Harvey is known as Janus cat, which is a rare genetic mutation caused by excess protein production while in the womb. "It has one of everything except for the skull," said Dr. Tim Addis of Alley Cat Animal Rescue in Arkansas. Janus cats are extremely rare, with only a handful of known cases in the modern era.
The name of this type of cat is referred to as "feline chimera," and the cat's cells contain two separate types of DNA (cells from at least two different original embryos). Essentially, it's as if two twins who were not identical merged, creating a cat whose face has two different patterns.
Instagram: @gataquimera. As can be seen from popular photos a chimera cat is generally seen to be a cat with two different colour faces (split down the middle) and very often with heterochromia - two different colour eyes.
Janus cats are extremely rare, with only a few known cases in the modern era.
Cats with two faces are incredibly rare, and they usually die within days of being born. But the latest Janus cat, as they are known, is doing fine.
We believe Janus cats are born with two faces as a result of the kitten producing an excess of the protein Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) while in the womb. This protein plays a role in the formation of the skull and face during the embryonic stage of development. It is rare for a Janus kitten to survive.
1. Sokoke Cat. The Sokoke Cat is the rarest domestic cat breed in the world, according to the UK's Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF).
The phenomenon is not unheard of — it is a rare Janus cat, named after the Roman god Janus, who is depicted with two faces. Most Janus cats don't live longer than a day; however one Janus cat is known to have defied those odds: a cat named Frank and Louie lived 15 years until he died in 2014.
A rare kitten is born with two faces. Cat owner, Ariel Contreras, was surprised at her unique discovery when delivering a litter of kittens! Harvey is a new born kitten with two faces, caused by a genetic mutation as a result from an excess amount of protein in the womb.
Albino. We'll finish out our list of rare cat colors with the rarest of them all: albino. This is when there's no coloring at all, and it impacts not just a cat's fur, but also its eyes and skin.
Black cats have had a rough time compared to other cats. Through no fault of their own, black cats became known as the pets of witches a few centuries ago, and their bad reputation has created superstition and fear around them.
Oriental Shorthair (Dobby Cats) Oriental Cat Breeds. #Oriental: This breed looks and behaves like a Siamese but comes in two fur lengths and over 300 color combinations. Their personality is similar to the Siamese but they are quieter. #
The Lykoi (commonly called wolf cat or werewolf cat) is a natural mutation from a domestic short-haired cat. The mutation has occurred in domestic cats over the last 20 years. DNA testing has been done by UC Davis to confirm that the cats do not carry the Sphynx/Devon Rex gene.
Often called the smiling cat of France, the Chartreux has a sweet, smiling expression. This sturdy, powerful cat has a distinctive blue coat with a resilient wooly undercoat.
Those with flat faces and short noses are termed brachycephalic (the same term is used for dogs such as bulldogs and pugs), and the breeds most affected are Persians and Exotic Shorthairs. Sadly, this flat-faced look is directly linked to a number of health issues.
The word for cat in Chinese (mao) is a homophone for the word for octogenarian, and the word for butterfly (die) sounds the same as that for a septuagenarian. Thus the combination of the cat and butterflies here conveys the wish that the recipient might live a long life of seventy or eighty years.
Research published in the Journal of Vision examined the ability of 12 cats to recognize their human owners. Fifty-Four Percent of cats recognized their owners by sight alone, as cats do not recognize human faces.
Because their mouths turn upwards at the corners cats usually look like they are smiling. Of course there are the “grumpy cats” of the world, but in general a cat's most expressionless face will look a bit smiley.
Cats have a third eyelid to provide an added layer of protection and keep the eyes moist while still allowing them to see clearly. The nictitating membrane is not usually visible unless an infection or other underlying condition is present.
Did you know that your feline friend sleeps at least twice as much as you do? Of course, that's assuming you sleep an average of 6 and 8 hours a night. That's right – your cat would sleep between 13 and 16 hours every single day. Interestingly enough, about 2/3rds of their lifetime are spent snoozing.
The official record of the oldest living cat holder is a 35-year-old Burmese cat. Of course, most Burmese cats don't live that long. The average lifespan of Burmese cats is 18 to 25 years and that is certainly much longer than most cats.
Creme Puff (August 3, 1967 – August 6, 2005) was a mixed Tabby domestic cat, owned by Jake Perry of Austin, Texas, US. She was the oldest cat ever recorded, according to the 2010 edition of Guinness World Records, when she died aged 38 years and 3 days. Austin, Texas, U.S.
The prettiest cat in the world is likely the Skogkatt, called the Norwegian Forest in English-speaking countries. This large, rugged-looking breed is highly social, doing best inside a home and close to its human owners and other companion pets.