Cyprus  Cats 101 : Fun Facts & Myths
Channel: Kitten Life
Date: 2020-12-10

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In today's video, we are going to talk about some interesting facts and myths about the Cyprus Cat.


The Cyprus cat is a breed of cat. These cats are thought to have first come from ancient Egypt or Palestine. They were brought to the island of Cyprus by St. Helen. These are now common domestic cats that live in homes or outside. Many of these cats still live all over Cyprus. But, a large number are now feral. This means they are not tame and they run wild.

The Cyprus cat is one of the most ancient breeds in the world. Some people claim they’ve been inhabiting the island of Cyprus for as many as 4000 years. Others claim they’ve been around even longer than that. Whichever side you believe, one thing’s clear. This is an old, old breed. So why more isn’t known about them, who knows? But it’s time to change that.

If you are looking for a good family cat with a big personality, the Cyprus cat might be a good option for you. This is a breed that varies greatly from one cat to another in terms of personality.

It can be hard to gauge exactly what an individual will be like, but they definitely look very nice.


Here are a few interesting facts about the Cyprus Cat which will give you some further insight into its characteristics and temperament.


1. Origin and history of Cyprus Cats.

It is believed that the Cyprus cat is one of the oldest, if not the very oldest domestic cat breed. This cat is believed to come from the mountain regions of Cyprus and is thought to pre-date Egyptian cats by up to 4,000 years, which makes this cat up to 5-6,000 years old.

Other than that, there is not very much known about the Cyprus cat breed. The breed may be old, but if there are any other types of a cat in its DNA is unknown.

It is known that the Cyprus cat was imported to Byzantium in the 4th century to control rat and snake populations in monasteries.


2. Nature of the Breed.

The Cyprus cat can vary greatly from one cat to another in terms of personality. Most of them are very friendly, sociable, and love being around people.

It is not usually an independent cat that likes to be alone for any amount of time. However, some people have noted that their Cyprus cats are independent and like to have solo time on occasion. They also vary in terms of handling.

Some like to be picked up, petted, and make for good lap cats, while others detest it. This does not mean that they are not affectionate, but they don’t always like to be handled.

What is certain about the Cyprus cat is that it is a very active and playful cat breed. They love to run around, jump up to new heights, play with cat toys, and they are known for being explorative hunters as well.

Either way, they usually want a lot of attention and interaction.


3. They’re one of the oldest breeds ever to be domesticated.

If the findings of an archaeology dig organized at a Neolithic site in southern Cyprus are right, the Cyprus cat has been around even longer than everyone thinks, and a lot longer than most of us thought possible. Until now, it’s been widely believed that the first domesticated cats originated in Egypt around 7,500 BC. 

But after researcher J.D. Vigne and his group uncovered the carefully buried bones of a cat on the site, the whole idea has been thrown into doubt. According to Vigne, the fact that the cat was buried next to human remains and artifacts suggests it had a status in the human settlement, something that would only have happened had it been domesticated.

As the cat skeleton predates the earliest references to cats in Egyptian culture by around 4000 years, it raises some interesting questions.


4. Their thick coats helped them become better hunters.

Whether you believe the story of Saint Helen of Constantinople’s boatload of cats or not, the one thing we know for sure is that the Cyprus cat is a ferocious hunter. During their early years, they became known for their legendary ability to hunt down even large prey like snakes and lizards.

The only problem they faced was the cold, wet mountain weather in winter. As a way of coping, they developed the thick, bushy hair that characterizes their appearance today, along with their large, relatively muscular bodies.


5. Cyprus Cats need lots of exercises.

If there’s one thing Cyprus cats need plenty of, it’s exercise. These active, playful little creatures need plenty of space to explore and run around in to stop them from becoming bored. As they also love company, they make a great addition to multi-pet households and will fit right into a family where someone is always at home.