5/21/2014
Official State Cats of the United States
By Jill Anne Sparapany
Most people know their
states have an official State Bird. Many states have an official State Fish,
State Mammal and State Flower. Their official state mammals usually are native
to the state, such as, Florida’s Official State Animal-Mammal is the Florida
panther, California the California Grizzly Bear, and Missouri the Missouri
Mule. Some animals are Official State Mammals for more than one state – the
white-tailed deer represents Illinois, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin.
What about our beloved
cats? Do any states have an Official State Cat? YES!
Maine’s
Official State Cat
should be no surprise – It’s the Maine Coon. They are one of the oldest natural
breeds in North America, established more than 100 years ago. Of all the
officially designated State Cats, the Maine Coon is the only one that is a
recognized breed of cat.
They are large muscular
cats with long, smooth, heavy water-resistant coats and long bushy tails. Ears
are heavily furred inside and on tips to prevent hypothermic injury. Big round
and tufted feet act as snowshoes to make travel in the deep snows of Maine
easier. All these characteristics make them well-suited for the long, cold, snowy
Maine winters! When curled up sleeping, they use their long bushy tails to
protect their faces in snowy weather. Males weigh 13 to 18 lbs, but may reach
up to 25 lbs. Females weigh 9 to 12 lbs.
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| Snicker |
Massachusetts’
Official State Cat is
the Tabby Cat. Tabbies are not a breed as “tabby cat” refers to the fur color
pattern. In 1988, in response to the wishes of the state’s school children, the
tabby was officially designated the State Cat. There are five tabby patterns
but one characteristic common to all tabbies is the “M” above their eyebrows.
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| BCR's Tabby Cat: Molly
Maryland’s
Official State Cat is
the Calico Cat. Calico is not a breed, but a very unusual color pattern. They
are tri-color with the colors in distinct patches of the colors, not mixed like
a tortie. The calico pattern is determined by a gene on the X chromosomes.
Females have XX chromosomes so most calico's are female. If a male has the
calico pattern, his chromosomes will be XXY and most will be infertile.
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| Emily
Colorado’s
Official State Pets
are Shelter Dogs and Cats! In May 2013, the Governor signed a bill designating
shelter dogs and cats as the Official State Pet at the Denver animal shelter.
The Governor was accompanied by his dog, Sky, which was a shelter dog. This
proposal was made by Colorado school children. There was much controversy
surrounding this proposal, but supporters said the school children learned
about the legislative process.
At the signing ceremony,
Gov. John Hickenlooper said, “these pets become a huge part of people’s lives.”
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| Colorado's official state pets are shelter dogs and cats! |
Thank you so much to everyone for the wonderful gifts from our Amazon wish list!
Amazon does NOT give us your contact information so we are not able to personally contact you to thank you. Please know we are so grateful for all your support!
Thank you Robin Palermo for the food!
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| Sterling staked out his bed |
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| Morris wanted to show off his catnip ball |
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| Buddy making sure nothing was forgotten in the box |
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