My first Publication CC May Edition for Web | Page 17

Th e colour of the coat of a Siamese
is determined by their genes and the
temperature of their surroundings.
Th is can be attributed to the presence
of a mutated enzyme in their body that
inhibits pigment from developing in their
fur. For this reason the cat has a cream
colored torso and darker points at the ears,
face and toes.
Th e Siamese comes in a variety of
colours ranging from silver, grey and
orange to brown, blue and lilac. Th e
Cat
Fancier’s
Association
(CFA)
offi cially recognizes four shades of the
Siamese- seal (black), chocolate, blue and
black. Th e International Cat Association
(TICA) also recognizes lynx and
tortoiseshell.
BURMESE
Siamese makes excellent housepets as
they are very talkative and intelligent.
Th ey can vocalize their demands that oft en
sound like human baby cries. Th ey are
agile and energetic and love active families
and busy households. Th ey have an
inquisitive nature and are aff ectionate and
people oriented. Th ey can also be trained
to follow specifi c commands.
T
hese cats are popularly known as ‘bricks wrapped in silk’ since
their solid, athletic, round shaped bodies are covered beneath
a silken short-haired coat. Having originated in Th ailand, this
domestic cat breed is believed to have its roots near the present day
Th ai-Burmese border. Most modern Burmese attribute their origins to
one female cat, Wong Mau, brought from Burma to the United States
in 1930 and bred with the American Siamese.
Th e four offi cially recognized colours of the Burmese are sable,
champagne, blue and platinum. Th ey weigh between 8-10 pounds and
have distinct gold or yellow coloured eyes dripping with innocence.
Th ese cats are known for their intelligence and observant nature. Th ey
can open cabinets and have a penchant for hiding stuff around the house,
particularly shiny things. Th ey are very attached to their owners, are
playful and mischievous. Th ey thrive in bustling households with older
children and pets. Th e Burmese needs physical and mental stimulation
and loves to play the game of fetch.
BENGAL
O
ne of the most coveted cat breeds of
the world, the Bengal is valued for
its exquisite beauty and friendly nature. It
weighs between 10-15 pounds and grows
up to a height of about 16 inches. It has
a leopard-like prowl and slender, athletic
body with oval eyes and a wedge-shaped
head. Th e hind legs of a Bengal are longer
than the front legs and it boasts of a
magnifi cent leopard print coat.
Th e origins of the Bengal can be attributed
to Jean mill, a California based breeder
who wanted to develop a cat breed that
could be easily domesticated yet possessed
a coat which resembled that of a wild
cat. Mill had a degree in psychology and
had taken graduate classes in genetics. In
1983, the Bengal was offi cially recognized
by TICA. Bengals have diff erent coat
colours ranging from silver, sable, black
and charcoal to brown, blue and marbled
patterns. Th e coat is silken to touch and
exotic to look at.
Bengals make great pets as they are playful
and devoted companions. Th ey love
water and do well in active households.
Known for their active and agile traits this
highly intelligent and observant breed of
housecat watches the actions of others and
can open doors, cabinets and windows.
Th ey are extremely demanding and need
to be taken care of by experienced cat
owners. Th ey need quality time and lots of
interaction and are quite vocal.
May 2019 • Vol. XII • Issue 5 • Noida
17
| Creature Companion