Have you ever wondered why there are far more male ginger cats than females or the genetic story behind tortoiseshells and calicos?
After more than a century of curiosity, scientists in the USA and Japan have finally uncovered the genetic secrets behind these classic feline coat colors.
They have confirmed that the vibrant orange coat in cats, ginger, is linked to a gene on the X chromosome, called the Orange gene.
This discovery supports a theory proposed in 1912 by American geneticist Clarence Cook Little. He suggested that coat colour is tied to the X chromosome which means that male cats (with the X and Y gene) can only be either completely orange or non-orange. Females (with two X genes) can inherit both forms of the gene, resulting in the unique mixed patterns seen in tortoiseshells and calicos.
So, why are most gingers male?
Since males only need one copy of the orange gene to express the color, they are more likely to be ginger. Females, on the other hand, require two orange gene copies, which is far less common. This explains why only about 4% of female cats are ginger.
Recent studies have pinpointed the Orange gene’s function. A large DNA deletion in the gene alters when and where it activates, producing orange fur. This gene is also involved in hair follicle development, revealing a new biological pathway for pigment production.
In tortoiseshells and calicos, the gene is activated in some areas and not in others, creating their patchwork coats.
Although a very few male tortoiseshells and calicos occur, they typically have an extra X chromosome, which is very rare. This research highlights the complicated genetics behind these much-loved cat colour variations.
For ginger cat fans and tortie admirers, this discovery answers some age-old questions – and opens doors to exciting new scientific exploration.
Watch this space!