Arabian Mau

Overview

Overview of Arabian Mau

With its prominent large pointed ears to dissipate heat (very handy when living in the desert), the Arabian Mau has over a thousand years behind them as one of the oldest natural breeds around. This desert cat was only recently recognized as an actual breed, even though they have been commonly found all over the Arabian Peninsula, in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia for centuries. In these parts of the world, it is still common to find Arabian Maus living on the streets and adapting to their changing environment as more desert land rapidly transforms into cities. “Mau” is the Egyptian word for “cat,” and these kitties are active at night while sleeping during the day to avoid the hot desert sun like their ancestors before them. Overall, the Arabian Mau is a medium-sized (8-16lb), sleek cat who is a great hunter. They come in a variety of patterns and colors, however, you typically see the Arabian Mau with a combination of black, white, gray, and brown.