Thursday, November 30, 2006

Thursday Thirteen

Thursday Thirteen
#1 - Thirteen Things About Sphynx
  1. Sphynx are a naturally hairless breed of cats. We are born this way.
  2. Sphynx are not always totally hairless; we can have fine down on the body. Some light hair is often present on the nose, tail and toes. I am hairless except on the bridge of my nose.
  3. Sphynx have no whiskers, or very short whiskers. I have tiny, short whiskers that curl.
  4. Sphynx get cold only if it is cold enough for a human to also be cold. If a human needs a sweater, chances are we need one too, although we're also happy to find a warm human to curl up with (or another cat or even a dog if they are around).
  5. Sphynx are friendly, extremely inquisitive and love to be the center of attention.
  6. Because of the lack of hair that would normally absorb body oils, Sphynx need to be bathed periodically.
  7. Sphynx eyes are ears need to be cleaned as well, since we lack hair in our ears, and so ear wax builds up more quickly, and we lack eyelashes, so dirt builds up more quickly in the corners of our eyes.
  8. We Sphynx have a very high natural metabolism. Because of our higher metabolism, we eat more and more often than "regular cats" do, and we need to be fed very high quality pet food. Our bodies have to work harder than that of other cats to keep ourselves warm, since we lack fur.
  9. Some people who suffer from cat allergies can tolerate living with Sphynx cats. However, depending on the type and severity of the individual's allergic reactions, there are still people who cannot live with this breed. My human dad is allergic to cats, but he can tolerate Sphynx without any problems.
  10. In 1966 a domestic cat gave birth to a hairless kitten in Toronto, Canada. It was discovered to be a natural mutation and the Sphynx cat, as we know it today, came into existence.
  11. Cat breeders in Europe and North America have bred the Sphynx to normal coated cats and then back to hairless for more than thirty years. The purpose of these selective breedings was to create a genetically sound cat with a large gene pool and hybrid vigor.
  12. Sphynx hairlessness is produced by an allele of the same gene that produces the Devon Rex, which has only one of the usual two fur coats. The Sphynx allele is incompletely dominant over the Devon allele; both are recessive to the wild type.
  13. The most famous Sphynx is, of course, Mr. Bigglesworth, Dr. Evil's cat in the Austin Powers movies. Contrary to what some people believe, they did not shave a poor cat for the movie. They used a Sphynx! The cat who played Mr. Bigglesworth is a Sphynx named SGC Belfry Ted Nude-gent.
Do you have any questions about Sphynx cats? If you do, ask your question when you leave your comment, and I'll answer your questions in next week's Thursday Thirteen. If you have any questions about ME, you can ask them too!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

22 comments

Girlie said...

Wow! I am first. I like this cat, very pretty. Did you use to have another site because I thought I remember the name, but this blog seems new. :)
I know, nosy.

K said...

Lots of interesting facts!

I was wondering if you got cold when I saw the other Thurs. Thirteen post with all your pictures. I'm just glad to know that you have sweaters to put on when it gets chilly.

You sound, and look, like a really great cat! Glad to have met you!!

Have a great Thursday! :)

Barb said...

Lovely kitty! Happy TT :)

Nathalie said...

Well Sphynx, you're very very cute!

MaR said...

Thanks for such an informative post! I know very little about cats but I think whiskers play an important role in a cat's life (correct me if I am wrong). If you don't have any or they are very short, are you lacking some sensitivity "furry" cats have???
(this may be a very dumb question but I wonder, I am curious!)

Chaotic Mom said...

The sphinx came from CANADA? I had a friend who owned one. Funny cat. ;)

Tink said...

Nice to meet you, Dragonheart! I knew about Sphynx cats, but not all you mentioned.
Thanks for visiting my TT with Caylynn!

Zeus said...

This was something else! I had no idea about any of these facts. I had always wondered how the Sphynx came into existence so I particularly enjoyed the little nugget of knowledge pertaining to the hairless kitten in Toronto.

Happy Thursday to you!

Anonymous said...

Dragonheart, your comment about the Rex cat tickles something in the back of my mind. Can't some people even tolerate Rex cats when they are allergic? Perhaps it's genetic?

Anonymous said...

I have kitty cats too, though nothing as exotic as a Sphynx.

My favorite breeds are Tonkinese, Abysinnian and Maine Coon. I don't have any of those cats but I've had positive interactions with those breeds.

My 13 are up.

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Hey, cool! I own two Devons, so I know whereof you speak, in terms of imps and being the center of attention and can you tell I'm writing this while looking through the body of one of mine? *grin*

Happy TT; I'll have to come back and visit more often.

Kukka-Maria said...

I learned a lot about the Sphynx breed from your list today!

One thing that confused me, though: I thought you were the most famous Sphynx...not Mr. Bigglesworth!

The Meezers or Billy said...

that was great and we learned lots. I wants to be a spinx 'acause then I can eat more. - Miles

Anonymous said...

Very cool-welcome to the TT! :)

Anonymous said...

Do Sphynx cats clean themselves like other cats? I ask this question since you mention that you have weekly baths.

Gattina said...

Draggie (sorry if you don't like it I won't do it again) you become a real star ! You know once on a cat exposition I held a quite big sphinx in my arms ! She was very heavy but slim and was the mummy to all the babies laying or playing in a wonderful pink "Barby" outfitted cage ! Mrs Sphinx wear a beautiful red "necklace" with diamonds ! Can you believe that ? But she of course were a girl. I think blue fits very well to your skin, your mummy has a good taste !

Rascal said...

Great Thursdat 13. Very informative.

Jack, Persephone, Tenzing and Lancelot said...

Toronto! I was born there! But I'm definitely not hairless. In fact one of my littermates was a long haired cat! I look Burmese (or maybe Bombay-I'm not sure) But my other brothers and my mom are all tuxies, so I think my mom was a lady-cat of easy virtue.

It's very nice to meet you Dragonheart! I really like your name!

The Crew said...

Very educational, Dragonheart. However, you resemble a chihuahua dog in your picture. No offense intended, guy, since you're still quite handsome.

George

Toffee K. Ripple Fuzzypants & Feline American Angels said...

I've never met a Sphinx before, Dragonheart. So you are my FIRST! And I must say, meeowwww. You are furry attractive (in a very un-furry way, of course).
DaisyMae Maus

Anonymous said...

hehe happy cat :D

Anonymous said...

I love cats, but this one is very very sweety.