A Maine Coon kitten from Wisconsin has established a new world record for the highest number of toes on a feline. Erebus Anomaly, who was born in March, possesses 29 toes across his paws, exceeding the previous Guinness World Record of 28 toes that had been held since 2002 by a Canadian cat named Jake and later tied by a Michigan kitten called Toby.
The exceptional digit count is attributed to polydactyly, a genetic condition that results in additional bones in the paws. This trait is relatively common among Maine Coons, according to research published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. Erebus’s biological father also carried this genetic characteristic, having been born with 24 toes total, which likely contributed to the kitten’s record-breaking anatomy.
Before achieving recognition, Erebus experienced a serious health crisis in infancy. His owners, Kendra Vandenbloomer and Hunter Nett of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, discovered the kitten was breathing through his mouth and learned he had suffered an aspiration event that led to pneumonia. He was treated at an emergency veterinary clinic, where he was placed in an oxygen machine and administered medication. At one point, his lungs displayed an abnormal white appearance rather than their normal black coloration, raising concerns about his survival.
Erebus ultimately recovered from the illness, a development his owners characterized as miraculous. X-rays taken to confirm his full recovery became instrumental in documenting his condition for the Guinness World Records application. The organization officially recognized Erebus as the record holder on 13 May. His owners, who operate a Maine Coon breeding cattery called BlueNorthern Maine Coons, stated that Erebus would remain in their care rather than being rehomed.
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