Babies With Cats the Fattest Person in the World Ever

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Information technology's long been a running joke in the Britannica offices that we should compile a list of "best cats"—this is the internet, after all. Two intrepid and cat-crazy editors accept finally taken on this task for your enjoyment. Subsequently much considered debate, we nowadays you a definitive list of all-time cats, according to us.

Polydactyl

polydactyl cat© ckellyphoto/Fotolia

Let's be real, polydactyl cats give the best high-fives. Errr, high-sixes. Also known as "mitten cats" or "pollex cats," polydactyls accept a genetic mutation that gives them more than than the usual number of toes on one or more feet. Polydactyl cats can have anywhere from six to 8 toes per paw. The extra toes sometimes make them look like their paws accept thumbs. While polydactyly can happen in many unlike animals (including humans), information technology'southward arguably cutest in cats. Writer Ernest Hemingway certainly thought and then—he himself was a polydactyl owner, and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is now dwelling to some 50 polydactyl cats.
Snowshoe

Snowshoe cat© January Southward. /Shutterstock.com

With its white cage and feet, dark "points," and blue optics, the Snowshoe looks like what it was bred from: a Siamese with white "boots" that turned up in the litter of a Siamese breeder in Philadelphia in the 1960s. The particular Snowshoe look is difficult to breed, then registered purebred Snowshoe cats are rare. But there are many cats in shelters who have some or all of its traits, such as the white paws, night mask, and beautiful blue optics—so if you're interested in this kind of cat, yous can always become "the expect for less."
Calico

Ali's true cat, MJAlison Eldridge

It is impossible to clone a calico cat with the aforementioned markings, because of the random activation of genes. The necessary traits for calico patterning are on the Ten-chromosome, therefore well-nigh all calico cats are female person. Male calico cats are few and far between, and can simply exist as a result of genetic defect.
British Shorthair

British shorthair© ZStoimenov/Fotolia

The British Shorthair is known for both its looks and its typically easygoing and fun-loving personality. The appealing chunkiness of its face up and body and its plush, thick fur match its sturdy temperament. The wide-cheeked faces of British Shorthairs announced to be smiling and more expressive than many cat breeds', and information technology's said that they were the inspiration for the wide-smiling Cheshire Cat of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. British Shorthairs are reputed to be doglike in their readiness for fun and games, such as fetching.
Siamese

Siamese catJohn Gajda/Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Who tin can resist the Siamese cat's pretty blue eyes? These cats have been valued for their unique patterning and outspoken personalities for centuries. Long a status symbol, Siamese cats take been given to dignitaries every bit gifts. They made their U.Due south. debut in 1878 when one was given to President Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife by an American consul. These cats are especially known as being very song—their loud meows are sometimes mistaken for babies crying!
Norwegian Woods True cat

Norwegian Forest cat, silverish patched tabby.
© Marc Henrie

If you like hugging a cat who's a big armload of fur and tin take what you dish out, and then the Norwegian Forest True cat is for yous. A large cat with large paws and lots of fur, the Norwegian is similar a Maine Coon true cat'southward Viking cousin. The big, muscular, affectionate, and calm Norwegian has a dumbo and water-resistant double coat and tufted toes and ears, making it the perfect companion for snowshoeing, raiding neighboring countries, and standing atop the dragon head on the prow of a Viking send.
Japanese Bobtail

Japanese Bobtail, mi-ke (tricolour).
© Chanan Photography

Japanese Bobtails are like cats on the front end and rabbits on the dorsum end. Merely let that sink in for a infinitesimal. It'south well-nigh also cute to handle. Kitties with bunny tails? Sign me up. These adorable critters are native to Japan, and have been effectually long enough to score appearances in traditional art. Unlike well-nigh dogs with "docked" tails, Japanese Bobtails come by their chubby tails naturally. The genetic mutation that causes the tail reduces the number of vertebrae present. And did I mention they like to play fetch?
Persian

Persian true catAdstockRF

Fur, fur, fur. The Persians (called Longhairs exterior the U.S.) are possibly the quintessential "luxury" cat—that is, the cat who expects to be kept in the lap of luxury. They are, however, the most pop cat breed in the globe. Although they are known for the pushed-in "Pekingese" olfactory organ that many are bred for, arguably the best part of these cats is their pettability. All that fur needs a lot of daily grooming, nonetheless, and Persians are prone to kidney illness, so they need frequent ultrasounds.
Scottish Fold

Scottish Fold catPsihopat

While his ears are relatively straight, cyberspace sensation Maru is a Scottish Fold, a breed of cat usually characterized by ears that fold forward and downwards. The get-go Scottish Fold was a barn cat discovered in 1961. For show, Scottish Folds are required to have the turned-downwards ears—simply these are a result of a genetic mutation, so non all purebred Scottish Folds have them.
Grayness Tabby

Lorraine'south erstwhile cat, Lucy© Lorraine Murray

The proper noun "grey tabby" describes non a breed but a coat color and pattern. The sporty looks of the grey tabby are peerless. Classic tabbies tin, of form, exist bred, but part of the fun of cats is in the genetic rock-tumbler that produces random combinations of coloration and patterns. The classic tabby markings are stripes and whorls all over the head, limbs, trunk, and tail, but mixed-breed tabbies tin have "dilute" or broken patterns and, quite often, white chests, undersides and/or paws. The latter is an especially fetching combination and never more adorable than when the cat's fur is predominantly grey; it's an understated, neutral look that goes with practically everything—peculiarly a pink nose and a loving personality.