Anastasia Vsplyshka
These long-coated beauties look very similar to their ancestors – lynxes and other predators from the Felidae family. However, unlike them, Norwegian forest cats are very sociable and friendly!
<a href="https://pixabay.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>
<a href="https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norsk_skogkatt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>
They have a whole set of positive qualities: gentle character and good manners, patience, bravery and, of course, strong attachment to their owners.
What other curious features do these charming “Vikings” have? It turns out they are great hunters and sometimes even try to compete with foxes! Also, these cute fuzzies can climb trees … upside down.
<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Norwegian_Forest_Cat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>
<a href="http://www.wikiwand.com/de/Norwegische_Waldkatze" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>
Norwegian forest cats are perfectly equipped for the severe Scandinavian winters. Fur with a thick undercoat allows semi-domestic/semi-wild pets to keep warm in all weather conditions.
<a href="http://www.wikiwand.com/pt/Lista_de_ra%C3%A7as_de_gatos_dom%C3%A9sticos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>
<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Norskskogkatt_Evita_2.JPG" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>
Of course, such fluffy friends are immortalized in lots of myths, legends and fairy tales. In addition, residents of the country of fjords, trolls and waterfalls attributed different magical abilities to the Norwegian forest cats.
The interesting fact: If you see at the ancient engravings including the images of Freya, you will find an intriguing detail. The goddess from Norse mythology may be depicted in a chariot pulled by cats, very similar to the Norwegian forest cats.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24354425@N03/16744226183" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>
And if you return to present days and watch the video with Jesper skiing cat, you may notice that his behavior is very similar to the above mentioned animals. This unique cat can compete with any sled dog!
For the first time I hear about this type of cats … they are wonderful
Yeah, they are!!! It’s a great pleasure for me to introduce them to you!!!
Sorry about being so late in commenting. Those are are simply breathtakingly beautiful. I wonder though if they would be happy in our very hot humid Outaouais Valley summer which can go up as high as 48 degrees Centigrades including the humidex. Well I am off to see the video you recommended. Excellent post and thank you for introducing me and the virilyan community to the gorgeous animals.
Also sorry for the late answer. Very happy to get such a pleasant and detailed comment. As for cats, don’t think that 48 degrees Centigrades including the humidity is comfotable for them, this kind of weather is preferable for another cat breeds.
Your posts always inform, entertain and your pictures are fantastic! Really loved learning about the fluffy vikings!
Thank you so much for your very kind words, as always!!! So glad that you enjoyed my posts!!!
Fluffy Vikings still makes me laugh 🙂 Not the historical portrayal of vikings 🙂
Thank you for sharing this amazing story about these cats.
It’s a real pleasure for me!!!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
What a majestic animal! 🙂 My cat, Dushica, looks very similar to those beauties. 🙂
Thank you so much for your nice comment!!! Maybe, Dushica & these cats have the same ancestors?
Who knows? Cats are magical beings. 🙂
Great photos! I have a feeling contemporary cats would delegate the “Pulling goddess in chariot” task to someone else.
Ha-ha, maybe people themselves will have to pull contemporary cats in chariots. Thank you very much for your comment!!!
When I think of viking kittens, this is the first place I go…
https://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/vikingkittens
OMG, that’s really great!!! And in continuation of the theme – http://www.lifewithcats.tv/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Screen-Shot-2016-09-20-at-8.47.36-PM.png
That is outstanding! Now if only they would dance and sing…
I knew about Freya’s cats, but always thought she had a bunch of house cats pulling her chariot. A pair of lynx makes way more sense!
You know, these cats remind lynx with some their features and habits – they have very strong claws, they are very good climbers, can climb trees and rocks.
Unlike domestic cats, they can climb down from trees
You have just introduced me to a new cat breed. What a unique and gorgeous cat!
Yeah, these cats have a lot of qualities to make their owners happy!
They are all just gorgeous cats!
Yeah, agree with you 100%!!! Thank you very much for your very nice comment!!!
Amazing I would like a Norwegian forest cat
Thank you so much for your marvellous comment!!! If you decide to get this cat, you may contact with Norwegian Forest Cat Club, UK (https://www.nfcc.co.uk/) or Viking Cat Club, UK (http://www.vikingcatclub.com/). I think that they can advise you how to contact with cat breeders in your country.
I live in New Zealand which has very strict laws about animals. I don’t think I can do this but in another country in the northern hemisphere, it may be possible.
Love the cats !
Oh, it’s a pity! Maybe there are another ways to do it and abovementioned clubs can give you some advices. Wish you a good luck with it!
Thanks so much. Cats unfortunately are not the best immigrants to NZ as they kill birds. Many become feral as their owners abandon them and they become wild.
A lot of New Zealand birds have become extinct because of introduced cats, weasels, ferrets, stoats, rats, mice and other things.
This is a valid reason for the very strict rules
Preservation of the species that remains.
Norwegian cats are gorgeous and majestic! I have always loved them.
Yeah, this is also my favorite cats breed!!! Very happy for your comment!!!
All the cats are just beautiful.
Yeah, they are! Thank you so much for your great comment!!!
Oh they look beautiful cats. I love the photos.
Thank you very much for such nice words!!!
great post, beautiful photos
Very glad that you liked it, hope that I could cheer you up!!!
I’ve never seen a drawing of Frey and Her Cat-Drawn Chariot before.
Beautiful.
Thank you so much for your nice comment!!!