Nature & animals
Van kedisi
The white cat of Lake Van, famous for eyes of two different colours.
The Turkish name
Van kedisi
Recording on its way.
The story
The Van cat is a large, all-white cat from the region around Lake Van in eastern Türkiye. Many have one blue eye and one amber eye, and unlike most cats they are said to enjoy swimming.
The breed is protected, and Van Yüzüncü Yıl University runs a research centre devoted to it. Statues of the cat greet visitors to the city.
At a glance
- Home
- Van, eastern Anatolia
- Known for
- White coat, odd-coloured eyes, a liking for water