Humans and cats have existed together and shared their homes for a very long time. It seems there is always more to learn about our beloved feline companions. There are some rumors floating around about coat colors, especially in orange cats. It is true that orange cats are all tabby cats, but all tabby cats are not orange. It is also believed that all orange cats are male, but is there any truth to that? While there may be some reason for this rumor, it is not entirely true. Most orange cats are male, but not all. The reasoning all comes down to genetic makeup and it’s quite interesting. Let’s dig into the details. The Role of Genetics The reason that a cat has a certain coat color or pattern is a result of their genetic makeup and the chromosomes they inherit. Melanin is the ultimate deciding factor in the final coat color, an orange coat results from one gene changing an expression of another gene, which can change the black pigmentation into orange. A tabby cat’s color is dependent upon a gender-linked gene. For a female cat to be orange, she must inherit the orange gene from each parent, a total of two orange genes. A male cat only requires one of the orange genes to come out orange. Because of this, approximately 80% of orange cats are male and 20% female. Image Credit by Navigirl from Pixabay Some Other Facts About Orange Cats
A Pigment Called Pheomelanin Causes Their Color – Orange cats come in different color variations, ranging from a deeper reddish-orange color to a much paler yellowish to cream color. The reason for this is due to a pigment called pheomelanin. Pheomelanin is also the reason for red-headed humans. Interestingly, another much rarer find are brown, chocolate-colored cats that are a result of another pigment known as eumelanin, which is responsible for black and brunette hair in humans.
Orange Tabby Cats Are Not a Breed – Most people are unaware that a tabby cat is not a specific breed of cat, but simply a coat pattern. The term “tabby” hails from Baghdad, Iraq in reference to rug patterns, which is how this coat pattern got the name.
Orange Tabbies Have 4 Different Patterns – Orange tabbies have four different pattern types. Because all orange cats are tabby cats, none of them will come in a solid-colored coat.
Classic Tabby- The classic pattern gives a tie-dye look with the swirls, blotches, and a marbled look to the coat.
Mackerel Tabby- Mackerel Tabbies are also known as striped tabbies. They have the distinct “M” shape on the forehead and stripes on the body.
Spotted Tabby- The spotted tabby is not too difficult to picture, rather than the classic swirls and blotches, the pattern is broken up and spotted.
Ticked Tabby- Ticked tabbies do not have the traditional striped, spotted, or swirling pattern and they are the most likely pattern type to be mistakenly identified as non-tabby. They do have the tabby markings on their face but the normal patterns on the body are very broken up.
Orange Cats Have Great Personalities Surveys have suggested that orange cats are typically very friendly and affectionate cats. This may have a deeper meaning in science, however. Though research is not definitive, male cats have been observed as being slightly friendlier than most female cats. This would give orange cats the advantage since more of them are male. Image Credit: Okssi, Shutterstock Purebred Cats with Orange Tabby Breed Standard The orange tabby pattern has been recognized as a breed standard coat color in several of the registered purebred cat breeds.
Abyssinian
American Bobtail
Bengal
British Shorthair
Chausie
Devon Rex
Egyptian Mau
Exotic Shorthair
Maine Coon
Munchkin
Persian
Scottish Fold
Somali
Orange Tabbies Are Quite Famous When we think of an orange tabby cat, Garfield is probably the first to come to mind. From the comic strips to the television screen, Garfield is a beloved and iconic lasagna-loving fictitious cat that is responsible for bringing popularity to orange tabbies. In addition to Garfield, you’ve got Morris from 9Lives cat food, Orangey from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Milo from Milo and Otis, Tonto from Harry and Tonto, Jones from Alien, Crookshanks from the Harry Potter series, Puss in Boots from Shrek 2, Spot from Star Trek, Orion from Men in Black, and Goose from Captain Marvel. The list could probably go on much longer, but it’s easy to see that Hollywood is keen on our beloved orange tabby cats. Image Credit: Piqsels
Conclusion Since females require two orange genes, one from each parent to take on the orange coloration, males only require one. This results in about 80% of orange cats being male and the leftover 20% being female. So, the answer to our question is that most orange cats are in fact male, but not all. We also learned some extra interesting facts about the orange tabby cat and the uniqueness behind their pigmentation and coat pattern. Regardless of gender, our love for orange cats remains fully intact!
Featured Image Credit: Image by Adina Voicu, Pixabay
Humans and cats have existed together and shared their homes for a very long time. It seems there is always more to learn about our beloved feline companions. There are some rumors floating around about coat colors, especially in orange cats.
It is true that orange cats are all tabby cats, but all tabby cats are not orange. It is also believed that all orange cats are male, but is there any truth to that?
While there may be some reason for this rumor, it is not entirely true. Most orange cats are male, but not all. The reasoning all comes down to genetic makeup and it’s quite interesting. Let’s dig into the details.
The Role of Genetics
The reason that a cat has a certain coat color or pattern is a result of their genetic makeup and the chromosomes they inherit. Melanin is the ultimate deciding factor in the final coat color, an orange coat results from one gene changing an expression of another gene, which can change the black pigmentation into orange.
A tabby cat’s color is dependent upon a gender-linked gene. For a female cat to be orange, she must inherit the orange gene from each parent, a total of two orange genes. A male cat only requires one of the orange genes to come out orange. Because of this, approximately 80% of orange cats are male and 20% female.
Some Other Facts About Orange Cats
A Pigment Called Pheomelanin Causes Their Color – Orange cats come in different color variations, ranging from a deeper reddish-orange color to a much paler yellowish to cream color. The reason for this is due to a pigment called pheomelanin. Pheomelanin is also the reason for red-headed humans. Interestingly, another much rarer find are brown, chocolate-colored cats that are a result of another pigment known as eumelanin, which is responsible for black and brunette hair in humans.
Orange Tabby Cats Are Not a Breed – Most people are unaware that a tabby cat is not a specific breed of cat, but simply a coat pattern. The term “tabby” hails from Baghdad, Iraq in reference to rug patterns, which is how this coat pattern got the name.
Orange Tabbies Have 4 Different Patterns – Orange tabbies have four different pattern types. Because all orange cats are tabby cats, none of them will come in a solid-colored coat.
Classic Tabby- The classic pattern gives a tie-dye look with the swirls, blotches, and a marbled look to the coat.
Mackerel Tabby- Mackerel Tabbies are also known as striped tabbies. They have the distinct “M” shape on the forehead and stripes on the body.
Spotted Tabby- The spotted tabby is not too difficult to picture, rather than the classic swirls and blotches, the pattern is broken up and spotted.
Ticked Tabby- Ticked tabbies do not have the traditional striped, spotted, or swirling pattern and they are the most likely pattern type to be mistakenly identified as non-tabby. They do have the tabby markings on their face but the normal patterns on the body are very broken up.
Orange Cats Have Great Personalities
Surveys have suggested that orange cats are typically very friendly and affectionate cats. This may have a deeper meaning in science, however. Though research is not definitive, male cats have been observed as being slightly friendlier than most female cats. This would give orange cats the advantage since more of them are male.
A Pigment Called Pheomelanin Causes Their Color – Orange cats come in different color variations, ranging from a deeper reddish-orange color to a much paler yellowish to cream color. The reason for this is due to a pigment called pheomelanin. Pheomelanin is also the reason for red-headed humans. Interestingly, another much rarer find are brown, chocolate-colored cats that are a result of another pigment known as eumelanin, which is responsible for black and brunette hair in humans.
Orange Tabby Cats Are Not a Breed – Most people are unaware that a tabby cat is not a specific breed of cat, but simply a coat pattern. The term “tabby” hails from Baghdad, Iraq in reference to rug patterns, which is how this coat pattern got the name.
Orange Tabbies Have 4 Different Patterns – Orange tabbies have four different pattern types. Because all orange cats are tabby cats, none of them will come in a solid-colored coat.
Classic Tabby- The classic pattern gives a tie-dye look with the swirls, blotches, and a marbled look to the coat.
Mackerel Tabby- Mackerel Tabbies are also known as striped tabbies. They have the distinct “M” shape on the forehead and stripes on the body.
Spotted Tabby- The spotted tabby is not too difficult to picture, rather than the classic swirls and blotches, the pattern is broken up and spotted.
Ticked Tabby- Ticked tabbies do not have the traditional striped, spotted, or swirling pattern and they are the most likely pattern type to be mistakenly identified as non-tabby. They do have the tabby markings on their face but the normal patterns on the body are very broken up.
A Pigment Called Pheomelanin Causes Their Color – Orange cats come in different color variations, ranging from a deeper reddish-orange color to a much paler yellowish to cream color. The reason for this is due to a pigment called pheomelanin. Pheomelanin is also the reason for red-headed humans. Interestingly, another much rarer find are brown, chocolate-colored cats that are a result of another pigment known as eumelanin, which is responsible for black and brunette hair in humans.
Orange Tabby Cats Are Not a Breed – Most people are unaware that a tabby cat is not a specific breed of cat, but simply a coat pattern. The term “tabby” hails from Baghdad, Iraq in reference to rug patterns, which is how this coat pattern got the name.
Orange Tabbies Have 4 Different Patterns – Orange tabbies have four different pattern types. Because all orange cats are tabby cats, none of them will come in a solid-colored coat.
Classic Tabby- The classic pattern gives a tie-dye look with the swirls, blotches, and a marbled look to the coat.
Mackerel Tabby- Mackerel Tabbies are also known as striped tabbies. They have the distinct “M” shape on the forehead and stripes on the body.
Spotted Tabby- The spotted tabby is not too difficult to picture, rather than the classic swirls and blotches, the pattern is broken up and spotted.
Ticked Tabby- Ticked tabbies do not have the traditional striped, spotted, or swirling pattern and they are the most likely pattern type to be mistakenly identified as non-tabby. They do have the tabby markings on their face but the normal patterns on the body are very broken up.
Purebred Cats with Orange Tabby Breed Standard
The orange tabby pattern has been recognized as a breed standard coat color in several of the registered purebred cat breeds.
Abyssinian
American Bobtail
Bengal
British Shorthair
Chausie
Devon Rex
Egyptian Mau
Exotic Shorthair
Maine Coon
Munchkin
Persian
Scottish Fold
Somali
Orange Tabbies Are Quite Famous
When we think of an orange tabby cat, Garfield is probably the first to come to mind. From the comic strips to the television screen, Garfield is a beloved and iconic lasagna-loving fictitious cat that is responsible for bringing popularity to orange tabbies.
Abyssinian
American Bobtail
Bengal
British Shorthair
Chausie
Devon Rex
Egyptian Mau
Exotic Shorthair
Maine Coon
Munchkin
Persian
Scottish Fold
Somali
- Abyssinian
- American Bobtail
- Bengal
- British Shorthair
- Chausie
- Devon Rex
- Egyptian Mau
- Exotic Shorthair
- Maine Coon
- Munchkin
- Persian
- Scottish Fold
- Somali
In addition to Garfield, you’ve got Morris from 9Lives cat food, Orangey from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Milo from Milo and Otis, Tonto from Harry and Tonto, Jones from Alien, Crookshanks from the Harry Potter series, Puss in Boots from Shrek 2, Spot from Star Trek, Orion from Men in Black, and Goose from Captain Marvel.
The list could probably go on much longer, but it’s easy to see that Hollywood is keen on our beloved orange tabby cats.
Conclusion
Since females require two orange genes, one from each parent to take on the orange coloration, males only require one. This results in about 80% of orange cats being male and the leftover 20% being female. So, the answer to our question is that most orange cats are in fact male, but not all.
We also learned some extra interesting facts about the orange tabby cat and the uniqueness behind their pigmentation and coat pattern. Regardless of gender, our love for orange cats remains fully intact!
Featured Image Credit: Image by Adina Voicu, Pixabay
