Siamese (cat) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Siamese Cat |
|
|---|---|
Lilac-point Siamese (Oriental)
|
|
| Common nicknames | Meezer |
| Origin | China, Thailand  |
| Breed standards | |
| TICA | standard |
| ACF | standard |
| ACFA/CAA | standard |
| CCA-AFC | standard |
| Domestic cat (Felis catus) | |
The 'Siamese' is a breed of cat from Thailand. It is a well-known cat, especially for its blue eyes and brown face, ears, tail and paws, although not all of them look like this. In Thailand, it is a native breed, and they are called Wichian Mat (Thai: วิเชียรมาศ), which means moon diamond. There are two different types of Siamese Cat, the Traditional or Thai Siamese, and the Modern Siamese.
Appearance
The fur on all Siamese cats has the same sort of pattern, known as point coloration. This is when an animal has a pale body and a dark face, ears, feet and tail.
Traditional Siamese
The Traditional Siamese has a few features that are the same as the Modern Siamese, like the colour pattern and the short fur, but it is different because of its head and body shape. It has long legs, and is thin and is graceful. It has a wedge shaped head and muzzle, and round cheeks. The ears are large and high. The eyes are between medium and large, and have the shape of an almond.
Modern Siamese
The body of a Modern Siamese is flexible and well-muscled. Its head is in the shape of a triangle, with a thin snout-like muzzle. Their eyes are also almond shaped, and their ears are tall and sit more on the side of the head than the Traditional Siamese. It's neck and tail are long and thin.
Behaviour
Siamese cats, both Traditional and Modern, are usually very friendly and loving cats, and will enjoy spending time with you, although this depends on the cat. They are known
to bond to one person. They are also very smart, more so than some other cats. Some Siamese cat's enjoy 'talking', which has been said to sound like a human baby, and are always want attention. Siamese cat's love to play and run around as if they were kittens all their life.
Unlike most cats, they are less active at night, and prefer to sleep through it. This might be because their eyes lack something called tapetum lucidum, which allows cats to see better in the dark. Also, unlike many other blue-eyed cats, Siamese cats can still hear well. Cats that are white with blue eyes are often deaf.
Images for kids
-
Suphalak cat, Siamese cat, Korat cat and Ninlachak cat in Tamra Maew (The Cat-Book Poems) thought to originate from the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351 to 1767 AD). Over a dozen are now kept in the National Library of Thailand.
-
Siamese gene chart
-
Balinese are also known as Longhaired Siamese, being distinguished by coat length
-
Orientals have the same head and body type but green eyes and a wide variety of coat patterns
-
Himalayan cat, breed derived from crosses of Persians to Siamese
-
Colorpoint Shorthair, cross between a Siamese and a Domestic Shorthair, with a lynx point pattern and cream colouring.
-
King Prajadhipok following his coronation day, surrounded by the court ladies carrying his regalia and what is today regarded as a Thai cat, the cat symbolises 'domesticity'.
-
Wankee, born 1895 in Hong Kong, became the first UK Siamese champion in 1898.
-
While this show quality specimen from 1960 still exhibits relatively moderate characteristics, the breed standard was setting the stage for the modern Siamese, with its call for a "dainty, long and svelte" body, a long head that "taper[s] in straight lines from the ears to a narrow muzzle", "ears large and pricked, wide at the base" and tail "long and tapering".
-
Seal point Siamese-Himalayan mixed breed cat
-
A mixed breed chocolate-point Siamese cat-Bicolour cat
-
Seal point Siamese kittens
-
Seal tabby silver Siamese
-
Lilac point Siamese cat
-
Side view of the head of a chocolate point adult
See also
In Spanish: Gato siamés para niños
