Orange cats are famous for being great pets that make people feel very good at home. They have several interesting qualities that make them a very unique type of feline friend. We want to show you some facts about their bodies and their family history. Almost every orange cat in the world has these same traits because of their special orange fur.
They Are Almost Always Male Cats
Almost all orange cats are males because of their DNA. The color is tied to a specific part of their body called a chromosome. Since boys only have one of these parts they turn orange much easier than the girls ever do.
Tabby Is A Coat Pattern Not A Breed
Many people think tabby refers to a specific breed but it actually just describes the pattern of their fur. You can find this beautiful orange pattern across many different cat breeds from Maine Coons to regular domestic shorthairs.
They All Have An M On Their Forehead
If you look closely at an orange tabby you will always see a distinct shape of an M right above their eyes. This marking is a signature feature of the tabby pattern and it has inspired many ancient legends.
They Often Develop Cute Little Freckles
Orange cats are very prone to getting tiny black freckles on their noses and around their lips as they get older. This happens because of a harmless condition called lentigo which is extremely common in cats with this fur color.
The Color Comes From A Specific Pigment
The bright ginger color of these cats is created by a specific pigment called pheomelanin. This is actually the exact same pigment that causes red hair in humans.
They Make Up Many Famous Pop Culture Cats
Hollywood loves to use orange cats for big roles. You can find them in many old stories and new films. Everyone knows Garfield the cat because he is orange. They are very popular because they look so nice. These cats are real stars in our culture.
