Some friends of mine have a polydactyl cat named Dougus, whom I affectionately call “The Toes.” He certainly earns the name: With six toes on each foot, he is well above average — and he’s off the charts in good looks and charm as well. Polydactyly is not unusual in cats, so Dougus is hardly alone in his freaky awesomeness. Here are five fascinating facts about six-(or-more)-toed cats. Count your kitty’s toes. Odds are she has a total of 18, with five toes on each front paw and four on each rear. If your kitty is polydactyl, however, she might have as many as eight toes on any given paw. The word is Greek in origin, with “poly” meaning “many” and “daktylos” meaning “digits.” Most polydactyls have extra toes on their front paws, which sometimes resemble thumbs and make your kitty look as though she’s wearing adorable mittens. These extra digits are not opposable, which means your polydactyl cat will not be able to start feeding herself at 5 a.m. When a ship captain gave a white polydactyl cat named Snowball to writer Ernest Hemingway, the captain kicked off a pretty fantastic obsession for one of history’s most prolific cat guys.

At Hemingway’s island home off Key West, FL, he collected more than 50 cats, almost half of whom had extra toes. Thanks to his obsession, today polydactyls are frequently called “Hemingway cats.” As Catster’s Dorian Wagner did, you can visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, where the cat colony still thrives — and some of the kitties are descendents of Snowball, Hemingway’s original polydactyl. Bonus fact: Polydactyls are such a big deal that they’ve made it all the way to the White House: President Theodore Roosevelt had a six-toed first kitty named Slippers. The Internet cannot agree on which polydactyl kitty actually has the most toes. According to Guinness Records, the title belongs to Jake, a ginger tabby from Canada. He boasts seven toes on each paw, for a grand total of 28. Each toe has its own claw, pad, and bone structure. The rumor mill also tells of a 32-toed cat named Mickey Mouse who lived in the ’70s. But instead of polydactyly, he might have had a condition known as “double paws,” in which each paw is actually comprised of two fused mirror-image paws.

Having extra toes is complicated! Historically, polydactyly was a useful trait for Maine Coon cats. For a breed originating in snowy Maine, doublewide paws with extra digits functioned as natural snowshoes. At one time, as many as 40 percent of all Maine Coons had extra toes. Though the trait is no longer as predominant in the breed, Maine Coon polydactyls are still recognized as an official breed by many cat fanciers. Back in the day, polydactyl cats got their sea legs by accompanying fishermen on many journeys. And they earned their keep — they were rumored to be excellent mouse hunters, and their extra toes gave them better balance on ships that encountered rough waters. The cats’ many travels might explain their widespread presence today, predominantly in the United States, Canada, England, and Wales. Read more by Angela Lutz:Maine Coon cats are one of the most popular cat breeds in the US, which is fitting since they’re also one of the oldest natural breeds in America.

Maine Coons are said to be native to the state of Maine (where they’re also the official state cat), but how they originated remains a mystery. One theory holds that this large, hearty cat developed from matings between a wild cat and a raccoon, but this is a myth. House For Sale In KikuyuAnother theory suggests the first Maine Coon belonged to Marie Antoinette, who sent him (along with five other pet cats) to America during the French Revolution, when she was planning to escape from France.1Washer And Dryer For Sale Toledo Ohio The third, and most plausible, theory is that Maine Coons originated from matings between short-haired domestic cats and longhairs that were introduced to America by New England seamen or Vikings (who often kept cats on their ships to control mice).2Electrolux Whole House Air Purifier

No matter how they came to be, Maine Coons have been adored for centuries and they quickly find a forever place in their owner’s heart. These cats are sometimes called “dogs of the cat world” because they’re loyal, playful, and, unlike many other cat breeds, prefer to stay close to the ground and often enjoy water.3 What else is interesting about these “gentle giants”?4 1. Biggest Domestic Cat Maine Coons are the largest domestic cat breed. They’re big boned and muscular, with males weighing up to 18 pounds. Maine Coons can be up to 40 inches in length and come in 75 different color combinations. They’re also called the American Longhair. 2. The Only Show Cat Breed Originating in the US As mentioned, the Maine Coon is thought to be the result of breeding between domestic shorthair cats and longhair cats that hitched a ride to America on European settlers’ ships. Only the strongest and fittest could survive the harsh New England winters, and to this day Maine Coons are known as hearty working cats with excellent hunting skills.

3. They’re Ready for Winter As Maine Coons adapted to life on the east coast, they have long, shaggy multi-layered fur and large paws that help them walk on the snow. They also have furry ears (some with tufts) and bushy tails, which they can actually wrap around their body for extra warmth. 4. “Dogs of the Cat World” Maine Coons tend to be highly social and like human interaction. They’re known for being friendly, loyal, and playful, and they typically get along well with children and other pets. They can even play fetch and be walked on a leash! 5. They Chirp and Trill Maine Coons don’t typically “meow;” they chirp and trill (a mixture of a meow and a purr). Cats may chirp when they spot prey and a trill is often an expression of happiness. 6. They Like Water Most Maine Coons enjoy the water. They have water-resistant fur and can be quite efficient swimmers. Another theory for how Maine Coons got their name is that they are descendants of seafaring cats belonging to British Captain Charles Coon, who sailed off of New England in the 1800s.

The cats were said to be called “Coon’s cats.” 8. Related to Norwegian Forest Cats? Yet another theory about Maine Coons’ origins states that they came to America with the Vikings, which is why they resemble Norwegian Forest Cats. 9. They’re Not Related to Raccoons As mentioned, there’s a myth that Maine Coons are related to raccoons, but this is not true. 10. Winner of the First American Cat Show The first American cat show was held in New York City in 1895. The winner was a brown tabby Maine Coon cat named Cosey, who belonged to Mrs. E. N. Barker. Did you know that Maine Coon cats can sing too? Check out Max in the video above to see a Maine Coon cat in all his glory! If you’re thinking of adding a Maine Coon cat to your family, be warned – they’re expensive. The average price for is $1,000.Apply to one of the many Maine Coon rescue organizations for your new friend. They exist across the US, and adoption fees typically range from about $115 to $300 (or even less for a senior) and may be far less at animal control facilities.