Why do some cats have more fingers than others?

Answer 1

Polydactyls have more fingers than the normal cat. They can use these fingers as thumbs and open latches and twist door knobs.
Most cats have 5 digits on each front paw and 4 digits on each paw on the back. Polys will have at least one more and often several.

Known at the *Hemmingway Cat* / *The Mitten Kittens* / and known to be more intelligent and loveable.. A much sought after cat selling upwards of $200.

Answer 2

Animal Description:

How many toes can a cat have on one foot? Some American Polydactyl Cats have up to seven. Perhaps the most famous American Polydactyl Cats were those Ernest Hemingway wrote about, and as a result this breed is sometimes known as the Hemingway Cat or Mitten Cat.

In personality and care requirements, American Polydactyl Cats are much like any other cat. Many owners have made the observation, however, that their American Polydactyl cats seem to have a more relaxed and mellow personality than other cats they have owned. These cats are quite hardy and can survive even in snowy weather. American Polydactyl Cats adapt very well to indoor or outdoor life, or a combination of the two. They make outgoing pets, and are reported to be affectionate and patient even towards children.

For the rest of the info go to:
http://www.centralpets.com/animals/mammals/cats/cat5776.html

Good luck!

Answer 3

heredity. If Mom & Dadcat have extra toes it is more likely that the kittens will have extra toes. It's the kind of mutation that won't be selected against now that cats live with humans. In fact some people think these cats are cute and try to breed them.
Here is more information than you will ever need.
http://www.messybeast.com/poly-cats.html#genes
In America we have what is called a "founders effect." The early English colonists brought over a large number of 6 toed cats so we have more of them than some other places.
I don't care for the big foot look myself, but if the cat is a house cat, i guess it doesn't matter

Answer 4

Polydactyly, or extra digits, is a common trait among cats, particularly it seems, among Celtic cats and cats on part of America's Eastern coast and South West Britain. This distribution may well be linked. Polydactyly is not a product of bad breeding. It is simply a naturally occurring genetic variation. Many Mitten Cats do indeed have a lot of extra dexterity.

Answer 5

Sometimes the mama cat has had to many litters of kittens or the cats are inbred and some breeds have x tra toes.

Answer 6

Maybe because they are different breeds of cats

Answer 7

It's a mutation that's actually more common than people think....