| type="text/javascript"> | | | | their extraordinary mousing skills and supposed good |
| With extra toes on their feet American Polydactyls | | | | luck affiliation. |
| are unique cats. The additional toes can either be on | | | | Polydactyly may be seen in any cat breed and is |
| only the front or the hind paws or on all four paws. | | | | perhaps commonest in Maine Coons. The cats with |
| They are more common on front paws though and | | | | extra toes are called mitten cats, thumb cats or at |
| may range anywhere between four to seven in their | | | | times Hemingway cats - owing to the great love and |
| number. This condition is owing to a genetic mutation | | | | passion that the famous writer had for these felines. |
| and is seen more as a trait than a distinct breed. | | | | The polydactyl cats that are specifically bred for this |
| Indeed many cat fanciers are reluctant to grant them | | | | trait have medium sized muscular bodies. Head is |
| registration and individual status. Nevertheless many | | | | broad with wide set pointed ears and slightly slanted |
| breeders continue to develop these cats for their | | | | round eyes. They may occur in any color as does the |
| appearance and attributes. It is said that they were | | | | close-lying fur. At times the tail may be short and |
| brought to United States couple of centuries ago on | | | | resemble that of a Bobtail cat. |
| ships from Europe, with sailors treasuring them for | | | | |