The Egyptian Mau has a delightful personality and a striking appearance. The Mau (mau is the Egyptian word for cat) has been clearly identified in the artwork of the ancient Egyptians, leaving no question in the minds of many experts that the Egyptian Mau is indeed the cat domesticated from a spotted subspecies of the African Wild Cat by this unique culture. The Mau played a role in the religion, mythology, and everyday life of the Egyptian. They were worshipped as deities, cherished as pets, protected by laws, and mummified and mourned upon their death.

The Egyptian Mau has the distinction of being the only natural spotted breed of domestic cat. An extremely intelligent animal, the Mau places a great importance on family, both human and their own, and is fiercely devoted to them. The Mau is moderately active and often express happiness by chortling in a soft melodious voice and while wiggling tail and treading with the forepaws.                      

The Mau’s expressive gooseberry green eyes set off by distinctive mascara lines drawn down the sides of its face, the randomly spotted body, and banded legs and tail, the worried facial expression, and graceful cheetah-like stride,  distinguish the Mau as an unusual and sought after pet.          
Charles isn't 100% Mau, but he IS 100% "MEEOW"!   

Here's a Mau:

• On average, cats can jump five times as high as their tail is long.
• The domestic cat is the only feline species able to hold its tail vertically while walking.
• A cat's brain is more similar to a human's than a dog's, both having similar areas responsible for emotion.
• People who are allergic to cats are actually allergic to their saliva - more so than their dander.
• A cat's heart beats 110-140 beats per minute, about twice as fast as the human heart.
• A cat has 230 bones in its body. A human has only 206.
• A mother cat is pregnant for 63 to 65 days.
• It has been scientifically proven that stroking a cat can lower one's blood pressure.
• Every cat has a nose print as unique and individual as a human fingerprint.
• Scientists who study these things have determined that cats have about 100 different vocalizations, compared to dogs who have only around 10.
• Purring does not always mean that a cat is happy. Some cats will purr loudly when they are in pain.
• Of every 3,001 Calico kittens born, 3,000 are females.
• A cat has 130,000 hairs per square inch on its belly.
• A cat has 13 ribs.
• Only 2/3 of cats respond to the catnip plant

        from http://lovecats4x.tripod.com/tipsnfacts.html