Why Does A Manx Cat Have No Tail?

Does anyone know why a Manx cat has no tail. Is it in the genes or what?

13 Comments so far

  1. Yogi on August 30th, 2009

    yeah

  2. Chrissy on August 30th, 2009

    Actually the Manx can have a full tail and often does. It is not the tail or lack of tail that determines a Manx cat from another. There are several physical attributes that are noticeable such as the taller hind quarters than the standard cat. Very round feet and broad chest in addition to the ears. Manx ears are placed wide on the side of the head as opposed to the top of the head as most cats. Also note that the genetic mutation of taillessness is actually in nearly all breeds of cats just more prevalent in the Manx. The three tail types outside of full tail are the Rumpy (no tail at all missing last vertebrae in most cases) the Rumpy Riser (this will have a very short nub that when stroked down shows no indication of a tail) and the Bob tail (which is generally only couple of inches in length on average).
    Hope this helps clarify some of your questions.
    just one more note, just because a cat does not have a tail in no way indicates it is a Manx. All the other attributes need to be first confirmed with the obvious being hindquarters roughly 2 to 3 inches taller than the shoulders.

  3. ldr5455 on August 30th, 2009

    one of those strange science things ??

  4. pinky on August 30th, 2009

    I don’t know but I don’t like them! It’s like only having half a cat..

  5. Geaux LSU Tigers!!! on August 30th, 2009

    Yes, it is genetic and doesn’t happen only in pure-bred cats. Actually there are three types of “tailless” cats depending on how much of a tail they have. The three types have names and maybe someone here call tell you what they are.

  6. old cat lady on August 30th, 2009

    This will tell you about the Manx cat:http://www.scattycats.com/Manx.html

  7. anwen55 on August 31st, 2009

    Actually its a genetic mutation but there are a lot of stories. Some believe the Manx cat resulted from a cat mating with a hare, the result is a Cabbit. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manx_%28cat…

  8. halsca on August 31st, 2009

    Genetic

  9. BRIDGE on August 31st, 2009

    Yep, in the genes. It’s a cat breed and its bred to not have a tail.

  10. Bozema on August 31st, 2009

    this breed resulted from a spontaneous mutation that eliminated the vertebrae that form the tail. The origins are uncertain. manx litters are usually small, some come with out tails, others with tails varying from small knobs to stubby or shortened tails.The true show manx is tailless and known as a rumpy.the popularity of the manx in britain has declined, but they are still shown in the USA.

  11. gypsy woo on August 31st, 2009

    yes it is i have one they are born with out a tail

  12. nicnocj on August 31st, 2009

    It’s the same as Manx man with three legs (I had a third leg once…..)

  13. jodie399 on August 31st, 2009

    The Manx will tell you it’s because it’s tail was caught in the ferry door as it was being closed as well as other stories! There are as someone said 3 types, there are rumpies, stumpies and true Manx (no tail at all, and hind legs like a hare!).

Leave a reply