# Maltese (*Canis lupus familiaris*) The Maltese is a small, fluffy dog with a cheerful personality. They love to play and cuddle with their families! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Also known as:** Maltese Dog, Maltese Terrier ![Maltese](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424228/objects/4424.jpg) ## Appearance The Maltese is a small, elegant toy dog, instantly recognizable by its long, flowing, pure white coat that can reach the ground. It has large, dark, expressive eyes and a distinctive black button nose that stands out against its bright fur, giving it a refined and gentle appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Canidae - **Genus:** Canis ## Interesting facts - Ancient Egyptians believed Maltese dogs possessed healing powers! - Roman ladies loved these dogs so much, they carried them in their sleeves! - The Maltese breed is named after the island of Malta, not a country. - Their pure white coat helped them stand out as prized companions for royalty. ## Special abilities - **Super Sniffer:** Maltese dogs can identify many scents because of their strong sense of smell, helping them explore their world. - **Alert Listener:** The Maltese has excellent hearing that helps them detect even tiny sounds, making them good at noticing things. - **Luxurious Hair:** Maltese have hair, not fur, which grows constantly and sheds minimally, making them popular companions. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-25 cm - **Weight:** 1-4 kg - **Lifespan:** 12-15 years - **Speed:** 20 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-5 - **Gestation:** 58-68 days ## Diet & Feeding Maltese are omnivores, mostly eating specially formulated commercial dog food. - **Primary Foods:** commercial dog kibble, cooked lean meats, certain vegetables ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Humans provide shelter, food, and companionship for Maltese. - **Eats:** [Cattle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cattle) (*Bos taurus*) — Beef is a common protein found in their commercial dog food. - **Shelter:** Cat flea (*Ctenocephalides felis*) — Fleas can temporarily live on a Maltese as a host. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always be gentle when playing with a Maltese, as they are small and delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Maltese? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Maltese? 20-25 cm ### How much does Maltese weigh? 1-4 kg ### How long does Maltese live? 12-15 years ### How fast can Maltese move? 20 km/h ### What does Maltese eat? Maltese are omnivores, mostly eating specially formulated commercial dog food. ### How many babies does Maltese usually have? 1-5 ### How long is Maltese's gestation? 58-68 days ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Maltese: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/maltese)