I know Hemmingway thought that 6-toed cats were lucky, so what are 7-toed cats?
I ask because I just got a beautifull kitten with 7 toes on both his front paws and want to find any meaning/superstition regarding it so I can come up with a suitable name for him.
2006-07-24 09:57:58 · 20 answers · asked by Delphie 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
In response to the pesky wabbit: if I was looking for a theological debate or opinion I would have posted on those boards, and just because you are christian does NOT mean that I am, I was raised pagan so I know about the familiars. I was wondering mainly if there were any tales or quips regarding 7-toed cats like there are with 6-toed cats. Your opinion is appreciated, but inappropriate in regards to my question.
2006-07-25 19:41:40 · update #1
Polydactyl cats are known by various names - "mitten cats", "thumb cats", "six-finger cats" and "Hemingway cats". The latter is because of writer Ernest Hemingway who made his home on the small island of Key West, Florida. He shared the island with nearly 50 cats, including a 6-toed polydactyl given to him by a ship captain; the cats bred and the polydactyl trait became common, hence polydactyls are often known as "Hemingway Cats". Hemingway's colony of cats was free-breeding with the local cat population and the ratio of polydactyl cats to normal-toes cats was about 50/50. Another story suggests that the cat given to Hemingway was a female double-pawed cat and that the polydactyl cats on the island came from 19th Century ships' cats. The high rate of polydactyl cats in Boston, USA has also led to the nickname "Boston Thumb Cats". The nickname "double-pawed" cats is a misnomer since there is a specific double paw condition.
Polydactyly itself is also known as hyperdactyly or supernumary digits and occurs in many animals (including humans) as a spontaneous mutation or hereditary trait. The mode of inheritance - dominant or recessive - varies between species.
Polydactyl cats were considered "lucky" by sailors. Sailors also believed polydactyl cats to be superior mousers and ratters. Employed as ships' ratters and lucky mascots, they would have reached America with early British settlers hence their greater frequency in Eastern states. A disproportionately high number of "lucky" polydactyl cats, compared to normal-toed cats, would have found their way there. This would lead to a greater proportion of polydactyls than usual for a random-breeding cat population. Back in Britain, with its large cat population of which the polydactyl formed only a small part, the trait remained less common (though there have been localised pockets of higher than average incidence). There is a higher incidence of polydactyly in South-West England, possibly associated with ports from which ships set sail for the New World.
2006-08-01 03:45:09 · answer #1 · answered by iceni 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you believed in superstitions, you wouldn't own cats at all. The legend passed down for centuries is that cats will steal away the breath of children and young people. Of course, we know that all superstitions and "charms" are wrong and a form of sorcery, which is a sin. So, just love your kitten and find joy in the fact that God made that animal just a bit different.
2006-07-24 10:01:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even luckier. 7 toes mean better acrobatic skills.7 is lucky enough, and 7 toes for a cat is like Bruce Lee having 3 legs or 3 arms. Even better.
Lucky should be the Cat's name.
2006-07-24 10:26:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Frequently BAD luck for the cats, since many owners do not care for the extra claws well and they will curl around and grow into the pad. Not very lucky!!!!!!!!!!
2006-07-24 10:00:38 · answer #4 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard of one but am interested in meanings or superstitions. Maybe they are extra lucky?
2006-07-24 10:01:29 · answer #5 · answered by ~*~*~*Jenny Anne~*~*~* 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that you have a freak cat. AWESOME!!! I have a three legged cat. Take care of those extra claws.
2006-07-24 10:02:07 · answer #6 · answered by AC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Means he can count to 14.
2006-07-24 10:01:17 · answer #7 · answered by Raymond 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get rid of the cat.
2006-08-01 06:52:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
More toes=more luck.
Here is a lot of info on extra toes (polydactyl):
http://www.messybeast.com/poly-cats.html
General cat stuff:
http://www.barfwader.com/catfactsmain.htm
Some more pet and cat info:
http://www.sniksnak.com/index2.html
2006-07-24 09:59:00 · answer #9 · answered by Evilest_Wendy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are commonly known as mitten kittens, and I think you should name him something accordingly like Seven
2006-08-01 08:18:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋