Black Manx cats are well-built, stocky animals with unusual appearance and a manner of moving with fast leaps. They attract attention with their “rabbit” gait and short tail, they have a short, two-layer coat. Under the shiny, not too tight awn, there are dense soft underpads.
Manx can be of any color. But in the United States, chocolate, lavender, and color-point are excluded, as well as the combination of these colors with white.
The Genetics Behind the Black Manx
The palette of cat hair colors depends on two substances – eumelanin and pheomelanin. The former is responsible for the formation of the black color, as well as its derivatives – chocolate, blue, lilac, fawn, cinnamon. For the formation of red – the second.
The genes responsible for black (b) or red (o) color are located on the X chromosome. In other words, the inheritance of coat color is sex-linked. Cats have two X-chromosomes and three variants of coat color:
– XoXo – red;
– XbXb – black;
– XbXo – tortoiseshell.
Cats have one X chromosome. The cat can be red or black, the color of its coat depends on which gene is carrying this chromosome – b or o.
Black Manx Cat Size & Weight
Black Manx Temperament & Personality
Manx cats are active and hardy animals with a friendly disposition. They need communication with the owners and may be offended by inattention from people.
Balanced and curious cats love to watch the flowing water and often amuse themselves by pressing the flush button.
The friendly nature of the Manks allows them to easily find a common language with children. Tailless cats take part in childish games with pleasure. But children should understand that Manks should not be pulled by ears, mustaches, or other parts of the body.
Representatives of the breed get along well with their relatives. But with birds, fish, or decorative rodents, the Manx will not get along because of the developed hunting instinct.
Black Manx Cat Health & Life Span
The life expectancy of the Black Manx
It takes a long time to reach maturity, so it can also break records in terms of longevity, with an average of 15 years of life.
Resistant / Robust
This tailless cat is very robust.
Tendency to gain weight
This kitten has a genetic predisposition to gain weight.
Common diseases
- Manx syndrome: when the mutated gene excessively shortens the spine, severe abnormalities can appear in the spine or in the spinal cord, such as spina bifida; but also at the level of the bladder, intestines, or hind limbs. The life expectancy of cats with this syndrome is very short: the record stands at 5 years.
- Megacolon: a disorder, usually of nervous origin, in which the colon is unable to contract to eliminate stool. It may or may not be part of Manx Syndrome.
- Intertrigo: an infection in the folds of the skin.
- Corneal dystrophy: a malformation of the eye.
The Manx can develop any of the diseases suffered by any non-pedigree cat, especially periodontal pathologies (gingivitis or tartar). Prevention and dental care are the best allies to prevent them.
Reproduction
The dominant Manx (M) gene is responsible for this feline lacking a tail, which will automatically manifest itself if it is present in its genome. However, every cat without a tail has only one mutated gene, since the other allele encodes a tail of normal length (m), resulting in the code “Mm”. A kitten with two mutated genes (MM) will have so many alterations in his spine and bone marrow that they will be unviable. It is a lethal gene, so the reproduction of cats devoid of tails is a very delicate task for breeders.
Pairing two Rumpy cats should be avoided at all costs (without vertebrae where the tail should be) since the kittens in the litter would have a 30% chance of suffering from Manx Syndrome.
Black Manx Grooming & Maintenance
Manx cats do not need special conditions of keeping. But due to the lack of a tail, they should not climb too high, as they can fall and be seriously injured.
Otherwise, caring for a Manx is no different from looking after cats of any other breed and comes down to hygiene:
- The eyes and ears of the animal are regularly wiped with a moistened cotton swab and checked for abnormal discharge.
- To prevent plaque and calculus from forming on the cat’s teeth, they are cleaned 2-3 times a month with a silicone brush with a small amount of non-foaming paste.
- Manx’s claws are shortened as necessary with a claw cutter. In order not to touch the living tissue and not to hurt the cat, only the transparent part is removed.
- The short coat of the Manx is regularly combed out with a special comb. Usually, this is done 2-3 times a week. During the molting period, the Manx cat is combed out more often.
- The Manx is bathed 3-4 times a year using shampoos for short-haired breeds.
How Much is Black Manx Cat Price?
A Black Manx Cat has an average tag price of $450-$850. Some Breeders could even offer Black Manx Kittens for $1500 or even higher.
The price would depend on many factors, such as the kitten’s lineage, parents, health, and the breeder’s reputation.
Aside from the kitten’s price, it would be best to consider the expenses that would come with it. For instance, you may want to get the essential things for your kittens like grooming tools, food, and shelter.
Are Black Manx Cats Rare?
Yes, Black Manx cats are different due to the genetic makeup that makes them generate a lot of melanin. This is what makes up the black fur. For this reason, the black color in cats is considered rare.
15+ Best Names For Your Black Manx Cat
If you’re looking for names for your new black Manx cat, this roundup is a great place to start.
- Luna
- Jack
- Stella
- Loki
- Shadow
- Pepper
- Oreo
- Smokey
- Boo
- Olive
- Ichabod
- Igor
- October
- Autumn
- Wednesday
- Candy
- Phantom
- Dracula
- Harlow
- Monster
Where Can You Find a Black Manx Cat?
These platforms will help you connect with people who have Manx Kittens for sale or adoption near you. It can be a great alternative in looking for your future kitten within the comfort of your home.
Adopt A Pet
If you want to give an abandoned kitten a second chance, a shelter is definitely the place to find one.
Adopt a pet is North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website. They help over 21,000 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to millions of adopters a month, for free.
GoKitty
GoKitty matches lovable kittens with caring owners. You can browse their breed profiles to find the perfect match for your lifestyle. Peruse the available kittens or cats for sale within your matching breeds then save your favorites. When you are ready, contact the cat breeders, rescues, or pet owners of your favorite kittens to learn more and plan your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are black Manx cats more aggressive?
Any cat, regardless of its color, can show signs of aggression depending on the treatment it receives and its history. A recent study by the University of California revealed that black cats are calmer and more approachable than those of other colors.
What do black cats symbolize?
Black cats are often a symbol of Halloween or witchcraft. In most Western cultures, black cats have typically been looked upon as a symbol of evil omens, specifically being suspected of being the familiars of witches, or actually shape-shifting witches themselves.
Final Thoughts: Are Manx Cats Good Pets
Manx cats are cute tailless animals with beautiful two-layer fur and an unusual jumping gait. In addition to their original appearance, they have a good-natured, non-conflicting disposition and can be great companions for families with children.
