The Manx is a unique breed of cat that dates back a few hundred years and is known for its naturally occurring mutation of the spine. This anomaly results in a shortening of the tail within a range of lengths. Sometimes the tails can be of normal length or a stub, but most of the time it’s simply not there at all! The cat appears to be rounded in shape due to the arch created by the fact that the hind legs are generally longer than the front legs. Originating on the Isle of Man, their name in Manx language is “kayt Manninagh”. It is not known exactly how this mutation originated but some scientists theorize that once the tailless gene was introduced on the island, it became concentrated in this genetically isolated population.
The Manx cat is known in the legends of yesteryear, one of which involves Noah and his famous ark. It claims that Noah himself caused the breed to be tailless by closing the door to the ark as the cat was entering, cutting off the tail. Still another tale speaks of cats mating with rabbits and their offspring resulting in the Manx cat aka the cabbit. This is because these cats appear to run in the same manner as rabbits.
Whatever the story, in order for a cat to be considered a Manx, there must be an unbroken line in its ancestry from the Isle of Mann. Thus a randomly bred cat without a tail is a “domestic tailless”. The Manx breed is highly intelligent and playful, making it an ideal pet for families with children. It is almost like a dog when it comes to exercise and play, as it loves to fetch small objects the way a puppy would. Many Manx like water and will often amuse themselves with it, making them easy to bathe. T hey are usually quiet animals, but if you have more than one Manx living in your house, you will probably notice them chasing each other often.
The Isle of Man has adopted the Manx as a symbol of its native origins and their images appear on currency, coins and stamps.
Do YOU own a Manx cat? Please share your experiences.