Clevercoon s Rike 19 weeks. Distinctive feature Rike, undoubtedly, is extra toes on forward extremities, which you can notice at the first glance at  Polydactyl cat

The most of Americans do not know at all that Polydactyl cats were a significant part of Main Coons population (up to 40 %) and traditionally they were its integral part. The inhabitants of northeast of USA consider that Main Coons are original residents of this place, because till now dominant polydactyl gene has visible link to our present-day Main Coons. The constant minimum, inherited from first cats of this breed, is 25 % from general genetics. Great number of Main Coons is in Boston (around 12 %). In Europe you will see Polydactyl cat very rarely, because in Middle Ages each unusual cat was killed for reason of superstition (witchcraft) (Kelly, Larson, in 1993). … … … .

     The scientists assume, that direct descendant of these cats lived on trade ships and schooners. Soon they had found the way to Halifax, Yarmouth, Minneapolis and New Scotland. The families of the sea captains and vast trade, which they dealed, were the real reason of Polydactyl Main Coons breeding. Ships with wheat went around the world, sailed to China and back, carried bricks and wood to  Boston. On each vessel, whether it was large ship or small schooner, there  were ship cats. Polydactyl Main Coons were rather appreciated by the sea captains for their rare abilities to catch mice and rats.

Clevercoon` s Rike    8 we

Clevercoon` s Rike  13 weeks

They took cats to the ships as symbol, bringing good luck and protecting from troubles. Polydactyl Main Coons have extraordinary intelligence and more "human" in comparison with the usual cats, they differ in nature and habits.   Cats with multi-toes paws were observed in Clinic of Small animals at Aiova state university. The reason of research of these cats was the interest of extra toes. This distinctive feature is called Polydactyly. Nevertheless, the selectors are proud of their pets and propagandize their cultivation. This feature was mentioned in 1868 or may be earlier, but from this date the description of the multi toes fact is known. The distinctive feature, undoubtedly, can be noticed at the first glance at Polydactyl cat.

Each animal differs from each other by number of extra toes, and also by their constitutional structure. The usual cat has 5 toes on forward paws and 4 - on back. Polydactyl Main Coons, as a rule, has 1 or 2 extra toes on each paw. Their configuration is different. Variety in this aspect can be classified, probably; it can be up to 7 toes on 1 paw simultaneously.

Clevercoon` s Rike 7 days
You can see  1 extra toe on front paws.

Clevercoon` s Rike  11 weeks

In consequence of the mentioned distinction the cats cannot be called normal, as they are unusual by their nature. There are various cases of distinguish all animals from each other in this aspect.See«Genetics of Polydactyl Main Coons »  Considering various researches of Polydactyl Main Coons the scientists mentioned, that the dominant image of   heredity has influence to their nature direct or indirect way. It is necessary to say, that all various cases of Polydactyl cats are consequence of change of Polydactyl gene. This gene behaves differently, changes depending on area and time. It also explains distinction in an image of heredity

Polydactyly  is a feature caused by single dominant gene (its designation-Pd). More information about anatomic structure of polydactyl feature you can find in works of Denford, Chapmen, Zeiner (1961) (see  «Genetics characteristic  of Polidactyl gene in cats »

Possible effect of  gene is the prompting to changes of  forward and back extremities caused by surplus of growth in these places. Polydactyl gene shows itself at 40-50 of % of cases, and does not depend of animal sex. At the same time, it  is noticed, that  multitoed kitten will be born if at least one parent should have this feature. This gene has complete penetration, i.e. if the cat does not have extra toes, cat  is not carrier of gene...

1.03.09 Clevercoon`s Rike 16 weeks

Clevercoon` s Rike 19 weeks

The genetic changes occur very often in north to east from the USA. In the Boston area, for example, almost twelve percents of the cat population have this feature, somebody finds it beautiful, and others think it is ugly. Some breeders have made the own standard with the classification MCBFA. For more information you can read article MCBFA, (Marr, 1999, < http: // www.furkats.net/mcbfa.htm >). http://www.furkats.net/mcbfa.htm). From article it is clear, that the standard was specially developed for cats with extra toes … … … … However, in struggle for a recognition of Maine Coon breed it was excluded from the final version of the standard for a general recognition

Polydactyl Maine Coon is registered with various systems of USA - CFA, TICA, ACFA and CFF. They cannot pretend to the champion status, as the extra toes are considered as a deviation from the exhibition standard, but can be used in cultivation and can be exposed as home pets. On system TICA Polydactyl Maine Coon are exposing  as experimental breed (Preliminary New Traits), and in May of  2008 the Breeding Commission of TICA has recognized this feature as allowable and not bringing harm to health of  cat.

Clevercoon` s Rike  19 weeks-8.03.