If you are a cat lover and you have the opportunity to see a polydactyle Maine Coon, the first you will notice are the big paws that give you the impression of mittens. This is caused by double dew claws. Cats normally have 18 toes: four toes and a dew claw on each front foot and four toes on each back foot. Polydactylism, as the trait is called, is a genetic mutation and causes the growing of more than the common amount of toes.

Each living thing was provided from Mother Nature with distinct characteristics for its species. If there was need of more than the given characteristics for surviving the conformity came through genetic mutation. In cats there were mutations f.e. the longhairgene; the classic pattern; the sexlinked colour red; the solid colour; the piebold spotting and last but not least the dilution, which makes the colours blue and cream possible. All these mutations caused that animals of a distinct region could better survive due to better camouflage or better physical equipment.

Polydactyle cats first time were mentioned in mid 1600 in the Boston area. Sailors believed that sixtoed cats were lucky and that they were the best mousers. Many of the legends around the Maine Coon cat that seem somewhat exaggerated win sense and meaningfulness if you see it from the viewpoint of polydactyle Maine cats.

However, polydactylism is not a physical trait that exclusively affect cats, especially Maine Coons. It can occure everywhere and in every live beeing. In Norway there is a pedigreed breed of dogs called the Lundehund that is a polydactyle. This breed is known from the 15 th century. The dog was used to catch puffins ("Lunde"). These penguin sized birds nest in tunnels in the rocky cliffs. The sixtoed dogs were able to climb the rocky cliffs and were more adapt at digging in the tunnels. In humen polydactylism is not unknown, too. Did you know that Marilyn Monroe was a polydactile? She had six toes. There lives a famous american basketball player who is polydactyle, and recently a pic ran around the world of a polydactile baby boy who was born in China.

Polydactylism is not a malformation or a deformity as it is maintained very often. It causes wether pain nor leeds to handicap nor is it a letal trait. On the contrary - polydactyle specimen, either humen or animals, reap the benefit of their additional fingers and toes. It's not a secret that polydactyle Maine Coons are considerable more deft and nimble than their smallfooted sisters and brothers. They are skilful climber, considerable more brave and absolute gifted hunters. Prey, once caught, never escape from these paws because of being completely grasped.