Who or what is polydactyl?

Polydactyly is the presence of more than the usual number of digits on any or all limbs. Polydactyl comes from the Greek words "polys" meaning "many" and "daktylos" meaning "fingers" or "toes". Polydactyl cats are sometimes called "mitten cats", "thumb cats", "six-finger cats", "Hemmingway cats" or "polycats" ;) .
Cats usually have 5 toes on each forepaw, and 4 on each hind paw. Poly- or hyperdactyl cats have more than the usual 18 digits on their paws. Polydactyly can be found in any breed of cat and the number and form of the extra toes can vary considerably. Polycats may only have one extra digit on one paw, or extra digits on all paws. It may be a complete extra toe or an extra dewclaw (rudimentary / undeveloped toe or thumb). Sometimes the extra digits go unnoticed and the owners aren´t aware that their cat is polydactyl. Front paws are more commonly affected, occasionally having up to 8 or even 10 digits. The back paws don't normally have more than 7 toes and it is very unusual for a cat to only have polydactyl back paws. The extra digits appear mostly on the thumb side of the limbs.

What causes Polydactyly ?


Polydactyly is a dominant trait produced by a natural genetic mutation. This means that a cat needs to inherit only one copy of this gene from either parent to have the trait. The dominant gene seems to express itself only 40% to 50% of the time. Reports of poly kittens from nonpoly parents suggest that the trait could be incomplete dominant. With an incomplete dominance there are different "levels" of the trait, allowing for cats with small, undetectable extra digits that are genetically passed from one generation to the next to at some time become noticeable again. The trait is not related to the sex of the cat (male or female) and is found in Britain, some parts of Europe and in Asia. Polydactyly is a condition seen in man as well as animals (cats, dogs etc).

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