Unique in nature: the top of the most ancient cat breeds

Some cat breeds have existed for thousands of years, preserving their uniqueness and heritage. It is hard to imagine modern life without these graceful animals, as they were domesticated 12 thousand years ago. Today, more than two hundred breeds are officially registered in the world, but there are some that have particularly ancient roots.

Egyptian Mau

This breed is considered one of the oldest in the world. It is believed that its ancestors were found in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs. The peculiarity of these cats is natural spots on their fur, which can be seen even on ancient frescoes and papyri dating back to 1550 BC .

Norwegian Forest cat

This breed has been known since the Vikings, who probably brought it on their ships from Britain or brought long-haired cats during the Crusades. They are distinguished by their thick coat, which helps them survive the harsh Scandinavian winters.

Siamese cat

The origin of this breed remains a mystery. There is a version that Siamese were bred in the royal courts of Siam (modern Thailand) or by Buddhist monks. An ancient Thai manuscript from the 14th century mentions a cat similar to the modern Siamese, which confirms the antiquity of this breed.

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Turkish Angora

This cat comes from the mountainous regions of Turkey, where its luxurious coat has become an adaptation to the cold climate. It was first officially recorded in France in the 17th century. It has been suggested that the Angora may be a descendant of wild cats tamed by the Tatars.

Maine Coon

The popular "gentle giants" of the feline world have ancient roots. They probably descended from Norwegian forest cats brought to America by Vikings or European sailors in the 18th century. Genetic studies confirm their ancestry, which is related to ancient European breeds.

Chartreuse

This gray cat was mentioned as early as 1558 in a French poem by Joachim du Bellay. According to one version, its ancestors came to France with the Crusaders or merchants from the Middle East. In the XIII century, the Cartesian monks continued breeding Chartres in the Grand Chartres monastery, which gave the breed its name.

These breeds have passed through the centuries, preserving their unique appearance and character, which makes them real living legends.

Earlier, we talked about the top dog breeds that don't get along with children.

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