Manx Cats

[EnglishCat]

Does anyone know how it came to be that Manx cats from the Isle of Man have no or very short tails?

[Dogdollar]

I'll bet our member A.B. would know, his avatar pic is his Manx, Misha.
He should be along shortly........
DD

[EnglishCat]

Thanks, that's great!

[A.B.]

Glad I checked in (don't ask about the Giants-Dodgers, sheesh! Swoon time).


Misha the Manx

Boffins say that it is an example of the Founder's Effect, ie, it is a natural mutation, and that the Manx breed arose spontaneously from cats on the island (of Manx). Breeders have to be careful about mating two cats with the same tail-less gene (there is a variety of stumpiness, stubbiness and relative lengths to the tails), otherwise serious problems arise with their spines. Not sure how they sort this out in the wild, but Misha is very, as in extremely discriminating about cat-mates, that I can attest to.

Legend has that they are cabbits, since they hop and walk like rabbits (this is a most amusing trait, BTW), and not like other cats. They can also climb straight up wood siding, but that is another story. The best legend is that the Manx were late for the Ark, and Noah slammed the door on their tails. This is fairly plausible, if one knows one, and prefer to believe in the literalness of such things. Legend also has it that they were stranded on the Island by the sinking of the Spanish Armada after its defeat. This strikes me as nonsense, as refugees from the Armada are traditionally blamed for a great number of genetic variations in Great Britain; this seems one of the less likely myths. Chances are that someone brought a few cats to the Island many years ago, et viola. Followed by the Founders Effect.

At any rate, I'm glad they did. They are most unusual (and working) cats, and bond with one person for life. I certainly need never worry about rodents, except for the odd semi-dead rat drug in from down the hill at 3:00 AM. (Does it bother me they aren't quite dead? Not any more, they do die, terribly, I'm afraid; it is the possibility of fleas that cause me to preempt the torture, and execute and remove the critters. They are literally frozen "to death" with fear, you know: some kind of phenome or chemical she excretes, I'm told. I believe I would be scared, too, in their position).

Anyway, there she is now. Cheers!

[Rich-D]

An interesting and informative account on the Manx Breed of Cat! And an equally interesting personal story of your Manx Cat, Misha who appears to be a descendant of Royalty.

Rich

[rhtwist]

That was interesting and instructive. Thanks for sharing the information, beautiful cat you have there, also.
rhtwist

[A.B.]

Thanks, guys, I am proud of her picking me.

Another ability of hers is the back flip, something I have seen her do to frighten intruding cats. She lands a few inches closer to the other cat; I'm not at all sure other cats are "wired" for this manuever. It works. I would also note that the raccoons a neighbor used to feed have been gone for several years, since she trapped one under the deck. Her growling then--snarl, snap, spit--alarmed the neighbors, who thought a mountain lion was loose.

She also likes rain.

And buries her toys.

And reminds me of "Jack"
http://www.pets-r-great.org/forum/sh...?p=825#post825

Some Manx links:
http://www.manxbc.org/history.html
http://www.cfa.org/breeds/profiles/manx.html
http://www.manx--cats.com/manx_cats_photographs.htm
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/li.../l_063_03.html

[EnglishCat]

Misha is beautiful! I can see why she is so special to you. Your information was very informative as I have often wondered about their origin. Thank you. She sounds as though she loves her life. I particularly found it very "sweet" that they bond with only one person for life.

[A.B.]

You're most welcome.

Your avatar cat is adorable, BTW!

[Dogdollar]

Originally Posted by A.B.

..............This strikes me as nonsense, as refugees from the Armada are traditionally blamed for a great number of genetic variations in Great Britain.............