Do We Have Toes

Another litter of trailer park kittens found their way to SNUGGLE Pet Rescue on November 4th. This group of 3, 9-day old kittens were found in a yard in Pacific, Missouri. The status of the mother is another mystery. If this story is starting to sound just like others we have posted, it's not. There is something uniquely different about Ernest, Hemmy and Tippy. Combined, they have a total of 66 toes.

Polydactylism is when kittens have extra toes. It's a genetic mutation. The autosomal dominant trait happens when one of the parents is carrying the gene, which is passed on to the kittens. Polydactylism can result in extra toes on each paw, with the number of extra toes varying from one to several. The extra toes are typically located next to the dewclaw, which is a smaller digit on the inside of the paw that grows higher up on the "wrist" than the other toes.

Ernest, Hemmy and Tippy all have extra toes, each of them with 7 on the back two feet alone. Toes are an important part of a kitten's anatomy. They provide them with better balance and agility, making them expert climbers and hunters. Extra toes on front paws offer additional grip and stability, especially when climbing or running. Well, our 3 will definitely excel at this.

Ernest, Hemmy and Tippy are perfectly normal in every other way and their Foster Care Provider is pleased with how well they are doing so far. We are already looking forward to when they become more mobile, so we can see how they take advantage of their extra toes.