A Wisconsin cat is stepping into the record books with an extraordinary number of toes. Erebus Anomaly, a Maine Coon owned by Kendra Vandenbloomer and Hunter Nett, has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the cat with the most toes, tallying 29—11 more than the typical feline.
The recognition comes after Erebus's digits were counted and verified, placing him ahead of the previous record holder, a Canadian cat named Jake, who had 28 toes and held the title since 2002. Earlier this year, a Michigan kitten named Toby Henderson tied Jake's record, but Erebus surpassed it by one toe.
Vandenbloomer and Nett, who run the Blue Northern Maine Coons breeding business in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, said they immediately suspected Erebus might be record-breaking when he was born in March. Their intuition proved correct.
Erebus's extra toes are the result of polydactyly, a genetic condition that causes cats to be born with more than the usual number of digits. While most cats have 18 toes—five on each front paw and four on each back paw—Erebus was born with eight toes on one paw and seven on the others.
The condition is relatively common in Maine Coons, according to a 2016 article in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. The trait has been documented in the breed for generations, and genetic surveys dating back to the 1970s show a high frequency of polydactyly in cats from coastal cities such as Halifax, Philadelphia, and Boston. The Maine Coon is a natural breed originating in the state of Maine.
Erebus's father was also polydactyl, born with six toes on each paw for a total of 24. But Erebus outdid his dad, and his owners say he takes his new world record holder status in stride.
Erebus's journey hasn't been without challenges. He overcame a serious case of pneumonia and a nearly fatal aspiration event shortly after birth. His story gained attention Monday after it aired on ABC's World News Now.
Polydactyly is not exclusive to cats and has been reported in many species, including humans, mice, dogs, horses, cattle, goats, sheep, springboks, and birds, according to the study. The congenital condition causes no harm or damage to the felines.
The previous record holder, Jake, died in 2022, but his owner remained active on his Facebook page until 2024, sharing updates and pictures of him. Now, Erebus takes his place in the record books, as confirmed by Guinness World Records on May 29, 2026.