Cats common in Mexico

Question
Do you happen to know if any cats in particular are more common than others in southern Mexico or the Caribbean in general? I recently visited Cancun for the first time, and while I only saw 3 cats, I thought I noticed that they were all more slender and had larger, pointier ears than the cats I typically see here in the US. Thank you!!

Answer
Nina,

There have been a couple of breeds ascribed to Mexico over the years.  In particular the Mexican and the Mexican Hairless (now considered extinct).

See:  http://www.messybeast.com/breeds-m.htm

Mexican -- Recognized 1978 in Mexico as Mexican Domestic Cat and one of the first natural breeds; descended from cats introduced by Spanish conquistadors and have remained pure ever since. Shorthaired and semi-longhaired varieties. Typical working cats and hunters, athletic, medium build (light but powerful). Long, well-boned, muscular limbs. Large, strong jaws. Fur thick and protects against temperature. White (blue/orange/odd eyed forms), black, blue, red, cream, classic/mackerel tabby, silver tabby, cameo tabby, cameo, chinchilla, black smoke, tortie and dilute tortie, bicolor i.e. colors and patterns that do not show Siamese influence.

Mexican Hairless -- Extinct -- Sphynx is similar recent mutation. The Mexican Hairless was cobbier and grew a ridge of fur along the back in winter. There was reputedly a pair in Europe, but whether these were genuine Mexican Hairless or a new mutation was unproven. In 2006, it was reported that further examples of the Mexican Hairless had been found, but whether it is the same mutation has yet to be confirmed.


Best regards... Norm.