5 Facts About Polydactyl Maine Coon Cats
Do you know that polydactyl cats are born with extra toes because of the genetic mutation? Especially, It’s believed that Maine Coon is the first cat breed having this specific trait. Polydactyl Maine coon cats can have eight toes on each leg. What an exciting thing to know.
Why do Maine Coon Cats have polydactyl?
The word “Polydactyly” was named from the Greek, which means many or extra toes. Polydactyly has been a common trait in the Maine Coon cat breed. It also contributes to the large proportion of the Maine Coon’s gene.
However, this anomaly is totally harmless and predominantly affects the cats from the US, Wale, and England. Typically, a cat has five toes on the front leg and four on the back, but a maine coon polydactyl can have up to eight toes on each paws.
There are some myths and folk stories surrounded polydactyl Maine Coon cats . But the main reason for the polydactyl is the gene mutation in the dominant gene.
And maybe you don’t know, the polydactyl cat is considered as a lucky symbol of sailors for long journeys on the sea.
Are all Maine Coon Cats Polydactyl?
Not all Maine Coon polydactyl. Even though polydactyl causes no infection or any serious health issues, the breeders still try to breed out this mutation. It is estimated that 40% of the Maine Coon cats with extra toes.
The Maine Coon cat is one of the most well-known of the polydactyly. To reduce this, the owners should notice their mating aspect because the polydactyly may produce some complications such as nail overgrowth or soreness for your cats.
5 facts about polydactyl Maine Coon cats
Maine Coons are the most likely to be Polydactyl cats
This polydactyl gene was most common in Main Coon cat breed, but as the bred with other cat breeds, the polydactyl gene spread over them all. Since then, it has completely changed and is not as unique as it used to be Maine Coon.
Polydactyl cats are believed to be exceptional hunters
Since a long time ago, the sailor took polydactyl cats to take care of the goods on the ship. Gradually, these cats improved their skills and can sense danger better. No mouse could escape a polydactyl cat.
Polydactyl cats are lucky symbols
Sailors truly believe that polydactyl cats are lucky charms because these extra toes keep them balance better on the ship’s gunnels and rails when they hit the rocky sea.
Polydactyl cats are called “Hemingway cats”
This is originated from the famous writer Ernest Hemingway. Once, he was gifted a white polydactyl cat by a ship captain and then kept breeding the polydactyl gene. He soon had about 50 polydactyl cats on his estate in Key West, Florida. Nowadays, it has been turned into a museum, and many polydactyl cats are well cared for here as museum staff. How lovely!
Some polydactyl cats have “mitten.”
Some cats have extra toes which are attached to the medial side of the cat’s paw. You will see it likes a thumb-up or a mitten paw. This is such an attractive trait of the polydactyly.
Conclusion:
Being the owner of a polydactyl Maine Coon cat isn’t more complicated than being the owner of a typical cat. Though they have some extra toes, no special treatment is needed as they are still healthy and look adorable as well. The best advice here, when you think your life gets boring, adopt a cat and see how fast your life changes better.