Metrics for the Extreme Classes
General Note on Measuring Instruments
Cat clubs that stage cat shows are mostly running as voluntary organisations with low budgets. For that reason the measuring instruments prescribed are not very expensive. They should however produce reliable measurements within an acceptable level of accuracy acceptable in the cat fancy.
General Note on Age
The Extreme Cat classes can be used at the discretion of the cat clubs in either an umbrella class covering both adults and kittens, or with an age separation between adults and kittens.
In the umbrella classes it can expected that the two extreme winners on the show will always be a kitten and an adult.
However, on the SAC@TS Breeders Group website, the ages will be logged, as well as the breeds, so that breeders can obtain data to compare.
In the umbrella classes it can expected that the two extreme winners on the show will always be a kitten and an adult.
However, on the SAC@TS Breeders Group website, the ages will be logged, as well as the breeds, so that breeders can obtain data to compare.
Definitions
- Calibrate : to adjust or mark (something, such as a measuring device) so that it can be used in an accurate and exact way.
- Measurer : a person that performs the act of measuring.
- Method : the technique to be followed.
- Metric : a standard of measurement.
Class 1:
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Measuring Instruments
How to Measure Tail Length There are different ways to measure tail length in small mammals. In all cases, the tail must be straightened, if possible, but not stretched. To measure cat tail length, it is common practice to use a method called "Mammal Standard: Tail length "from above" (2). In this method, the measurement is from the tail's junction to the body (the tail base) to the tip of the tail. Measurement is taken on the back (dorsal) side of tail, from its root (junction with the body). The junction is the place where the lower (ventral) tail surface bends towards the anus. Method 1: Cat lying on belly or standing
Method 2: Cat lying on back
Metric
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Class 2:
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Measuring Instruments
How to Measure Ear Size Extreme Cats will use the Small Mammal standard as explained on the Loris Conservation Group's website (4). In this method measurement is from the base of the notch below the ear opening (lower rim of auditory canal or "meatus") to the most distant point of the margin of the pinna (external ear), measured with calipers, dividers or a ruler. Hairs extending the tip of the ear are not included. Method
Metric:
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Class 3:
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Measuring Instruments
How to Measure Weight There are different scales available to measure the weight of small animals. For practical purposes in the Extreme Cats fun classes, the following method will be used.
Metric:
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Class 4:
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Measuring Instruments
How to Measure Total Length The small mammal standard (USA) [2] is: animal lying flat, but not stretched on the back, the nose directed forwards, the tail lying straight and flat on the surface. Measurement from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail (terminal tail hairs not included). Method
Metric
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Class 5:
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Measuring Instruments
How to Measure Nose Size Nose length in primates can only accurately be determined in dead specimens because exact determination of one of the measuring points is impossible without an incision in the soft tissue (Schultz 1929). In Extreme Cats, the nose length will be measured from the tip of the nose to a the point Method
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Metric:
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Class 6:
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How to determine largest litter size
Litters between age 10 weeks and 4 months can be entered is Litter Classes on WCF Shows. |
References
- Loris Conservation Group : http://www.loris-conservation.org/, in particular their metrics for standardized body measurement for taxonomic purposes.
- Trunk and Tail measurements:
http://www.loris-conservation.org/database/population_database/Standards_for_Measurement/08a-figures_trunk_tail_measurements.html - Image on the Loris website for trunk and tail measurements, taken from (Schultz, A. H., 1929):
www.loris-conservation.org/database/population_database/Standards_for_Measurement/08_a_tail_measurements.png - Head and ear measurements:
http://www.loris-conservation.org/database/population_database/Standards_for_Measurement/09a-figures_head_ear_measurements.html#ear_point - Image on the Loris website for head and ear measurements, taken from (Schultz, A. H., 1929): http://www.loris-conservation.org/database/population_database/Standards_for_Measurement/09_c_Head_with_soft_tissue_ear_measurements.png
- Schultz, A. H., 1929: The technique of measuring the outer body of human fetuses and of primates in general. Contributions to Embryology 117: 213-257.