What is Polydactyl Anomoly? A Look at the Hemingway Cats of Key West

No visit to Key West is complete without a trip to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum where polydactyl cats rule. Also called mitten toe or Bigfoot anomaly, these cats have something a little extra to share with visitors. The cats are all reported descendants of Ernest Hemingway's beloved six-toed tomcat given to him by a sea captain. Today about half of the resident cats share the polydactyl anomaly.

Polydactyl comes from a Greek term meaning "many digited." It is an anomaly found in several types of animals including dogs, but because of Ernest Hemingway, many have become familiar with the condition in cats. The genes which can cause the Polydactyl anomaly are incompletely dominant, and inbreeding can cause a higher occurrence in cat populations: especially feral where one tomcat typically breeds with an entire harem of females including their own offspring. There happens to be more than one gene which can cause this trait, which can vary in severity or differ by type.

Polydactyl cats can have an extra claw, extra toes, a combination of both, or even a super claw, which resembles two claws glued together. The anomaly may be as undetectable as a sixth claw on a front foot or quite a few extra toes, giving the cat a look of huge paws. Some polydactyl cats even have separated toe clusters, which give paws the appearance of mittens (hence, the term "mitten toed".) The proud record holder for the most toes verified and documented is an honor maintained by a Westlake, California kitty named Mickey Mouse who had thirty-two toes balanced eight to a foot, beloved by his owner, Mrs. Renee Delgade.

Polydactyl cats were considered by sailors, who often kept cats to maintain pest control aboard a seafaring vessel, to be good fortune. The extra toes served two reported purposes. One, it reportedly made the cats more capable of catching mice in their oversized clutches and two, the wider stance gave the cats better seafaring legs. On the contrary, sometimes, the spare toes can cause a bit of difficulty for the polydactyl cats. Maintenance for health is imperative.

The genetic mutation which causes polydactyl cats is also a reported culprit in another mutation, which can be far more serious than the presence of extra toes. This trait, which is a definite inbred deformity, is called the twisty cats trait. This trait is a birth defect that causes limitations in the cat's mobility, but the cats adapt. It is strongly felt in many breeding communities that the munchkin cat (selective breeding for a cat to be born with a dwarf limb mutation) and the twisty cat (selective breeding for radial hypoplasia) are examples of the actions of greedy, irresponsible breeders. Breeders who are working with polydactyl cats and Maine Coon cat, a breed known to produce polydactyl kittens, watch for signs of radial hypoplasia and take measures not to perpetuate this deformity in the pursuit of the almighty dollar, a deformity which takes some of the natural defense abilities away from the affected cat and could cause difficulty with ambulation depending on the level of mutation.

All polydactyl cats should have regular nail trimmings and all digits should be periodically checked for infections, damage, and growth problems to maintain health. In addition, all polydactyl cats should be responsibly spayed or neutered prior to maturity. Ingrown claws, ripped toes, infections, and tripping due to the claws getting caught on upholstery and carpet are common problems for polydactyl cats. It is, however, not a handicap to the cats.

As for Hemingway's cats, the Hemingway Home and Museum is home to around sixty. They are fed, maintained, and pampered by staff. Most of the Hemingway cats are spayed with a few allowed to breed to keep the colony going, and a veterinarian routinely cares for the colony. All Hemingway cats are vaccinated. All Hemingway cats at the Hemingway Home and Museum have names, and they are all loved. The home is set up like a museum and is still home to the cats among Hemingway's other treasures and trophies. Yes, the Hemingway cats all still drink from the urinal fountain in the gardens.

Admission into the Hemingway home and museum is $11 for an adult, $6 for a child, and children 5 and under are free. It is also available for Wedding rental. The museum is a National Historic Landmark open 365 days a year from 9:00 to 5:00. It is located at 907 Whitehead Street, Key West Florida, 33040. If you can't go and see the cats in person, they have a live kitty cam available to watch the cats run around the grounds.

Currently, the USDA has decided to again encroach on the cats, determining that the Hemingway cats are actually "on display" at the home. Opponents of the USDA's constant complaints feel that the Hemingway cats are targeted in the hopes of reaping unreasonable "per cat, per day" $200 a head fees the USDA plans to charge the home for not obtaining an Animal Welfare license. The Hemingway Home application for licensure has repeatedly been denied, an act which seems to reveal the USDA consideres the Hemingway Home a cash cow for which to obtain frivolous fees. This is yet another hoop in a line of complaints the USDA has countered against the Home, many say, in the attempt to make money. The property is completely fenced, the cats are well fed and cared for, and they are given regular vetrinary care. It seems the USDA would be better serving Florida by seeking out cat collectors who are inbreeding or kitty and puppy mill operations, not healthy cats who have been a Key West tradition since the 1930's.