Images provided by Stéphanie Jiminez showcase Narnia, a charming 5-year-old British Shorthair with striking electric blue eyes and a unique gray and black split face. Speculation suggests that Narnia may possess a rare genetic trait known as chimerism.
Stéphanie Jiminez, Narnia’s owner, reveals that further tests are being conducted to confirm Narnia’s status as a chimera cat. In the case of feline chimeras, two embryos merge in the early stages of development, resulting in a cat with cells containing their own DNA as well as that of a separate kitten. Essentially, chimera cats are akin to non-identical twin siblings.
Narnia’s story began on March 28, 2017, at the Chatterie de la Grâce, a cozy cattery located in Paris, France. Stéphanie’s fondness for British Shorthair and British Longhair cats dates back to 2010 when she was captivated by their bear-like appearance and endearing personalities. She describes them as sweet, gentle, and highly intelligent creatures.
Narnia’s father goes by the name Muscari D’Aerlin, a red tabby cat with long hair and unique eyes. His mother, Jeen from the Chatterie de Virvarnon, is a blue British Shorthair. When naming their litter, Stéphanie chose to follow a theme of starting with the letter “N” and being a fan of C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, she decided to name him Narnia.
This two-faced cat was a product of the British Celestia project initiated by Sophie Guittonneau of the Aerlin Cattery and authorized by the Official Book of Feline Origins (LOOF), the sole recognized cat registry in France. The goal of the project was to breed British Shorthairs with striking blue eyes.
Stephanie was fully aware of Narnia’s extraordinary charm and beauty, and she was eager to showcase it to the world. In June of 2016, she made the decision to launch an Instagram page dedicated to him. Stephanie often finds herself having to address the common question of whether Narnia’s stunning appearance is the result of Photoshop or painting. Upon seeing Narnia for the first time, people are often left in awe, exclaiming, “Wow, he is truly incredible.”
As a seasoned show cat, Narnia has taken part in various cat shows across France, Belgium, and Switzerland. Despite his impressive accolades, he remains a gentle and affectionate feline. In fact, Narnia even clinched a prestigious World Bloggers Award in 2019. Despite his friendly nature, Narnia can be quite timid when placed in a new environment. Stephanie and Narnia share a deep bond, with Stephanie affectionately referring to him as her “little baby.”
When Narnia isn’t playing with catnip toys or sneaking bites of mashed potatoes, he enjoys spending time with his lovely wife, Bella. Bella is a stunning British Shorthair with striking brownish-gold eyes. Together, Narnia and Bella have welcomed 9 adorable kittens into their family. While not all of their offspring share Narnia’s distinctive two-toned face, many have inherited his beautiful round blue eyes and white markings. The proud grandparents also have 10 energetic grandchildren.
Adding more charm to their home is Peluche, a mini Lop Plush rabbit who shares living space with Narnia. Initially wary of each other, Narnia and Peluche have now formed a strong bond and are now inseparable. Narnia’s closest companion, however, is Aslan, a fluffy long-haired Chihuahua named after the iconic talking lion in The Chronicles of Narnia series.