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Mutant-cat lives in Samara!

By Anna MAKHOVA, "Reporter" dtd 25.12.11

Samba has 14 toes on front paws and nine on hind ones

Sambita

There are only a few such cats in Russia, and in Samara - only one of a kind. Besides uncommon paws the cat is extremely intelligent. She understands her master perfectly, obeys various commands, and also likes bathing.

Two years back chief editor of Russian Radio in Samara Ms Olga Kardashevskaya even didn't know such animals exist. Moving to new apartment she decided to take a cat that should cross the house porch first. As a result she made her choice in favour of the largest cat breed - maine coon.

- I've bought a red male-kitten and was pretty happy, - says Olga. - Joker is a smart, calm and unobtrusive cat.

One "tail" seemed to be insufficient to the lady. Olga found out that besides standard maine coons there are exist polydactyl maine coon (from the Greek "poly" - "many", "dactylos" - "toes"). Meaning, they have more toes than their congeners. These cats originate from the North-East of the USA. It is thought that the Nature granted them extra toes to help them surviving in severe ambient conditions. Winter time cats move using their enormous paws as snow-shoes avoiding thus sinking into deep snow. By the legend, when food stocks were scarce maine coons caught fish in streams and brought to their masters.

- Polydactyl cats were treasured by sailors for their superior skills in catching rats and mice, - Olga says. - On board they were favourite pets and considered a good luck sign.

Olga came in touch with Moscow cattery where such cats were available (polydactyl maine coon costs over 1000 euro) and ... was put on waiting list. Only in a year she got long awaited pet.

Samba has by seven toes on front paws. And five on left hind - though common cats have by four toes on hind paws.

According to Olga, polydactyl maine coons are very smart creatures. Samba answers her name only, call her "pus-pus" is useless. She brings a toy like a dog, and is fond of water unlike her congeners.

- As soon as you start water in the bathroom she rushes nearly knocking me down and jumps into bath, - Olga tells.

By Olga's evidence, Samba loves bathing and even tries to dive. No wonder this breed inspire interest in scientists. Recently to Olga approached Dr. Axel Lange (Vienna University, Theoretical Biology Department) writing a paper about polydactyl maine coons. He asked Olga to send to him X-rays of Samba's paws. Most often such "subnormal" animals have six toes on front "foot", but Samba has the whole seven!