polydactyly, explained
The Maine Coon Polydactyl is a pedigree Maine Coon with one notable difference: extra toes. Not a defect, but a charming piece of the breed's earliest history.
The Maine Coon Polydactyl is a pedigree Maine Coon with one notable difference: extra toes. A regular cat has five digits on the front paws and four on the back. A polydactyl cat can have up to seven per paw, with eight being a rare exception.
The type of polydactyly found in Maine Coons is called pre-axial. The extra digits appear on the inner side of the paw, at the thumb. This is not a defect. It was a common trait in the early foundation cats that would eventually become the Maine Coon breed, and it is completely harmless.
Completely harmless, and part of the breed from the very beginning.
How the trait expresses itself varies from cat to cat. Some have extra toes on the front paws only, some on all four. The number can differ from paw to paw. Most commonly you see it on both front paws or on all four. That last version is affectionately known among breeders as “four-wheel drive.”
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The website for anyone interested in knowing more about the Maine Coon Polydactyl and their remarkable history.
Read more at mcpolydactyl.com