Will the Sphinx speak? Was there a sphinx? living word books of the dead Sphynx cat description and character.

General subtleties

The skin of a naked cat is easily affected by ultraviolet radiation, so you need to make sure that the animal does not get burned. Under the influence of the sun, it acquires a golden and even brownish tint, and the pattern on the body, if present, becomes more contrasting.

It is better to sunbathe naked in the shade, since direct exposure to sunlight can lead to burns. Sunbathing in moderation is beneficial.

Source: housecat.ru

The Sphinx is distinguished by its healing skills. Thanks to its high body temperature, a cat sitting in your arms or on a painful area can calm you down and relieve pain and muscle tension.

There is even evidence that sphinxes can treat osteochondrosis and rheumatism thanks to the heat of electromagnetic and ultrasonic waves emanating from their bodies.

Source: http://vladardon.ucoz.ru

All breeds of sphinxes have high intelligence and a wonderful memory: they quickly remember their names and are amenable to training and learning. Amazingly loyal, affectionate, peace-loving and good-natured creatures. Even as adults, they are active and love to play.

Misconceptions about sphinxes

The exotic animal has nothing to do with Egypt and the Goddess Bast, although the head of the sphinx is somewhat similar to the cat head of the figurines depicting the Egyptian goddess.

Whether the Sphynx causes allergies is a controversial and individual issue. The fact that the Sphynx has no fur does not mean that there will be no allergies. The fact is that an allergic reaction occurs to substances that are part of the cat’s saliva and sebaceous glands, and not to fur.

Some allergy sufferers may have an even more severe reaction to Sphynx cats than usual. Therefore, before you get an alien cat, spend several hours with him to check his body’s reaction.

Source: http://animalworld.com.ua

Care

Alien cats love to eat. They eat twice as much as other cats, because the Sphynx needs to spend more energy to warm its hairless body.

Despite its exotic appearance, it is an unpretentious animal in food. The Sphynx is almost omnivorous and has a wonderful appetite. The main thing is to make sure that there are no additives in the food that promote hair growth, and to avoid sweet and salty foods.

The digestive system of this breed is vulnerable, and in order to prevent gastrointestinal diseases, the Sphynx's diet must be strict, but balanced and complete. In winter, you need to give more high-calorie food.

Source: gandex.ru

The Sphinx must be washed or wiped with a special lotion or a damp sponge at least once a week. The fact is that the skin of hairless cats secretes a special lubricant, and if it is not washed off, over time the cat will turn dirty brown and smell unpleasant.

It is good to teach bathing from infancy. Shampoos are suitable for children, soft. After bathing the pebble, you need to dry it thoroughly so as not to get too cold.

Source: animalworld.com.ua

It is also useful to temper an alien cat with walks in the fresh air. But it is better to avoid drafts and sudden hypothermia. If the room becomes cool, it is better to wear a naked one. The Sphynx will not be able to live on the street, since it is an artificially bred breed.

The Sphynx does not have eyelashes, this leads to the accumulation of mucus in the eyes, which must be wiped daily with cotton wool or special wipes. Sphynx cats also need to have their ears cleaned regularly due to increased sulfur production and their claws trimmed.

Sphinx. What associations do you have with this word - pyramids, bizarre rock paintings, golden sands?

Today, everyone can touch the magic of ancient Egypt, you just have to have a “bald” miracle at home - the mysterious Sphynx cat.

What are hairless cats called and where did they come from?

It’s not for nothing that Sphinxes have such a majestic name - hairless cat breeds are mentioned in ancient documents. The Aztecs apparently favored this breed along with "hairless" domestic dogs.

And what can we say about the Egyptians, who deified this animal and decorated the walls of temples and ancient writings with its images. It was after noticing the striking similarity of “hairless” cats with Egyptian designs that the breeders gave the breed its name.

By the way, back in 1903, the “Book of Cats” described the brother and sister sphinxes - Dick and Nellie, bought from the Aztec tribe and considered the last representatives of the breed. The owner did not crossbreed kittens from the same litter, and it seemed that the exotic gene had disappeared forever.

However, already in 1966 in Canada, a “naked” baby was born from an ordinary domestic cat, named Pruno. Alas, his offspring did not inherit the unusual appearance of their parent and breeders began to wait for new manifestations of the breed.

1975 gave the world Epidermis, a “hairless” kitten from Minnesota, who became the ancestor of Canadian sphinxes.

The second branch of the breed - Don sphinxes– began in Rostov-on-Don: a local resident, Elena Kovaleva, picked up a hairless cat on the street. Varvara gave birth to her copy - Chita, from whom the breed trait was established.

Another of the most common “branches” of the Sphinx is Petersburg breed or Peterbald. It originated in Russia in 1994, by crossing a shorthaired oriental cat and a Don Sphynx.

Sphynx cat character

Like any other breed, the Sphynx has character traits that are largely based on its exotic appearance.

1. The “naked” pet is drawn to its owner - it adores human warmth and affection.
2. The Sphynx is as friendly as it is unusual - often this breed gets along well even with large and formidable dogs.
3. Experiencing an endless craving for “hugs,” the sphinx happily greets guests, often purring welcoming speeches under her breath.
4. This animal is a real assistant in any business of the owners. The cat is not offended by your busyness - he gladly takes part in the bustle of the home, be it a noisy feast or general cleaning.
5. Sphinxes are royally reserved and courteous; they rarely act up.
6. A cat of this breed will not be nervous when moving long distances or visiting.
7. The Sphinx is surprisingly smart - he remembers a tray and a scratching post just by snapping his fingers.
8. Despite the innate sense of tact, the pet will suffer from loneliness or lack of attention.

Sphynxes simply love to be kissed on the nose.

How to care for a hairless cat

Still hesitant to get a Sphynx, fearing difficulties in caring for him? In vain. There are, of course, some nuances in keeping this breed, but they are unlikely to overshadow the pleasure of communicating with this miracle of nature.

Sphinx food

Perhaps one of the most unusual features of the Sphinx is its excellent appetite. Such a cat does not think about her figure: she loves everything and more. The reason is increased metabolism due to high body temperature and “baldness”.

The ideal diet for a Sphynx is 80% natural products to 20% feed, or vice versa. However, not every owner can correctly balance a natural menu for a cat. Ready-made food can help.

Elite breeders keep Sphynx cats on the following diet:

• meat (boiled chicken, raw beef, boiled or raw beef liver) - about 60%;
• dry food (for example, Hills, James, Eagle Pack) - 20%;
• milk (ryazhenka, cottage cheese, milk, semolina porridge with milk) – 5%;
• boiled egg or raw yolk – once a week;
• treats (depending on individual preferences) - approximately 1%.

Sphynxes are more likely than other cats to become hooked on unusual foods - cucumbers or chocolate. Pamper your pet by remembering the 1%.

Care

Few people decide to get a Sphynx kitten. Most failed owners of this breed incorrectly believed that the Sphynx needed “greenhouse” conditions. In fact, the mysterious “naked” cat has many other features of its content.

• Sphynx cats sweat and secrete plaque, similar to dark wax. The rules of care are simple:
  • wipe the cat with baby wipes or a wet sponge;
  • you can bathe the animal in baby or any other mild shampoo with an acidity of pH 5.5;
  • After bathing, wipe the skin dry and do not expose it to drafts.

• If the skin discharge is excessive, you should contact your veterinarian, as this may be caused by an unhealthy diet that is oversaturated with fats.
• It accumulates very quickly in the ears of sphinxes. black and brown secret. Cleaning is done when soiled or on the eve of the exhibition using a cotton swab.
• Sphynx cats love to sunbathe:
  • allow your pet moderate sunbathing, and in a couple of months he will turn into a bright and infinitely beautiful creature;
  • the animal can get sunburned, so gradually accustom it to the sun at midday.
• Sphinxes need to be tempered:
  • physical activity;
  • walks in warm weather.

Health

Adults rarely get sick. Having caught an infection, they quickly come to their senses and remain immune to the disease for the rest of their lives.

This breed must be vaccinated at a young age to avoid viral diseases. For kittens, an inactivated vaccine is ideal.

There are no pathologies during childbirth in sphinxes. A nursing mother is usually overly milky, which can lead to mastitis.

There are 2-5 babies in a litter, usually 3-4. They open their eyes within 3-4 days.

The less fur a kitten has in the first days, the “naked” it will be when it grows up.

Kittens can only bring one headache - severe weaning from their mother's milk. During this period, you need to monitor the babies and, at the first signs of diarrhea, contact a veterinarian - “hairless” cats quickly lose strength from any illness.

Today among Sphynxes there are 3 “pioneer” breeds.

Canadian Sphynx

The ancestor of the Sphynx, a handsome Canadian, is certainly different from other branches of the breed. A significant difference can be noticed both in the appearance and in the maintenance of the pet.

Breed standard

• slim, muscular body;
• rounded croup and chest;
• powerful sides and shoulders;
• wedge-shaped small head;
• long, strong neck;
• prominent cheekbones;
• flat, sometimes slightly convex forehead, 7-9 folds;
• wide bridge of the nose with a short nose;
• pronounced chin;
• large oval eyes, set deep, amber in color;
• huge, widely spaced ears with rounded ends, with an “ear muff” at the base;
• muscular, widely spaced limbs with long fingers;
• straight, thin and movable tail, sometimes with a tassel;
• thick bare skin with folds.

Character

The Canadian Sphynx has a non-offensive character, but the “Canadian” can argue with this. Do not punish the animal, do not even raise your voice - they are very sensitive. The Sphynx cat may refuse to eat as a sign of protest, which will lead to illness.

This type of domestic cat is not very active and prefers cozy, warm places to rest.

Despite their touchiness, they easily get along with cats and dogs.

In addition, they are distinguished by a sharp mind and excellent memory for commands.

1. Keep an eye on your mouth pet, it is an indicator of the state of health.
2. Wipe the folds at least once a day wet wipes to remove the sweat that torments the animal.
3. Rinse your eyes daily Canadian Sphynx with distilled water.
4. Vaccinate adults from infections.
5. Be sure to equip a “dining table” pet with a shallow bowl for food and a slightly deeper bowl for water.
6. Don't forget about the lack of fur– feed the Canadian Sphynx high-calorie food, despite the fact that the breed is omnivorous.

Don Sphynx

The Don and Canadian Sphynxes have some differences.

1. Phenotype.
2. Genotype (three types of hairlessness - flock, brush, naked) - the Don Sphynx completely “undresses” until 1-2 years.
3. The presence of a mustache, curly or broken.
4. More powerful body and protruding head.
5. The ears are set higher.
6. A more balanced psyche.
7. A pronounced paternal instinct.
8. Well-defined eyes of any color.

Character of the Munchkin and care of the breed:

Breed standard

When you look at this animal you want to say “Wow!” However, just look at the description of the breed:

• muscular, proportional body of medium size;
• silky, hot, hairless skin;
• wedge-shaped head outlined by eyebrows and cheekbones;
• flat, folded nose;
• ears set high and leaning forward with rounded tips;
• almond-shaped, narrowly open eyes;
• straight, long limbs, proportional to the body;
• the hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs;
• oval paws;
• long straight tail.

Colors of the Don Sphynx

• white;
• black;
• blue;
• chocolate;
• torby;
• particolor;
• Siamese;
• turtle;
• red;
• lilac;
• cream.

Character

The character of the Don Sphynx is unpretentious, non-conflict and unforgiving.

His psyche is stable, his stamina is increased. It is believed that this breed is devoid of the selfishness inherent in cats.

Such a cat may not be suitable for an always busy owner: it requires increased attention and affection.

Don Sphynxes know how to heal people, thanks to their high positive biofield and healing energy. The pet often senses where it hurts and immediately sits down to “treat”.

Despite the striking differences in appearance and behavior, caring for the Don Sphynx is not particularly different from caring for the Canadian Sphynx.

1. The Don Sphynx needs to be fed in a balanced manner.
2. Hygiene procedures (by the way, The ears of this breed get dirty much slower than those of the Canadian Sphynx).
3. Fresh air and outdoor games.

Sphynx Peterbald

The Peterbald, which appeared by crossing a Don Sphynx cat and an Oriental cat, will especially appeal to lovers of Orientals: this is evidenced by their appearance.

Breed standard

• thin short undercoat on the skin (feels like suede);
• wedge-shaped, small head;
• long nose, straight profile;
• small almond-shaped eyes, blue or green;
• slender but strong figure;
• paws are elastic;
• limbs are thin and tall;
• fingers are movable;
• big ears;
• proud “posture”;
• In general, the Peterbald is a “hairless” Oriental cat.

Colors

• lilac;
• chocolate;
• color point;
• blue;
• cream.

Character

The St. Petersburg Sphynx can surpass even its Don relative in terms of “level of tenderness.” This breed is extremely affectionate to its owners, and easily finds language even with unfamiliar people.

Peterbald is the same child: he loves to sit on your lap, sleep and eat next to his owner, expressing his devotion to him in every possible way.

Absolutely not an arrogant breed, devoid of cat egoism. No signs of aggression were noticed.

Peterbalds love to frolic with people and other animals and can play with anything. Particularly noteworthy are his hypnotic eyes, expressing trust and boundless love for the owner.

The St. Petersburg Sphynx is “pampered” not only inside, but also outside: its skin requires special care.

1. Like other sphinxes, he needs periodic baths or rubdowns due to increased sweating.
2. In the cold freezes more than others breeds
3. Peterbalds love to bask near the radiator, which is fraught with burns.
4. Sensitive The skin of this breed is extremely susceptible to radiation, mechanical damage and drying out. For protection, lubricate your pet's skin with baby oil.

The diet of a naked cat should include:

• high-quality prepared feed;
• meat;
• eggs;
• fish;
• cereals;
• cottage cheese.

In a pregnant Sphynx-Peterbald cat, the pigmentation of moles and “winter spots” (pigment from tanning in the folds of the skin) may increase; this is normal.

The Sphinx of Giza is one of the oldest, largest and most mysterious monuments ever created by man. Disputes about its origin are still ongoing. We've collected 10 little-known facts about the majestic monument in the Sahara Desert.

1. The Great Sphinx of Giza is not a Sphinx

Experts say that the Egyptian Sphinx cannot be called a traditional image of the Sphinx. In classical Greek mythology, the sphinx was described as a creature that had the body of a lion, the head of a woman, and the wings of a bird. There is actually a sculpture of an androsphinx at Giza, as it has no wings.

2. Initially, the sculpture had several other names

The ancient Egyptians did not originally call this giant creature the "Great Sphinx". The text on the "Dream Stele", dating from around 1400 BC, refers to the Sphinx as the "Statue of the Great Khepri". When the future pharaoh Thutmose IV slept next to her, he had a dream in which the god Khepri-Ra-Atum came to him and asked him to free the statue from the sand, and in return promised that Thutmose would become the ruler of all Egypt. Thutmose IV unearthed the statue, which had been covered with sand over centuries, which then became known as Horem-Akhet, which translates as “Horus on the horizon.” Medieval Egyptians called the Sphinx "balkhib" and "bilhou".

3. Nobody knows who built the Sphinx

Even today, people do not know the exact age of this statue, and modern archaeologists argue about who could have created it. The most popular theory is that the Sphinx arose during the reign of Khafre (the fourth dynasty of the Old Kingdom), i.e. The age of the statue dates back to approximately 2500 BC.

This pharaoh is credited with creating the Pyramid of Khafre, as well as the necropolis of Giza and a number of ritual temples. The proximity of these structures to the Sphinx has prompted a number of archaeologists to believe that it was Khafre who ordered the construction of the majestic monument with his face.

Other scientists believe that the statue is much older than the pyramid. They argue that the face and head of the statue show signs of obvious water damage and theorize that the Great Sphinx already existed during an era when the region faced extensive flooding (6th millennium BC).

4. Whoever built the Sphinx ran away from it headlong after the construction was completed

American archaeologist Mark Lehner and Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass discovered large stone blocks, tool sets and even fossilized dinners under a layer of sand. This clearly indicates that the workers were in such a hurry to get away that they did not even take their tools with them.

5. The laborers who built the statue were well fed

Most scholars think that the people who built the Sphinx were slaves. However, their diet suggests something completely different. Excavations led by Mark Lehner revealed that workers regularly dined on beef, lamb and goat.

6. The Sphinx was once covered in paint

Although the Sphinx is now a sandy gray color, it was once completely covered in bright paint. Remnants of red paint can still be found on the face of the statue, and there are traces of blue and yellow paint on the Sphinx's body.

7. The sculpture was buried under sand for a long time

The Great Sphinx of Giza fell victim to the quicksand of the Egyptian desert several times during its long existence. The first known restoration of the Sphinx, which was almost completely buried under sand, occurred shortly before the 14th century BC, thanks to Thutmose IV, who soon after became an Egyptian pharaoh. Three millennia later, the statue was again buried under the sands. Until the 19th century, the statue's front paws were deep below the desert surface. The Sphinx was completely excavated in the 1920s.

8. The Sphinx lost her headdress in the 1920s

During the last restoration, part of the Great Sphinx's famous headdress fell off and its head and neck were seriously damaged. The Egyptian government hired a team of engineers to restore the statue in 1931. But that restoration used soft limestone, and in 1988, a 320-kilogram piece of the shoulder fell off, nearly killing a German reporter. After this, the Egyptian government again began restoration work.

9. After the construction of the Sphinx, there was a cult that worshiped it for a long time

Thanks to the mystical vision of Thutmose IV, who became pharaoh after unearthing a giant statue, a whole cult of Sphinx worship arose in the 14th century BC. The pharaohs who ruled during the New Kingdom even built new temples from which the Great Sphinx could be seen and worshiped.

10. The Egyptian sphinx is much kinder than the Greek one

The Sphinx's modern reputation as a cruel creature comes from Greek mythology, not Egyptian mythology. In Greek myths, the Sphinx is mentioned in connection with a meeting with Oedipus, to whom he asked a supposedly unsolvable riddle. In ancient Egyptian culture, the Sphinx was considered more benevolent.

11. It’s not Napoleon’s fault that the Sphinx doesn’t have a nose

The mystery of the Great Sphinx's missing nose has given rise to all sorts of myths and theories. One of the most common legends says that Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the nose of the statue to be broken off in a fit of pride. However, early sketches of the Sphinx show that the statue lost its nose before the birth of the French emperor.

12. The Sphinx was once bearded

Today, the remains of the Great Sphinx's beard, which was removed from the statue due to severe erosion, are kept in the British Museum and in the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, established in Cairo in 1858. However, French archaeologist Vasil Dobrev claims that the statue was not bearded from the very beginning, and the beard was added later. Dobrev argues that removing the beard, if it had been a component of the statue to begin with, would have damaged the statue's chin.

13. The Great Sphinx is the most ancient statue, but not the most ancient sphinx

The Great Sphinx of Giza is considered the oldest monumental sculpture in human history. If the statue is considered to date from Khafre's reign, the smaller sphinxes depicting his half-brother Djedefre and sister Netefere II are older.

14. Sphinx - the largest statue

The Sphinx, which is 72 meters long and 20 meters high, is considered the largest monolithic statue on the planet.

15. Several astronomical theories are associated with the Sphinx

The mystery of the Great Sphinx of Giza has led to a number of theories about the ancient Egyptians' supernatural understanding of the cosmos. Some scientists, such as Lehner, believe that the Sphinx with the pyramids of Giza is a giant machine for capturing and processing solar energy. Another theory notes the coincidence of the Sphinx, the pyramids and the Nile River with the stars of the constellations Leo and Orion.

Name the most unusual cat breed you know. Surely most of those who answered said that it was a sphinx. These cats have been leading the exoticism rating for a long time, and they are not going to give up their position. Hairless cats are popular all over the world, they have millions of fans, and millions of anti-fans - yes, not everyone loves and understands sphinxes. Their appearance causes controversy; it is very unusual. If you are one of the exotic lovers and are attracted to the Sphynx cat breed, then this article will be useful for you. You will learn the history of the breed, interesting facts, get acquainted with a description of the character of hairless cats, and find information on care and maintenance.

History of the breed

When you mention the Sphinx breed, Egypt immediately appears. But in fact, hairless cats have no direct connection to this ancient country. There is only an assumption that cats without fur existed already in ancient times; scientists cite rock paintings as proof. As you know, in Egypt cats were in the role of a deity, so it is not surprising that there are a lot of images of these animals there.

The most plausible pictures were found in Mexico, among the Aztecs - this people definitely knew and loved hairless cats. In addition, we were able to see these ancient animals with our own eyes and capture them in photographs - these were Mexican hairless cats. Unfortunately, the breed disappeared at the beginning of the 20th century, but before that it created a real sensation at American exhibitions. These cats were somewhat different from modern sphinxes in body type, and most importantly, during the cold season, their fur partially grew back.

One of the ancestors of the modern Sphynx was born in Canada in 1966. An ordinary cat gave birth to a hairless kitten - this happens, since the absence of hair is, in fact, a genetic mutation. Then, in Canada, it happened spontaneously. The owner kept the unusual cat for herself, and when he grew up, she brought him together with his mother to get another bald offspring. The experiment was a success and hairless kittens were born.

Around the same time, the same story happened somewhere, and so by the beginning of the 70s there were already two branches of hairless cats. Two are better than one, but still very, very little for selection. Due to the lack of “staff”, breeding the breed was difficult, kittens died, cats got sick - fresh blood was needed. Several more times, by chance, as a result of a spontaneous mutation, hairless kittens appeared, and this saved the situation. Soon, several animals were sent to Europe to breed a separate branch, where they began to be crossed with the Devon Rex breed, which was closest in parameters.

The breed was recognized; moreover, today there are seven varieties of Sphynxes in the world.

The skin of Sphynx cats is covered with folds and wrinkles. If you look closely, you can see a strong resemblance to human skin. It is also interesting that cats sweat all over their bodies. Sweat has a specific smell and leaves dark spots on the animal’s body.
The body of hairless cats is very hot. It's all about the absence of wool - the body directly gives off heat. Therefore, despite their warm body, sphinxes must be protected from the cold. They love to bask on the radiator or under a table lamp - it is necessary to create conditions for them in which the cat could always find a warm and cozy place. Keep in mind that your pet can get sunburned in the sun! Control your sunbathing and get used to tanning gradually.
The less hair and fluff there is on a kitten, the more bald the adult cat will be.
Sphinxes are very difficult to tolerate any disease, they quickly develop dehydration, and quickly lose strength. At the first sign of a serious illness, it is recommended to take the animal to the veterinarian.
Sphynxes are devoid of hair, but in some places it is partially retained or grows back due to hormonal surges. There are hairs or fluff on the muzzle and head, paws, and at the tip of the tail.

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Sphinx character

Sphinxes have a versatile and rich character. These are smart, intelligent animals that show a complete understanding of the words and requests of the owner, and easily remember simple commands and their name. Hairless cats prefer to lead an active lifestyle; they like to follow their owner, overcome obstacles, and jump from one object to another. There is something doggy about them, they also love to play, fetch objects, they become very attached to their owner, miss him, and seek companionship.

The breed is considered decorative, so cats have almost no hunting instinct. They get along well with other animals and are not afraid of large dogs. They are kind and affectionate, but sometimes they can turn into a real fury, showing their teeth and claws to the enemy. Each individual has character traits; behavior is not always a character trait of the breed.

The owners of sphinxes say that the animals seem to understand that they are completely dependent on humans and are grateful to him for his care. This breed of cat lacks not only fur, but also whiskers, the most important cat “device”. If you find yourself on the street or in the wild, the sphinx will die almost immediately.

Varieties of the Sphynx breed

Today there are seven varieties of the Sphynx breed. Three of them are called pioneers - the main branches of the breed that arose as a result of spontaneous mutation, naturally. The rest are a product of selection; they were bred later.

As a result of spontaneous mutations, the following appeared:

• Canadian Sphynx;
• Don Sphinx;
• Cohona (rubber, Hawaiian hairless)

As a result of breeding programs, the following were developed:

• The Peterbald was obtained by crossing the Don Sphynx and an Oriental cat.
• Minskin, the Canadian Sphynx, Munchkin, Devon Rex and Burmese were used for breeding.
• Bambinle is a Canadian Sphynx and a Munchkin.
• Ukrainian Levkoy was obtained by crossing the Don Sphynx, Peterbald, Oriental, Scottish Fold, Persian, and domestic cats.

Sphynx care

Sphynxes sweat all over their bodies, sweat appears on the skin and remains in the form of a dark coating. If your cat gets dirty very quickly, then perhaps you need to reconsider its diet. Clean the skin with a damp soft sponge. You can bathe your cat, but not more than twice a month. It is recommended to use low acidity shampoo. After bathing, the cat is thoroughly dried and taken to a warm, dry place.

Sphinxes must be protected from cold and drafts. The optimal temperature is considered to be 20-25 degrees; at lower thermometer readings, the cat must be insulated by putting a suit on it.

Dark secretion accumulates inside the ears; it is periodically cleaned with a cotton swab.
The cat's claws are regularly trimmed, right to the tip, since in an apartment it is impossible to sharpen them well. Long claws can damage the animal's delicate skin.

Adult Sphynx cats rarely get sick; kittens are vaccinated, preferably with live vaccines. Lactating cats often produce too much milk and this leads to the development of mastitis.

Kittens stay with their mother for a long time; they need to grow up and get stronger. Kittens selected early may die.

According to many studies, the Egyptian Sphinx hides even more mysteries than the Great Pyramids. No one knows for sure when and for what purpose this gigantic sculpture was built.

Vanishing Sphinx

It is generally accepted that the Sphinx was erected during the construction of the Pyramid of Khafre. However, in the ancient papyri relating to the construction of the Great Pyramids there is no mention of it. Moreover, we know that the ancient Egyptians meticulously recorded all the expenses associated with the construction of religious buildings, but economic documents related to the construction of the Sphinx have never been found.

In the 5th century BC. e. The pyramids of Giza were visited by Herodotus, who described in detail all the details of their construction. He wrote down “everything he saw and heard in Egypt,” but did not say a word about the Sphinx.

Before Herodotus, Hecataeus of Miletus visited Egypt, and after him, Strabo. Their records are detailed, but there is no mention of the Sphinx there either. Could the Greeks have missed a sculpture 20 meters high and 57 meters wide?
The answer to this riddle can be found in the work of the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder “Natural History”, who mentions that in his time (1st century AD) the Sphinx was once again cleared of sands brought from the western part of the desert. Indeed, the Sphinx was regularly “freed” from sand deposits until the 20th century.

Older than the pyramids

Restoration work, which began to be carried out in connection with the emergency condition of the Sphinx, began to lead scientists to believe that the Sphinx may be older than previously thought. To check this, Japanese archaeologists, led by Professor Sakuji Yoshimura, first illuminated the Cheops pyramid using an echolocator, and then examined the sculpture in a similar way. Their conclusion was striking - the stones of the Sphinx are older than those of the pyramid. It was not about the age of the breed itself, but about the time of its processing.

Later, the Japanese were replaced by a team of hydrologists - their findings also became a sensation. On the sculpture they found traces of erosion caused by large flows of water. The first assumption that appeared in the press was that in ancient times the bed of the Nile passed in a different place and washed the rock from which the Sphinx was hewn.
The guesses of hydrologists are even bolder: “Erosion is rather a trace not of the Nile, but of a flood - a mighty flood of water.” Scientists came to the conclusion that the flow of water went from north to south, and the approximate date of the disaster was 8 thousand years BC. e.

British scientists, repeating hydrological studies of the rock from which the Sphinx is made, pushed back the date of the flood to 12 thousand years BC. e. This is generally consistent with the dating of the Flood, which, according to most scientists, occurred around 8-10 thousand BC. e.

What is sick with the Sphinx?

Arab sages, amazed by the majesty of the Sphinx, said that the giant is timeless. But over the past millennia, the monument has suffered a fair amount, and, first of all, man is to blame for this.
At first, the Mamluks practiced shooting accuracy at the Sphinx; their initiative was supported by Napoleonic soldiers. One of the rulers of Egypt ordered the sculpture’s nose to be broken off, and the British stole the giant’s stone beard and took it to the British Museum.

In 1988, a huge block of stone broke off from the Sphinx and fell with a roar. They weighed her and were horrified - 350 kg. This fact has caused UNESCO the most serious concern. It was decided to gather a council of representatives from a variety of specialties to find out the reasons for the destruction of the ancient structure.
As a result of a comprehensive examination, scientists discovered hidden and extremely dangerous cracks in the head of the Sphinx; in addition, they found that external cracks sealed with low-quality cement are also dangerous - this creates a threat of rapid erosion. The Sphinx's paws were in no less deplorable condition.

According to experts, the Sphinx is primarily harmed by human activity: exhaust gases from automobile engines and the acrid smoke of Cairo factories penetrate into the pores of the statue, which gradually destroys it. Scientists say that the Sphinx is seriously ill.
Hundreds of millions of dollars are needed to restore the ancient monument. There is no such money. In the meantime, the Egyptian authorities are restoring the sculpture on their own.

Mysterious face

Among most Egyptologists, there is a firm belief that the appearance of the Sphinx depicts the face of the IV dynasty pharaoh Khafre. This confidence cannot be shaken by anything - neither by the absence of any evidence of a connection between the sculpture and the pharaoh, nor by the fact that the head of the Sphinx was repeatedly altered.
The well-known expert on Giza monuments, Dr. I. Edwards, is convinced that Pharaoh Khafre himself is visible in the face of the Sphinx. “Although the face of the Sphinx is somewhat mutilated, it still gives us a portrait of Khafre himself,” the scientist concludes.
Interestingly, the body of Khafre himself was never discovered, and therefore statues are used to compare the Sphinx and the pharaoh. First of all, we are talking about a sculpture carved from black diorite, which is kept in the Cairo Museum - it is from this that the appearance of the Sphinx is verified.

To confirm or refute the identification of the Sphinx with Khafre, a group of independent researchers involved the famous New York police officer Frank Domingo, who created portraits to identify suspects. After several months of work, Domingo concluded: “These two works of art depict two different individuals. The frontal proportions - and especially the angles and facial projections when viewed from the side - convince me that the Sphinx is not Khafre."

Mother of fear

Egyptian archaeologist Rudwan Al-Shamaa believes that the Sphinx has a female couple and she is hidden under a layer of sand. The Great Sphinx is often called the "Father of Fear". According to the archaeologist, if there is a “Father of Fear,” then there must also be a “Mother of Fear.”
In his reasoning, Ash-Shamaa relies on the way of thinking of the ancient Egyptians, who firmly followed the principle of symmetry. In his opinion, the lonely figure of the Sphinx looks very strange.

The surface of the place where, according to the scientist, the second sculpture should be located, rises several meters above the Sphinx. “It is logical to assume that the statue is simply hidden from our eyes under a layer of sand,” Al-Shamaa is convinced.
The archaeologist gives several arguments in support of his theory. Ash-Shamaa recalls that between the front paws of the Sphinx there is a granite stele on which two statues are depicted; There is also a limestone tablet that says that one of the statues was struck by lightning and destroyed.

Chamber of Secrets

In one of the ancient Egyptian treatises on behalf of the goddess Isis, it is reported that the god Thoth placed “sacred books” that contain “the secrets of Osiris” in a secret place, and then cast a spell on this place so that knowledge would remain “undiscovered until Heaven will not give birth to creatures who will be worthy of this gift.”
Some researchers are still confident in the existence of a “secret room”. They recall how Edgar Cayce predicted that one day in Egypt, under the right paw of the Sphinx, a room called the “Hall of Evidence” or “Hall of Chronicles” would be found. The information stored in the “secret room” will tell humanity about a highly developed civilization that existed millions of years ago.
In 1989, a group of Japanese scientists using a radar method discovered a narrow tunnel under the left paw of the Sphinx, extending towards the Pyramid of Khafre, and a cavity of impressive size was found northwest of the Queen’s Chamber. However, the Egyptian authorities did not allow the Japanese to conduct a more detailed study of the underground premises.

Research by American geophysicist Thomas Dobecki showed that under the paws of the Sphinx there is a large rectangular chamber. But in 1993, its work was suddenly suspended by local authorities. Since that time, the Egyptian government has officially prohibited geological or seismological research around the Sphinx.