Cyprus Shorthair

The Cyprus Shorthair is a breed of cat believed to be descended from cats of Egypt or Palestine brought to Cyprus by St. Helen to rid the island of snakes and vermin.
== History==
According to research conducted by J.-D. Vigne, et. al. the oldest example of a domesticated cat may be found in Cyprus. In 2004, archaeologists working at the Neolithic site of Shillourokambos, uncovered carefully interred remains of a cat along side human remains and decorative artifacts. "Examination showed that a small pit or grave had been deliberately dug out, and the body of the cat was placed in it, then rapidly covered." The cat skeleton predates Egyptian depictions of cats by 4,000 years or more. [1]
The Cyprus Shorthair is linked with the Byzantine monastery peculiarly named "St. Nicholas of the Cats" (Greek Άγιος Νικόλαος των Γατών), which was founded in the fourth century AD. According to Byzantine legend, St. Helen imported hundreds of cats from Egypt or Palestine in the fourth century to control poisonous snakes that had infested the monastery. The monastery had two bells, one to call the cats for meals and the other to send to the fields to hunt snakes. Today, the monastery's population of cats has dwindled.[2]
The Nobel Laureate, Giorgos Seferis, wrote of the Cyprus Shorthair in his poem, "The Cats of St. Nicholas" translated by Edmund Keely and Philip Sherrard in 1995.[3]
== Characteristics==
The Cyprus Shorthair, a close relative of the Cyprus Longhair, is an athletic and energetic breed found throughout the island of Cyprus; from mountainous and cooler regions to the lower, hotter areas near the coasts. As such, this breed has adapted to different climates.
Cats of this breed are friendly and very social; they are excellent family companions as they love children. Many Cypriot shorthairs can be found in the cities of Cyprus, including Limassol, Nicosia, Paphos, and Larnaca. In many cases, large populations have become feral.