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"Mau" is the Egyptian word for cat. The Egyptian Mau was a domesticated, spotted subspecies of the African Wild Cat, Felis Lybica Ocreata, from the Ethiopian highlands. This was the conclusion of Morrison Scott of the British Museum after examination of mummified cats from 600 - 200 B.C. The Mau was domesticated sometime before recorded history in Egypt. Described in Marcel Reney's book "Mes Amis Les Chats" (1940), Egyptian Maus had been bred and shown prior to World War ll by Europeans who imported them from the Middle East. After the war, the exiled Princess Nathalie Troubetskoy rescued some of the remaining Maus in Italy. Most reports indicate that the princess brought her Maus to the U.S. in 1953. Egyptian Maus have extraordinary personalities, and are extremely intelligent. They love to interact with people and other animals. Maus tend to bond very strongly to their owners. But, at first meeting of strangers, they can tend to be shy. With familiarity they will "bump & purr" with anyone; even with other pets. Maus are moderately active and athletic, and are known to be shoulder riders. Maus are known to love and be possessive of their favorite toys, and are famous for finding them if you try to hide them. Maus have an unusual fascination with water. Turn on the faucet or shower, and they are right there trying to catch the water. After flushing the toilet, you quickly learn to keep the seat down! Although Maus are not overly talkative, they do let their owners know if something is amiss, particularly if it concerns their food dish. Maus are known to wag their tails, "knead bread" with their feet, and emit a chortling sound when content. Maus are the only naturally spotted breed of domestic cat. The characteristic "M" on the forehead is sometimes described as a Scarab beetle mark. The scarab is the most frequently used good luck symbol in Egyptian art. Expressive almond-shaped, gooseberry green eyes, large ears (often tufted at the tip), the Mau's face has tabby markings. Two mascara lines begin at the corner of each eye, and continue along the cheek contour, producing what is commonly referred to as the "Cleopatra look". With barring on the legs and tail, and spots on the body, the Egyptian Mau is sleek and muscular with a skin flap that extends from the stomach to the hind leg that allows for a greater length of stride and speed. The hind legs are longer than the forepaws which gives the Mau the appearance of standing on its tiptoes. With prominent and elevated shoulder blades, the Mau has the gait of a Cheetah. Maus come in colors of silver, bronze, smoke, and black. Top Back Home