HEMINGWAY CAT

THE ORIGIN STORY

The association began in the 1930s when a sea captain named Stanley Dexter gifted Ernest Hemingway a white polydactyl kitten named Snow White. At the time, polydactyl cats were highly prized by sailors as "ship cats." It wasn't just superstition; sailors believed the extra toes gave the cats better balance on rocky decks and made them superior hunters for catching shipboard rodents.Hemingway, a lifelong sailor and lover of the sea, was charmed by the trait.

THE KEY WEST LEGACY

Today, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, Florida, is home to approximately 60 cats. Direct Descendants: Many of the cats currently living on the estate are believed to be direct descendants of Snow White. The Genetic Trait: About half of the museum's cats physically show the extra toes, but all of them carry the polydactyl gene in their DNA. This means even a four-toed cat at the museum can father or mother a six-toed kitten. Naming Tradition: Hemingway started a tradition of naming his cats after famous people (like Billie Holiday or Pablo Picasso), a practice the museum staff continues to this day.

FUN FACTS

"Mittens": The most common form of polydactyly results in a "thumb-like" digit on the inner side of the front paws. Dexterity: Because of their wider paws, these cats are often exceptionally good at climbing and "grasping" toys or treats. No Specific Breed: A Hemingway cat is not a specific breed (like a Persian or Siamese). Polydactyly is a genetic mutation that can appear in any breed, though it is historically very common in Maine Coons. The world record for the most toes on a cat is 28 (seven on each paw), held by a Canadian ginger tabby named Jake.

Note: While these cats are famous for their "extra" parts, they require the same love and care as any other cat—though you might have a few extra claws to clip during grooming!

Esther Bryce

Founder / Interior designer

Lianne Wilson

Broker

Jaden Smith

Architect

Jessica Kim

Photographer