2018-12-05:
Polydactyl Cats

Usually, cats have 18 toes: five toes on each fore paw, and four on each hind paw. But then, there are polydactyl cats, which have more toes than that, with up to seven toes per paw. The recognized world record for the highest number of toes is 28.

The trait seems to be most widespread along the east coast of North America. It is not common in Europe, probably because the cats were associated with witchcraft and killed.

Polydactyl cats were valued on board of sailing ships for their extraordinary climbing and hunting abilities. Sailors also thought they brought good luck at sea.