Facts about tuxedo cats!

[ashleywong]

All material used here © Magrathea and Randy Wallace

Facts About Tuxedo Cats
Did you know that tuxedo cats are 200% smarter than other cats? That the first cat in the new world was a Tuxedo cat named Asgerd aboard a Viking ship, or that the largest inheritance given a cat was to a tuxedo? Learn more amazing bits of fact and/or fiction about tuxedo cats, as researched and verified by Dr. Magrathea Wallace.

I was amazed and mystified to read some of these facts, although friends owned by tuxedos may agree with many of them. Thanks to Dr. Wallace and her personal assistant, Randy Wallace, for taking the time to assemble and submit these facts.

The truth will become clear, as you read further. One fact, which is indisputable, is that tuxedo cats are stunning, with their white bibs and spats against their sleek black coats and tails. The combination, of course, is how the term "tuxedo" was first coined. Pictured here is Maggie, one of the tuxies in the new 2008 Tuxedo Cats Picture Gallery.
Photo Credit: © Randy Wallace
Researched and verified by Dr. Magrathea Wallace aka Maggie

I was amazed and mystified to read some of these facts, although friends owned by tuxedos may agree with many of them. Thanks to Dr. Wallace and her personal assistant, Randy Wallace, for taking the time to assemble and submit these facts.

The truth will become clear, as you read further. One fact, which is indisputable, is that tuxedo cats are stunning, with their white bibs and spats against their sleek black coats and tails. The combination, of course, is how the term "tuxedo" was first coined.
1. Superior Intelligence of Tuxedo Cats

Dr. Magrathea Wallace, aka Maggie Wallace, Author of "Facts About Tuxedo Cats."

View Full-Size

Photo Credit: © Randy Wallace

Tuxedo cats (or TCs) are significantly more intelligent than regular cats (including all other breeds and varieties). Research indicates that this difference may be as great as 200%.

Other cats living in the same households as TCs benefit from this and may see temporary increases in intelligence of 5-10%.
2. Environment of the Tuxedo Cat

People who have agreed to serve TCs as food providers and toy throwers are more attractive than the average humans.

Dogs are afraid of TCs.

People who win lotteries are statistically more likely to live with TCs.

Plants grown in houses where TCs reside are healthier and generally 20-50% larger than plants in non-TC households.
3. Tuxedo Cats and the Arts

In recognition of their formal attire, tuxedo cats are the only felines admitted to performances of the metropolitan opera.

The musical style known as 'The Blues' is widely acknowledged as the being inspired by the nighttime serenades of lovesick tuxies.

William Shakespeare owned a tuxedo cat, as did Beethoven and Sir Isaac Newton.

In the original "Lassie" stories, Lassie was a tuxedo cat. The role was re-cast as a Collie after no TC willing to accept the role could be found. They all refused the role as 'undignified' and 'demeaning.'
4. Tuxedo Cat Popularity

"Tuxedo Cat" is the most googled term on the Internet after "Paris Hilton" and "Free P*rn."

Franny's Note: In deference to various "spam blockers," the inserted asterisk is mine. While I did not verify the claim of "most googled term," I did find out one interesting fact. Under search results, "Tuxedo Cats" garnered 377,000 results, while "Paris Hilton" yielded 71,200,000 results. I take this as a vivid testimony to the discerning selectivity of tuxedo cats and their fans; proof that TCs are not hungry for fame.
5. Tuxedo Cats in History

Over 70% of all the cats pictured in Egyptian royal tombs are tuxedo cats.

The first cat in the new world was a Tuxedo cat named Asgerd who accompanied (some literature indicates she led) early Viking expeditions to the North American continent.

A TC named Buster flew 17 combat missions over Europe with the US Eighth Air Force during WW II. He was shot down in January 1944 and spent the remainder of the war in a German Prisoner of War camp, where he was credited with improving the standard of living through his diligent rodent control efforts.
6. Richest Cat

The largest inheritance ever left to a cat (over $6.3 million) was left to a tuxedo cat named Sparky in 1998.
7. Tuxedo Cat Olympic Medalist

A TC earned an Olympic silver medal in the 1960 winter Olympics as a member of the Swiss four man (three man and one cat) bobsled team.

Franny's Note: The award is still under dispute after a protest was filed by the Alaskan team, which consisted of three men and a Malamute dog. They claimed that the TCs raised tail created a favorable windspeed factor, which gave an unfair advantage to the Swiss team.
8. Tuxedo Cats in Exploration

A TC named Roderick is the only feline ever to climb Mt. Everest.

NASA is making plans to allow a tuxedo cat to be the first pet on the Moon, with studies indicating that TCs are also well suited for the Mars missions.
9. Other Amazing Facts About Tuxedo Cats

Tuxedo cats can, in an emergency, drive a car.

When a full moon occurs on the vernal or diurnal equinox, TCs can become invisible.

As kittens, tuxies will open their eyes 24 hours before regular cats.

Tuxedos are the best swimmers in the feline family, but they will shun forever any who human who puts them in the water.

Tuxedo cats can add single digit numbers and perform simple integrations.

TCs can see infrared light.

Franny's Note: I hope you enjoyed Dr. Magrathea's highly interesting and unusual facts about these highly beautiful cats we call "Tuxedos." If you haven't already figured it out, you will be able to see Magrathea's photo in a brand new 2008 Tuxedo Cats Picture Gallery.

[Celis]

Good info there....

[ashleywong]

Hi

i know. it's a fun article. my sis is thinking of teaching my nicky (a tuxie) how to do simple arithmetic. i shot down the idea as i don't think nicky needs to have to "earn" his living.

[syunichi]

No wonder....I thought so myself. He is the mastermind of the prison-break (cage) on Sundays. I knew it was you Milo...spot on. Nice article Ashley. Thx a lot. Really a fun fact to know about.

[ashleywong]

Hi syunichi

i suspected my tuxie behind the many prison at home too but the actual perpetrator was anna- but now upon further reflection, nicky egged anna to do it.

coco is too smart to be caught with something illegal she always inform me if they break out.

[lynielime]

Omg! Umm.. I don't mean to sound like stupid but i just have to ask. Can they really do simple math? Hahaha!

[ashleywong]

my sis is toying with this idea, teaching him numbers and alphabet...

[Bareen]

Originally Posted by ashleywong

All material used here © Magrathea and Randy Wallace

People who win lotteries are statistically more likely to live with TCs.

Originally Posted by ashleywong

my sis is toying with this idea, teaching him numbers and alphabet...

....and get them to choose numbers to win lottories

[ashleywong]

hey you're right,

i haven't won any lotteries ever since nicky came to live with us..perhaps it's time i teach him numbers :-)

you know my sis and my other half would buy this wholesale - teach the cat to pick numbers and they'd definitely buy the numbers!!!

[Bareen]

Put your TC on speed learning program, there's a RM20M on Mega Toto Lottories for grabs! LOL

[ashleywong]

how many numbers needed for this toto lottery? i'm only familiar with 4 digit

hey i think i can get this done tonight get nicky to pick out the numbers hehehehe

[Bareen]

any 6 numbers out of 1 to 52.
all Nicky need is 6 rounds.

[ashleywong]

hehehe

considered it done!

[FurKids]

No wonder la this morning I saw two beautiful tuxedos with pretty eyes like this pic escaped the recent deadly trap set by Restoran Aleef Caterers at TTDI Market KL which caught many, many of the hungry cats and kittens! But the most of the large family of white and silver tabby with the saddest and soulful eyes are gone. Even the 3 sibblings that the Indian man and his friend hand-raised with milk when they were found so very small and young with their eyes yet to be opened.

And I really hate the idea people taking advantage and tricking the animals using their basic need like extreme hunger to do a bad deed to them!

[aliciahorsley]

Shadow is a tuxedo cat!!!

Long live shadow!!!

[ashleywong]

hi alicia

i've heard about shadow from time to time especially. and then i finally saw shadow featured in this pet magazine : petlovers i think.

shadow is a very lovely full tuxie, very beautiful.

[A7xCastielA7x]

When you say that tuxies can see infrared light, you mean that that's all they see? Or do they see like us humans do?
I mean, when they look at us, is it how we see ourselves, or is it in all infrared light?

[jouhari]

TC is not the richest cat.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011...herits-fortune

It can drive? come on.....

tc is the most googled? come on..... you and i know it. its porn.

tc can swim better than savannahs? come on.....

bobsled was not even an event in 1960 winter olympics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_Winter_Olympics

tc to space... can't u tell it was a joke?
http://www.stevethecat.com/mars.htm

I still want one. but Mythbusted.