are allowed in the show ring,

The wide variety of tail lengths seen in the breed, often in the same litter, is due to the genetics of the unusual trait. Four mutations have been identified that cause the tailless trait in Manx cats, but they all seem to behave in the same way (1). The mutations are dominant, but with partial penetrance. This means that any cat with a copy of the mutation would be expected to display the tailless trait, but sometimes they do and sometimes they have a less dramatically foreshortened tail. The science behind the Manx tail is still under investigation. Researchers are interested in it because of what these cats may be able to teach us about how the spine develops in mammals in general (i.e. humans), and how that sometimes goes wrong.

Tabby cat without tail
Silverwing, a champion Manx show cat in 1902 – Wikimedia Creative Commons

Manx have at most one copy of a tailless mutation. This is because having two mutant copies of the gene does cause things to go wrong during development. How, exactly, is unknown, as these kittens rarely survive long enough to be born. This is one of the reasons why Manx usually have small litters. Some kittens will inevitably inherit two mutant copies. Of course, this raises ethical questions about deliberately breeding these cats, knowing that some kittens will die. How many kittens, we can only guess using genetics and mathematics.

All other things being equal, in a mating of two parents, each carrying one mutant allele, about 25% of their offspring would inherit two mutant alleles and die. Responsible breeders can decrease those numbers by including longies in the breeding pool, as they are likely to not carry any mutant alleles. Do we trust breeders to make the right decisions? And do we accept that some kittens will still probably die even when a breeder is doing their best to avoid it? The kittens don’t suffer as far as we know. It’s a sticky dilemma. When we circle back around to some more biology later, there will be even more tough questions. But first, let’s go over something lighter.

General Appearance

Given that Manx can have normal tails, the lack of one is obviously not the only defining characteristic of the breed. Perhaps the most common adjective used to describe the appearance of Manx is “round.” They have round heads with large, round eyes and round cheeks that make them look a bit jowly. They’re hind legs are much longer than their forelegs, and this causes their backs to arch from shoulders to rump, thereby making their whole body look round. They have a stout body and broad chest with muscular, round haunches.

I repeatedly saw the ears described as looking like a cradle from the back, and frankly, I have no idea what that means. They just look like cat ears to me, but maybe that will strike a chord with someone else. Manx can come in any color or pattern under the sun, although the Cat Fanciers Association does not allow lavender or chocolate, or the color-point pattern, because they indicate hybridization. They may be short- or long-haired. Both have a double coat which can require weekly grooming, more during shedding seasons.

Manx playing fetch

Personality

Manx are known for being friendly and people-oriented. They are quiet cats, but will have conversations with their people in a soft trill like that used by mother cats to communicate with their kittens. Manx are typically very mellow, but they are fiercely loyal and are quite the guard-cats. They may go on the offensive if they perceive a threat. Strange dogs are the most likely to bear the brunt of real aggression. Familiar dogs, however, can be great friends.

Manx who are socialized to other pets and children when young do very well with them. Older Manx may take time to adjust if they aren’t used to such creatures, so give them time. Cats are creatures of habit, after all. Though not an extremely active breed, Manx are very playful and intelligent. They like to learn tricks and solve puzzles. Multiple Manx in the same household have a curious and amusing tendency to chase each other in circles.

Despite the often missing or short tail, Manx do not struggle with balance and are excellent hunters and jumpers. Their powerful back legs can get them into most high places, so be sure to lock up anything you don’t want them to have. Hiding it in a cupboard or on a tall shelf will not keep it away from a determined Manx. These cats are thought to have particularly robust inner ears to help them maintain their balance, something most cats would use their tails to aid in.

History (Maybe)

There were no native European wild cats on the Isle of Man when the domestic cats first arrived. On that much, there is a consensus. Beyond that, no one is certain when or how domestic cats came to the island, or why they came to have such a strange mutation. Even scientists are still in flux about the latter. Of course, the locals have much more interesting stories.

One common theory holds that a ship wrecked near the Isle of Man. The ship had cats, as most would have, and these swam to shore and colonized the island. The sailors were not so lucky. Another version of this story would have it that there were already cats on the island, and the tailless feline survivor(s) of the shipwreck were the genesis of the Manx breed. The origin of the ship in the story varies, as well. Often it’s a ship (or two) from the Spanish Armada that wrecked in 1588, but at least two other shipwrecks are considered possible sources. It has also been speculated that the Vikings brought cats, or at least that they brought the long-haired cats. We will probably never know for sure.

Northern island coastline
The Isle of Man – Photo by Smergen from FreeImages

We now know why Manx cats sometimes have no tails, but the first linguistic reference to the tailless cats on the Isle of Man was in the mid-eighteenth century (2). The residents couldn’t have known about genetic mutations. So they came up with their own ideas. One theory took into account the stumpy or absent tail and long legs of Manx cats, which sometimes have a hoppy gait, and decided that they were not cats but cabbits, the offspring of a cross between cats and rabbits. This theory really raises more questions than it answers, but Manx do look a little bit bunny-like. Needless to say, cabbits are biologically impossible.

Another story went that when Noah built the Ark to save two of every animal from God’s flood (see the Book of Genesis), the Manx cats were running late. Does this mean Noah took two of every breed of cat on board? The story doesn’t elaborate. But the rains were about the start and Noah had already started the door closing when the cats were running up the gangplank. They made it through–but their tails didn’t.

Maybe the most gruesome story yet goes that Viking or Irish warriors used to steal Manx kittens to cut off their tails. They would use the tails to adorn their helmets as good luck charms. The mother cats did not take kindly to this, but they were no match for the warriors. So they did the best they could. They bit off their kittens’ tails to save them from a worse fate.

Thankfully, no Manx actually had their tails cut off in the making of, well, Manx. However cats came to the island, after that a random mutation that caused the tailless trait arose. This trait is detrimental to reproductive success and sometimes the individual. Manx have compensated for the lack of balance, but that may have come at the Darwinian expense of tailless cats that could not. Even if not, cats use their tails for communication as well. There are also health problems associated with the trait, not to mention that having two copies of the mutation is lethal. So why did it become so widespread?

The traditional explanation was genetic drift, the phenomenon by which a trait changes in frequency in a population by random chance. In other words, it just kind of happened. In small, inbred populations, this is pretty common. Try out a simulation of genetic drift here if you’re interested in seeing how this works. However, a study in 1980 found that the tailless trait would become stable in a population, despite the lethality, as long as sperm carrying the dominant mutant allele had an advantage during fertilization (3). While the study was mathematical in nature, it gives a strong indication of why the Manx trait may have been so persistent on the Isle of Man (3). She-cats frequently mate with multiple toms while in heat, so that selective fertilization advantage could make a difference.

Health Concerns

This is its own section for a reason. Manx are wonderful companions and can make great pets, but no one wants to get a sick cat they weren’t prepared for. Manx don’t have very many breed-specific health problems, but the ones they do have can be severe. They usually appear early in life, by four months at the latest, so if you purchase from a breeder, be very cautious of anyone willing to part with kittens before the age of four months.

Silver coin
Coin from Isle of Man showing a Manx cat – Isle of Man Post Office (https://www.iompost.com/)

Manx are prone to corneal dystrophy, a progressive cloudy buildup in the cornea of the eye. It typically appears by four months. It can cause vision loss and blindness, depending upon the severity, but cats can learn to cope with blindness well.

The worst concern with these cats is Manx syndrome, a group of conditions that can co-occur in Manx cats. It’s most common when rumpies are bred to rumpies for multiple generations but sometimes crops up even with responsible breeding. Manx syndrome includes spinal disorders like spina bifida (incomplete closure of the vertebrae over the spinal cord, leaving exposed nerve tissue), fused vertebrae, short or missing vertebrae, and deformed pelvic and/or sacral bones (4). Neurological problems such as lower-body paralysis or difficulty walking can occur (4). Cats with milder symptoms walk with the bunny-hop that led some to think Manx were cabbits (4). Inability to control the bowels and bladder and digestive problems are symptoms of Manx syndrome as well (4). Kittens with this disease are often euthanized.

Once again, the ethical question of whether we should be breeding Manx raises its ugly head. At one time, anyone that wanted a Manx had to have them shipped from the Isle of Man, where the cats just bred themselves. But supply inevitably outstripped demand, and here we are. I know I wouldn’t buy a Manx from a breeder, but I wouldn’t buy any cat from a breeder, so that’s easy for me to say. It seems objectively wrong to breed cats in the knowledge that some proportion will die in utero or die later because they’re so sick.

On the other hand, these are cats that occur in the wild, unlike some novelty breeds that were artificially selected to be that way. Does the natural-ness of the breed make it okay for us to breed more? I’m not a philosopher. You reach your own conclusions. But I will, and always will, say this: adopt, don’t shop! If you would like to adopt a Manx cat, check at your local shelter or Tailless Cat Rescue (http://www.taillesscatrescue.com/).

Fun Facts

  • Koko, the gorilla who learned American Sign Language, had a Manx as her first kitten. Koko named her All Ball because of her roundness.
  • The Manx was one of the founding breeds of the Cat Fanciers Association in 1906.
  • You can visit a Manx cat sanctuary on the Isle of Man: Mann Cat Sancuary (manncat.com).
  • Long-haired Manx are sometimes recognized as a separate breed, the Cymric (meaning “Welsh”).
  • Manx have been pictured on coins and stamps in their native Britain.

Works Cited

  1. Buckingham, K.J., et al. (2013). Multiple mutant T alleles cause haploinsufficiency of Brachyury and short tails in Manx cats. Mammalian Genome, 24(9-10), 400-408. DOI: 10.1007/s00335-013-9471-1
  2. Baraniuk, C. (2016, February 2). Why the cats on one British island have lost their tails. BBC Earth. link here.
  3. Adalsteinsson, S. (1980). Establishment of equilibrium for the dominant lethal gene for Manx taillessness in cats. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 57, 49-53. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00277762
  4. Meggitt, J. Spina bifida in Manx kittens. The Nest. https://pets.thenest.com/spina-bifida-manx-kittens-7590.html.

Published April 24, 2020

Updated January 15, 2021

Breed Profiles

Savannah: Exotic Beauty

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Meredith Hemphill

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Encyclopaedia Felidae now has a Patreon! Go to www.patreon.com/EncyclopaediaFelidae if you want to help support this content!

I am going to be upfront–this article is as much a PSA as it is a breed profile. I do not support the breeding of hybrid cats, including the Savannah, and I will explain the reasons in the latter portion of the article. That being said, I do think everyone should have access to good information, whether it supports my opinion or not, and I have done my best to gather everything I could on these cats. I readily admit that it was a difficult process, as hybrid cats are very controversial, and there is a lot of contradictory information out there. If you know anything I have written to be demonstrably incorrect, please let me know.

Two servals
Pair of servals – Image by skeeze from Pixabay

Savannahs are a very new breed of cat, first created on April 7th, 1986 when a female kitten named Savannah was born to a successful mating of a female Siamese and a male serval. Servals are a species of African wild cat, significantly larger than a domestic cat but small as wild cats go. They’re pelts are typically golden yellow to beige with dark black spots, and Savannahs inherited a similar patterning as well as the exotic morphology of their wild parentage.

Since the first breeder of Savannah cats became established in the 1980s, they gained popularity quickly. The International Cat Association began registering Savannahs in 2001 and gave the breed championship status in 2012. The Cat Fanciers Association does not recognize any hybrid cat breeds (except the Bengal, which was grandfathered in), so Savannahs cannot be shown at CFA events. That has not slowed the breed down, however. For many people, the appeal lies in having a domestic pet that looks like a wild animal. And they certainly do look wild and beautiful.

Savannahs are about half the size of servals but are large for domestic cats. A Savannah that has a serval parent, known as an F1 (filial generation one), can reach 30 pounds (13.6 kg), but they get smaller with successive generations (F2, F3, etc.). After F1 the parents are all Savannahs or sometimes other domestic cats. The males are usually larger, but in the later generations, about F4+, the average size evens out to 12-18 pounds (5.4-8.2 kg). They look larger, however, because Savannahs are so tall and long. An F2 is 14-17 inches (35.6-43.2 cm) tall, with the height decreasing somewhat until F4. Savannahs are the tallest breed of cat. A Savannah holds the last two Guinness word records for tallest cat, at 19 inches (48.3 cm) and just over 19 inches. Non-hybrid cats are usually around 9 inches (22.9 cm) tall.

A breed standard Savannah has a pattern of spots similar to a serval, with rows of dark spots along their body and smaller spots on the head and extremities. They are permitted to come in four colors, but alternative colors and patterns are sometimes sold by breeders. The most common coat color is brown spotted tabby, which is most similar to the coloration of a serval. The base color of the coat is golden brown with black spots. The second most popular is silver spotted tabby, with a gray/silver base and black spots. Black and black smoke Savannahs may appear solid black from a distance, but they actually have darker black spots on a somewhat lighter base coat. Black smoke Savannahs have a white undercoat, giving them a bit of a smokey appearance.

Cheetah portrait shot
“Tear-stain” markings are common in spotted wildcats – Photo by jean wimmerlin on Unsplash

Savannahs have large, almost bat-like ears, perched high on the head, like their serval parents. They also inherited light-colored ocelli marks on the back of these huge ears (see serval picture above). Ocelli marks, also called eye-spots, are found in many species, including some butterflies and fish as well as wild cats, and they are believed to be an adaptation to deceive predators. They may draw attention away from the real eyes or make the animal seem larger and more threatening. Tabby cats sometimes have these anyway, but they are characteristic of Savannahs. The large ears combine with a wedge-shaped head and long muzzle to really emphasize the jungle-cat look of Savannahs. Dark tear-stain markings around the eyes are reminiscent of wild cats as well.

The personality of Savannah cats is influenced by their filial generation. F1, F2, and F3 cats tend to exhibit more wild behaviors while F4 and later act more like typical domestic cats. In general, Savannah enthusiasts and breeders describe the breed’s personality as similar to that of a working dog. They are high-energy, very intelligent, and very affectionate. They are known for enjoying playing fetch and a propensity for learning tricks.

Savannahs tend to bond strongly with their people and want to be with them and involved in what they are doing at all times. Many Savannahs like water, so that can include bath time! Due to their activity level and intelligence, Savannahs can become bored easily and get into mischief if not provided with enough attention and stimulation. They love jumping and climbing, so they need enough space and appropriate surfaces for them to explore. These cats can jump up to eight feet (2.4 m) high, so keep that in mind when cat-proofing for them.

Savannah cat playing fetch

Whether or not Savannahs are generally healthy cats seems to be a matter of much debate. Some sources mentioned only a slightly higher risk of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a disease where thickening of the heart muscle can lead to heart failure. It was almost universally acknowledged that male Savannahs prior to F4 are usually sterile due to genetic incompatibility between domestic cats and servals, a phenomenon known as hybrid sterility. However, rescue organizations mentioned other health problems that they have come across, the most common being irritable bowel disease/chronic diarrhea. There are suggestions that raw diets or diets without corn may alleviate IBD in hybrid cats, but it’s unclear.

Savannah cats are a very expensive breed, with the cheapest going for around $1,000 (USD) but some fetching as much as $35,000. Lower-numbered filial generations, females, and rarer colors and patterns garner higher prices. Much of the hefty price tag is attributed to the difficulty of breeding savannahs. As mentioned earlier, servals and domestic cats are partially incompatible, leading to male hybrid sterility, among other problems. Even convincing the two parties to mate can be difficult. There are differences in behavior, and servals are much bigger and more aggressive. The servals often kill the domestic cats, perhaps seeing the smaller feline as food rather than a possible mate (1).

Even if physical and behavioral limitations do not get in the way, Savannah breedings are often unsuccessful. Many result in miscarriages or premature births (1). Servals have a gestation period of seventy-five days, but domestic cats have a gestation period of sixty-five days. Male servals are usually mated with female domestic cats to produce F1 Savannahs, so the kittens may be born small and/or underdeveloped (1).

You might think that someone who has spent that much money on a cat would never give it up, but Savannahs and other hybrid cats are frequently given up to animals shelters or wild cat rescues, or simply set loose. Animal shelters have started refusing to take hybrid cats due to liability concerns or because they doubt they can find homes for them. If they do take them, they may put them down immediately. Wild cat rescues are often the best hope for hybrid cats that owners want to surrender, but both Wild Cat Sanctuary and Big Cat Rescue say on their websites that they cannot accommodate the deluge of requests to take hybrid cats. Neither sanctuary takes surrendered hybrid pets, although WCS says they will consider F1 cats.

Savannah cat sitting
Savannah cat glamour shot – Image by skeeze from Pixabay

Why are so many Savannahs and other hybrid cats being abandoned? Some people have excellent experiences with their Savannahs. Unfortunately breeding a wild animal with a domesticated one does not always achieve the advertised wild look and domestic behavior. Genetics does not work that way, and so it is that Savannahs frequently exhibit wild cat behaviors as well as exotic looks.

One of the most common problems is spraying. This is a common problem with cats, but it is on another level with a cat that has wild genes. Wild cats have to mark miles of territory, and so Savannahs, even when neutered, male or female, may feel compelled to do the same, spraying all over the place, sometimes even on the people they consider theirs.

Savannahs can also be very destructive with tooth and claw, sometimes aggressively and sometimes in play. They tend to be biters, and with a cat that big that can be a serious issue. They also tend to scratch or chew up their environment as a wild cat would tend to do. Giving them plenty of exercise, walking them on a leash, or providing them with an outdoor enclosure (with a roof) to let off steam can help with destructive tendencies.

Aggressive tendencies may be more difficult to deal with. Savannahs can be very affectionate, but they usually bond to one or a few people, and even then they are sometimes unpredictable. Some Savannahs are very aggressive. Although they are marketed as getting along well with children and other pets, sometimes they do and sometimes they really, really don’t. They’re strong prey drive can be particularly troublesome if there are small pets in the house. That high intelligence may be directed toward learning how to open the hamster’s cage.

Savannahs of earlier filial generations tend to display more of these undesirable wild behaviors. For this reason, some breeders only sell cats of later generations, but that leaves the earlier ones in the lurch. We shouldn’t blame the cats for acting in ways we don’t appreciate. It is in their DNA, after all. Cats domesticated themselves thousands of years ago. A couple generations of breeding the domestic form to a wild animal cannot make a new domestic creature. Wild Cat Sanctuary suggests that anyone who has bought or adopted a savannah or other hybrid cat and regrets it try building an outdoor enclosure with a heated den (https://www.wildcatsanctuary.org/education/species/hybrid-domestic/what-is-a-hybrid-domestic/). They keep their small wild cats and hybrids in the same set-up. This puts a Savannah in an environment where it can be as wild as it wants and cause no trouble.

If you would like a Savannah, whatever your reasons, I strongly recommend adopting one. As a rule, we should all adopt, not shop, but especially in this case. Buying these cats encourages breeding more, but adopting them gives homes to the many who have been abandoned without supporting the problematic Savannah breeding industry. Two organizations I came across during my research were Savannah Cat Rescue (http://svrescue.com/) and Specialty Purebred Cat Rescue (https://www.purebredcatrescue.org/). There are probably others, and you could always try contacting your local animal shelter and letting them know of your interest. Make sure to look up your local regulations on exotic pets first, because some places have bans or restrictions on savannahs.

Works Cited

  1. Seder, R.A. (2017). AAFP position statement: Hybrid cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 19(3), 312-313.

Published March 21st, 2020

Updated March 12th, 2021

Breed Profiles

Siamese: Thai Temple Cats

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Meredith Hemphill

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Encyclopaedia Felidae now has a Patreon! Go to www.patreon.com/EncyclopaediaFelidae if you want to help support this content!

Siamese cats may be one of the most recognizable breeds today, but for centuries they were one of Thailand’s best kept secrets. They stalked the halls of Thai palaces and temples at a time when the country was still known as Siam, hence their name. Siamese cats are believed to have occurred naturally in Thailand and later been selectively bred for certain traits. Though Siamese cats only began to spread outside Thailand during the late 1800s, they have quickly become one of the most popular breeds of cats in the world.

Siamese kitten
Siamese kittens are born white – Photo by TaniaVdB on Pixaby

Siamese cats are easily recognized by their long, lithe, and angular bodies, as well as their color-point patterning which arose in the Thai cat population as a genetic mutation. It causes cats to have a light background color, ranging from white to tan, with darker coloration on the ears, face, paws, and tail. Kittens are born white and their points darken as they age. Many cat show organizations, including the Cat Fanciers Association, only recognize seal (dark brown-black), chocolate, blue, and lilac points, but almost any color of point is possible, including patterned points, i.e. tabby.

Siamese cats have long, slim bodies with wedge-shaped heads and large, triangular ears. Their hind legs are longer than their forelegs, and they have small, dainty, oval-shaped paws. Their almond-shaped eyes are a vibrant blue, one of their most alluring and unusual traits. They occasionally have crossed eyes or kinked tails. These are harmless deformities that were once very prominent in the breed but which breeders have tried to eliminate, with only partial success.

It is commonly believed that Siamese cats have been bred to have a more thin, angular, and generally extreme shape in more recent years, and that the original breed that arose in Thailand had a more moderate body plan and rounder face. There are still Siamese cats being bred to this form today. Sometimes they are recognized as a separate breed, called the Thai. Other times they are referred to as “traditional” or “applehead” Siamese cats.

Lilac-point siamese cat
Sleepy blue eyes – Photo by TaniaVdB on Pixaby

Siamese cats have a rich history in their native Thailand. They are thought to be a very old breed, but exactly how old is uncertain. The Tamra Maew manuscript, called The Cat Poems in English, was discovered in a royal Buddhist temple and depicts lucky and unlucky cats (1). One of the lucky cats has a white body and dark or black tail, ears, paws, and mask (1). Manuscripts such as these were handwritten on palm-leaves or bark, which would become fragile with age and need to be painstakingly copied periodically.

The Cat Poems originated in Ayutthaya, a city which was later destroyed, but some of the manuscripts from its temple survived and were taken to Bangkok, including The Cat Poems (1). The copy of the Tamra Maew which was discovered has been dated to between 1840 and 1850 by The International Maew Boran Association (TIMBA) but research suggests that it may date to the Khmer Empire (802 to 1432), making Siamese cats a very old breed indeed (1).

Thai legends account for the crooked tails and crossed eyes that used to be so common to the breed (2). One tells of a princess who was bathing in a river. She feared that her rings would be lost in the swift current, but her favorite cat was close at hand, as usual, so she placed her rings on its tail for safekeeping (2). The loyal cat made sure to keep the rings on its tail, but it had a little kink in its tail forever after (2). In another tale, pun intended, a royal guard cat is tasked with watching over a gold goblet (2). The cat wraps its tail tightly around the stem of the goblet so it can’t let its charge out of its sight (2). The determined guard proceeds to watch the goblet so long and with such fierce focus that it goes cross-eyed (2).

These stories also allude to the personality of Siamese cats which are a very people-oriented and loyal breed. Highly social and intelligent, this is one breed that does not like to be left alone and does best if they have a similarly playful friend to keep them occupied while their human is at work. Siamese cats get along well with other cats as well as dogs and children. They just want to be friends. And they want someone to talk to. Siamese are well known for being “talkers,” with a loud, unique meow that they use all the time to tell you about everything.

These cats are very affectionate. They like to follow their people around to see what they’re doing or just cuddle and tell you about their day. Because they are so intelligent, Siamese cats can get bored, and therefore get into trouble. Giving them puzzle toys or taking them on walks to give their brains as well as their bodies something to do is a good idea.

Siamese tom showing off the breed’s distinctive voice

Siamese cats have a short, fine-textured coat that requires very little grooming, only a weekly combing. As they are attention sponges, they usually enjoy being groomed. Dental care may need to be more intensive. The wedge shape of their heads makes Siamese cats prone to periodontal disease, so daily brushing is recommended. This is easiest when begun as a kitten. Weekly brushing or other dental care options are less effective but may still do the trick. Consult a vet to see what your cat needs. The shape of their heads also increases the risk of respiratory problems. The breed carries a risk of developing eye problems, such as retinal atrophy or glaucoma, heart problems, and bladder stones. These conditions are more likely later in life.

The enduring popularity of Siamese cats makes a lot of sense. They are a friendly and beautiful breed with a lot to say for themselves. They make excellent family pets because they get along so well with other pets and children. While a chatty cat isn’t for everyone, its clear that many people, including Thai royalty, love this special feline.

Fun Facts

  • The Siamese was one of the original breeds recognized by the CFA when it was founded in 1906.
  • Siamese cats first arrived in the United States in 1878 when one was gifted to President Rutherford B. Hayes’s wife, Lucy, by a diplomat. The cat was named, very creatively, “Siam.”
  • The Siamese may have been displayed at the first major cat show in 1871 at London’s Crystal Palace. A journalist with Harper’s Weekly described the breed as “an unnatural, nightmare kind of cat.”
  • A pair of Siamese cats alerted their owner to the presence of Russian espionage in the 1960s (3). Dutch ambassador Henri Heib was woken up by his yowling cats scratching at the wall in the middle of the night as he slept in the embassy in Moscow, possibly when the 30 hidden microphones turned on and made a noise only the cats could hear (3). The ambassador chose to leave the bugs in his apartment, and he and his wife used them to manipulate their eavesdroppers into doing favors for them such as getting packages unstuck from customs (3).
  • The Thai name for the native Siamese breed is “wichienmaat,” which means “gold diamond.”

Works Cited

  1. The International Maew Boran Association. (2020). http://www.timba.org/
  2. Geyer, G.A. (2004). When cats reigned like kings: On the trail of the sacred cats. Andrews McMeel Publishing.
  3. Reuter. (1964, May 26). Microphone revealed by cats: Ambassador made use of it. The Glasgow Herald, p. 9.

Published January 30, 2020

Updated June 4, 2021

Breed Profiles

Maine Coon: Big Fluffy Mystery in New England

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Meredith Hemphill

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Encyclopaedia Felidae now has a Patreon! Go to www.patreon.com/EncyclopaediaFelidae if you want to help support this content!

What do you get when you cross a raccoon with a domestic cat? Absolutely nothing, because that’s impossible. However, this is perhaps the wildest of the origin stories told about the State Cat of Maine, the Maine Coon. Maine Coons are an American breed of cat that evolved naturally in the harsh environment of the Northeast. How their forebears came to be in the New England wilderness is anybody’s guess, and theories abound about this big, friendly cat.

The raccoon hybrid idea is ridiculous, but in a less enlightened age it may have made sense. Most Maine Coons are brown tabbies, often with dark circles or marks around their eyes. Add in the breed’s fluffy tail and it’s not so hard to see how someone might think they look like raccoons. This is how they got their names, after all. The early nineteenth century farmers and sailors who first recognized the superb mousing ability of these cats would have known there were raccoons and other cats in the area. So there’s some 1800s logic for you.

A slightly less absurd suggestion is that Maine Coons are hybrids of domestic cats and bobcats. I tried to find any evidence that this is possible, and it appears not to be [1]. Again, I can see where the concept came from, as Maine Coons can be MASSIVE cats, the larger males sometimes reaching over 25 lbs or 11.3 kg (with an average weight of 16 lbs for males and 12 lbs for females). With tufted ears and paws like bobcats as well, and bobcats at least being a kind of cat, it seems reasonable. But still not possible.

Other stories told about Maine Coons suggest that they arose from the more regionally common short-haired cats intermingling with long-haired breeds brought from overseas. This seems much more likely. In a more scandalous version of this tale, a sea captain loyal to the French crown brought a shipload of Marie Antoinette’s valuables over to the new world, including six of her favorite cats. The plan was to return for the queen and rescue her from the over-boiling French Revolution, but the captain was too late to save her, and the cats were loosed in New England. I have my doubts that the queen would have sent her valuables ahead and stayed where the danger was, but who’s to say?

The most likely scenarios, if the traits did not arise spontaneously, would still have us thanking sailors for this immensely popular breed of cat. Some theorize that an English captain named Samuel Coon kept cats on board his ship, as many seafarers did. He specifically favored Persians and Angoras, two long-haired breeds that were popular in England during the American colonial period. As he sailed up and down the New England coast, his cats would disembark from time to time, and long-haired kittens began to crop up in the litters of the short-haired cats on shore. People would say that the mother had met up with “one of Coon’s cats.”

Alternatively, it’s thought that Vikings who visited the New World in the eleventh century may have brought long-haired Norwegian Skogkatts, known today as Norwegian Forest Cats, a breed which has a lot of similarities to Maine Coons. In either case, the long-haired trait was beneficial to wild and semi-feral barn cats surviving outside through the bitterly cold winters, so it began to take hold in the population.

Three Maine Coon cats
Photo by skeeze via pixabay

It isn’t only the length of their fur that makes Maine Coons well-suited to their natural environment. Their pelt is thick and water resistant, further insulating them from the weather. The tufts of fur on their ears prevent heat from escaping. Their big, tufted paws serve as snowshoes, allowing them to walk over snow despite their size. Those big paws are also part of what makes them such good mousers!

Maine Coons can take a while to get comfortable with new people, but once they’re sure about you they are very friendly and love to spend time with their humans. They are known for following people around and enjoy attention, although they aren’t usually lap cats. They just want to be where you are. Main Coons are one of the few breeds of cats that like water, so they may want to be with you even in the shower. Close the door if that doesn’t appeal to you. Get out the camera if you think it’s hilarious.

That long, silky fur requires some grooming, but the Maine Coon isn’t as high-maintenance as some long-haired breeds. Occasional grooming to take care of tangles is sufficient for most cats. Since Maine Coons are so affectionate, they usually enjoy grooming.

Brown Maine Coon cat looking out the window
Alfred the Maine Coon – Photo by Benjamin Balázs

Maine Coons are said to make great family pets because they get along well with children and other animals. They keep a kitten-like playfulness into old age but are also very easy-going, so they don’t mind the antics of human children. Maine Coons are very intelligent and like to learn tricks, solve puzzles, and play fetch, things that children often enjoy doing with their pets but some dogs can’t even be bothered to do. Not the dog I had growing up, anyways. RIP, Dolly. You were so loyal and so very lazy.

As with any breed, there is an increased risk of certain health concerns. Maine Coons can be prone to hip dysplasia, particularly those of larger size. They also have a genetic propensity for a form of heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and for spinal muscular atrophy, which usually develops early in kittenhood. There are genetic tests available for both of these conditions.

The Cat Fanciers’ Association named the Maine Coon the 5th most popular breed of 2018. They are such beautiful cats, and full of personality, it’s easy to see why people love them. They fit into a wide variety of homes as well. Not to mention that anyone who owns one will never have a rodent problem. In all the time since being removed from the New England wilderness, they haven’t lost that edge. Soft and fluffy yet built tough as nails, these unique cats are truly the stuff of legend.

Fun Facts

  • The Best Cat at the first major United States cat show (1895 in NYC) was a Maine Coon. She was a brown tabby named Cosey.
  • There was so little demand for the Maine Coon that it was declared extinct in the 1950s! They might have spoken too soon.
  • Unlike most domestic cats, Maine Coons do not finish growing until they are 3-5 years old.
  • The most common color of Maine Coon is brown tabby, but they come in 75 different color combinations and many different patterns.
  • Their eyes may be green, gold, green-gold, or copper. White or bi-color Maine Coons sometimes have blue or odd eyes.
  • The longest cat on record was a Maine Coon. Mymains Steward Gilligan, or Stewie, was 4 ft 0.42 in or 123 cm long!

Works Cited

  1. Hartwell, S. (1993). Domestic Hybrids with Bobcat and Lynx. Messy Beast. http://messybeast.com/small-hybrids/rufus-lynx-hybrids.htm

Published December 30th, 2019

Updated June 14th, 2023