Manx: the secrets of the cat without a tail

2023 Author: Alex Livingston | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 11:39

That of the cat Manx, named after the British Isle of Man from which it comes, is a breed with mysterious origins. And even more mysterious is its most evident and recognizable physical characteristic, which makes it so famous: the absence of tail, or at least a complete tail. Various causes have been attributed to this particularity over time, some of which are real legends. We talk about it in this article.

Let's start with one scientific basis now confirmed: hundreds of years ago, when these cats inhabited only their small island and were not widespread in the rest of the world, they underwent a genetic mutation that generated cats without a tail (or part of it).

It's about a spontaneous mutation, probably caused by generations and generations of endogamy on an island where the feline population was not only quite small but with very little variegated genetic heritage.

It is also a different type of mutation than that of American or Japanese Bobtails, which also have a "sketchy" tail compared to other cats. In their case the gene responsible for the mutation is recessive, while in Manx it is dominant.

Before science came to us to finally make sense of this once inexplicable phenomenon, there were numerous (and certainly more fascinating) legends that concerned this breed of cats, telling of the possible origins and the appearance of this bizarre physical detail.

As for the arrival of cats on the Isle of Man, one of the oldest local tales tells of how in the eighteenth century two Spanish galleons sank in its vicinity, taking the cargo and most of the crew away with them. However, there were also numerous cats on board, all of the Rumpy type (variety of Manx completely devoid of tail), who managed to save themselves by laboriously heading to the nearest shore of Man. And it is precisely here that they gave rise to the first feline colony of the island.

Obviously, however, it is the appearance of these felines that has aroused the most curiosity and generated various legends and interpretations. The oldest of all dates back and is set even during the Great Flood: while Noah called to him the animals destined to enter the Ark, the cat Manx was busy hunting a mouse, which he intended to take with him as a delicious snack for the journey.

It was only by a miracle, the legend still says, that when the Flood had already begun Noah felt the desperate request for help from the cat, who after risking drowning (this also explains why these animals would be afraid of water) managed to sneak into the Ark. The door closed, however, while he was still entering, cutting off his tail.

There is also another version of this myth, according to which it would have been a dog to bite off his tail out of spite once he got on the Ark. The poor cat, in response, would swim to the Isle of Man to settle there permanently.

According to a myth of Celtic origin, however, the first Manx in the world was previously a legendary enchanted sow named Henwen that to escape the wrath of King Arthur turned into a cat, but its tail was shortened like that of a pig.