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Towser, a tortoiseshell tabby, is said to have eliminated 28,899 mice over two decades. Explore more feline images.Cat enthusiasts often go above and beyond for their pets, capturing their moments, sharing tales, and pampering them with gourmet meals. To a cat lover, every feline is extraordinary, but some cats stand out due to their remarkable accomplishments or unique traits.
1. Cat Most in Need of a Babysitter: Bluebell
Bluebell, a Persian cat hailing from South Africa, made headlines by delivering 14 kittens in a single litter. She set a record for the largest surviving litter, a rare feat given the size.
2. Most Aloof Cat: Big Boy
During Hurricane George's impact on Gulfport, Mississippi, in 1998, Big Boy
was swept into a towering oak tree. By 2001, his owner reported that the cat had never descended. Big Boy lives entirely in the tree, eating, sleeping, and moving between branches for activity.
3. Big Mama: Dusty
In 1952, a tabby cat from Texas redefined the concept of motherhood. Dusty made history by producing over 420 kittens, the highest number ever recorded for a cat, with her final litter arriving at the age of 18.
4. Oldest Cat: Cream Puff
Cream Puff, a Texan feline, holds the title of the longest-living cat, having reached over 37 years of age. At her passing, she was approximately 165 years old in human terms.
5. Best-dressed Cat: The Birman
Originating from Burma (modern-day Myanmar), the Birman cat breed was historically raised as sacred companions for priests. Known for their distinctive white "gloves," all Birmans boast four white paws, lending them an elegant and regal appearance.
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6. Most Ruthless Killer: Towser
Towser, a tortoiseshell tabby from Scotland, was credited with eliminating 28,899 mice over her 21-year lifespan, averaging four mice daily. Her reign of terror ended in 1987, and legend has it that Scotland's mice commemorate her death as a holiday.
7. Most Itty-Bitty Kitty in the Whole World: Tinker Toy
Tinker Toy, a Blue Point Himalayan, remains the tiniest cat ever recorded, standing at just 2.75 inches tall and 7.5 inches long, with a weight of approximately one pound eight ounces. Though she passed away in 1997, her record still stands.
8. Cat Most in Need of a Diet: Himmy
As per the Guinness Book of World Records, Himmy, an Australian cat, holds the title for the heaviest feline ever recorded, weighing over 46 pounds in 1986. If the records are correct, his waist measured approximately 33 inches. Guinness has since discontinued this category to discourage overfeeding pets.
9. First Cat: The Eocene Kitty
Fossils dating back to the Eocene era reveal that cats existed over 50 million years ago. While their appearance differed, these ancient remains confirm that modern domestic cats have a lineage stretching far into the past.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:
Helen Davies, Marjorie Dorfman, Mary Fons, Deborah Hawkins, Martin Hintz, Linnea Lundgren, David Priess, Julia Clark Robinson, Paul Seaburn, Heidi Stevens, and Steve Theunissen
