Egyptian Mau Facts for Kids

An Egyptian Mau sits in the grass.

The Egyptian Mau is a beautiful and unique cat breed known for its naturally spotted coat. These cats are usually small to medium-sized. An average Egyptian Mau weighs about 8 to 14 pounds and stands 8 to 10 inches tall. They are one of the few domestic cat breeds with natural spots, meaning their spots weren't created by humans breeding them.

What Makes an Egyptian Mau Special?
- Appearance and Markings
- Personality and Behavior
History of the Egyptian Mau
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What Makes an Egyptian Mau Special?

Appearance and Markings

Egyptian Maus have strong, muscular bodies. Their fur comes in many different colors, like black, bronze, smoke, silver, blue, and even caramel. One of their most striking features is their bright green eyes, often described as "gooseberry green." These eyes, along with their unique facial markings, can sometimes make them look like they have a "worried" expression.

A key feature of the Egyptian Mau is its spotted coat. These spots are not stripes or blotches; they are distinct, random spots found all over their body. They also have special markings on their face:

"M" Mark: Many Egyptian Maus have a clear "M" shape on their forehead, right above their eyes.
"Scarab Beetle" Mark: They also have a mark that looks like a scarab beetle on their forehead. This mark is made by the "M" shape and lines extending from it.
Mascara Lines: Two "mascara" lines run from the corner of their eyes along their cheeks.

Personality and Behavior

Egyptian Maus are known for being very active and playful cats. They love to run, jump, and play games. They are also very smart and can be trained to do tricks. Many Maus enjoy playing with water, which is unusual for a cat! They are often very loyal and loving with their families, forming strong bonds with their human companions. They can be quite vocal, using different sounds to "talk" to their owners.

History of the Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau is believed to be one of the oldest cat breeds. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where cats were highly respected and even worshipped. "Mau" is the ancient Egyptian word for "cat." Ancient Egyptian art often shows spotted cats that look very similar to today's Egyptian Mau. This suggests that the breed has existed for thousands of years.

Modern Egyptian Maus were first brought to the United States in the 1950s. An exiled Russian princess named Nathalie Troubetzkoy helped bring these cats from Egypt and Italy to North America. She worked hard to establish the breed and make sure it was recognized by cat associations.