Strange AnimalsThe Egyptian Mau is one of the few naturally spotted domestic cat breeds, and the CFA breed standard describes it as the only natural domesticated breed of spotted cat. The Bengal's spotting was developed through crosses with wild cats, while the Mau is a naturally spotted tabby breed.
The name says everything about the breed's historical claim: "Mau" is the Egyptian word for cat, and spotted cats appear in ancient Egyptian art. Whether the modern breed is a direct descendant of the cats of ancient Egypt is hard to establish.
The breed's modern history began in Italy in 1953, when Russian princess Nathalie Troubetskoy saw a cat belonging to the Egyptian ambassador to Italy and arranged to obtain a cat from Cairo. That cat, a female named Baba, became the foundation of the Western Egyptian Mau breed program.
From Ancient Egypt to Modern Breeding
The cats of ancient Egypt were not merely pets or pest controllers, they were sacred animals associated with the goddess Bastet, protected by law and mummified after death. The spotted domestic cat appears repeatedly in Egyptian art.
Whether a direct genetic line can be drawn from these cats to the modern Egyptian Mau is scientifically contested. A 2007 genetic study by Carlos Driscoll and colleagues found that cat domestication occurred in the Near East.
The modern breed's documented history begins with Princess Nathalie Troubetskoy, who obtained a cat from Cairo and began breeding in Italy. She brought three Maus to the United States in 1956. The breed received CFA recognition in 1977.
The Natural Spots
The Egyptian Mau's spots are the central visual feature and the most genetically interesting aspect of the breed. Unlike the Bengal, which was developed from crosses with wild cats, the Mau is a naturally spotted tabby breed.
The breed standard calls for torso markings that are randomly spotted, varying in size and shape. The spots should be distinct, with good contrast between the pale ground color and the deeper markings.
The base colors recognized in the CFA standard are silver (charcoal spots on silver), bronze (dark brown spots on bronze-toned ground), and smoke (dark spots visible through a lighter smoke coat). Each color has a characteristic "ground color" and the spots must show good contrast.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Toes | Five in front, four behind |
| Build | Medium, muscular |
| Head | Slightly rounded wedge |
| Eyes | Gooseberry green; amber tolerated only in young cats |
| Coat | Medium length; silky in smoke, dense and resilient in silver and bronze |
| Spots | Random spotting |
| Flap of skin | Loose flap from flank to hind knee |
| Hind legs | Proportionately longer than the front legs |
| CFA recognition | 1977 |
The Fastest Domestic Cat
The Egyptian Mau holds an extraordinary distinction: it is the fastest domestic cat breed. Maus have been reported running at more than 48 km/h, though the source for this figure is of uncertain reliability.
The proposed anatomical basis for this speed is a distinctive loose flap of skin that runs from the flank to the back of the hind knee. This skin fold is said to let the legs stretch back further, giving a longer stride. The Mau's longer hind legs are also thought to help.
The hind legs are proportionately longer than the forelimbs, which gives the breed the appearance of standing on tiptoe.
For jumping capabilities see How High Can Cats Jump. For intelligence information see How Smart Are Cats. For care guidance see Egyptian Mau Care Guide.
Temperament
The Egyptian Mau is an active, intelligent and somewhat independent cat with a personality that reflects its wild-appearing aesthetics. The breed is affectionate with its own family but can be reserved or cautious with strangers, a selectivity that reflects a more ancestral cat psychology than many of the more socially promiscuous modern breeds.
Within its trusted circle, the Mau is vocal, interactive and entertainingly engaged. The voice is distinctive, a chortling, chirping quality that differs from the standard meow and adds to the impression of a cat with something specific to communicate. The breed is known for "chattering" at birds seen through windows, a behavior also seen in other breeds but particularly pronounced in the Mau.
The activity level is high. Egyptian Maus need interactive play, climbing opportunities and mental stimulation. They hunt with extraordinary focus and will stalk, spring and capture toys with a precision and speed that demonstrates the breed's predatory heritage.
Health Profile
| Health Concern | Details | Management |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) | Reported in breed | Echocardiogram screening |
| Leukodystrophy | Rare hereditary neurological condition | Veterinary investigation if signs appear |
| Environmental sensitivity | Can be cold-sensitive | Indoor management; warmth |
| Dental disease | Common with age | Regular dental care |
A hereditary leukodystrophy, a neurological condition affecting the white matter of the brain and spinal cord, has been reported in some Egyptian Mau lines in Europe. This condition is rare, but it warrants mention in complete breed health discussions.
For comparison with another spotted breed see Bengal Cat and Abyssinian.
Frequently asked questions
Spotted cats appear in ancient Egyptian art, and the breed’s name comes from the Egyptian word for cat. A 2007 genetic study by Driscoll and colleagues found that cat domestication occurred in the Near East. A direct genetic lineage between ancient Egyptian cats and the modern breed is hard to establish.
The Egyptian Mau is described as the fastest domestic cat. It has a loose fold of skin running from the flank to the hind knee, and its hind legs are proportionately longer than its front legs. These features are thought to allow a longer stride. Maus have been reported running at more than 48 km/h, though the source for that figure is of uncertain reliability.
The Egyptian Mau is a naturally spotted tabby breed, with random spots of varying size and shape. The Bengal’s spotting was developed through crosses with wild cats.
CFA recognizes three Egyptian Mau colors: silver (charcoal markings on a pale silver ground), bronze (dark brown-black markings on a warm bronze ground), and smoke (jet black markings on a pale silver ground with all hairs tipped in black). The standard calls for random, distinct spotting and gooseberry green eyes.
Egyptian Maus suit active households that can engage with them. They are affectionate with their own family, playful and interactive, but they tend to be selective with strangers. A high activity level and strong hunting drive mean they need interactive play and enrichment.
The modern breed’s Western history begins in Italy in 1953, when Russian princess Nathalie Troubetskoy saw a cat belonging to the Egyptian ambassador and arranged to obtain a cat named Baba from Cairo. She brought three Maus to the United States in 1956. The breed received CFA recognition in 1977.
References
- Driscoll, C.A., et al. "The Near Eastern origin of cat domestication." Science, 2007. View source
- Turner, D.C. and Bateson, P. (eds.) The Domestic Cat: The Biology of Its Behaviour, 3rd edition. Cambridge University Press, 2013. ISBN 978-1107015968.
- Ottoni, C., et al. "The palaeogenetics of cat dispersal in the ancient world." Nature Ecology and Evolution, 2017. View source
- Cat Fanciers' Association. "Egyptian Mau Breed Standard." CFA.org, 2023. View source
- Lyons, L.A., et al. "Whole genome sequencing in cats, for variant discovery, and Mendelian trait analysis." Scientific Data, 2016.