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How Colonial Superstition Led To Cats With Double Paws Being Most Common In New England Today
Polydactyl cats are prevalent outside of Boston because how special they were considered during colonial days
For cat enthusiasts, felines with extra toes, also known as polydactyl cats, are especially coveted. These animals with the extra large mitts are an interesting variation to the cats that most of us know. Interestingly, data shows that polydactyls are more prevalent in New England than other parts of the country — but there is also a very good reason why.
On average, cats have a total of 18 toes, which includes four on each back paw and five on each front paw. Alternatively, polydactyls have an extra toe on each front paw, and in some instances they may have even more digits on their paws.
If it might seem that there are more double-pawed cats in New England, particularly the Boston area, than other parts of the country, that’s because there are. Actual studies have shown that polydactyls are more prevalent in and around Massachusetts’ largest city than other areas of the United States, but historians believe they know why that is.
In the 16th and 17th century, when Puritans and many other travelers were sailing to the newly…
