[Article] Freaks of nature: We now know just why orange cats are "unique" (newatlas.com)

submitted 5 days ago by BrikoX@lemmy.zip to c/interestingshare@lemmy.zip

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The existence of orange cats dates back to at least the 12th century, but scientists have only had theories that a sex-linked genetic mutation is behind it. Now, new research has pinpointed the exact variant, and it involves a gene that has previously been unknown to impact pigmentation in animals. So while there are other orange-colored mammals, the ginger cat is one of a kind.

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[-] lvxferre@mander.xyz 11 points 5 days ago

Oh. This article reminds me my sister's orange cat, that recently passed away. That guy was a bro, every time I visited my sis he would sit on my lap and ask for petting.

On-topic. This means you can reliably breed cats so the kittens are all orange, or the females are all calico and/or tortoiseshell.

[-] Rhaedas@fedia.io 3 points 4 days ago

All orange I've ever met were loveable. When they weren't bat-shit crazy. Seems to get better as they get older.

[-] lvxferre@mander.xyz 2 points 4 days ago

All orange I’ve ever met were loveable. When they weren’t bat-shit crazy.

That boy was both things. At the same time. Sometimes one because of the other. For example, my sister often says the cat wouldn't leave her alone, while she was styling her own hair; nope, the orange cat had to get his fur styled too. (Petting him with a hand smelling like hair cream was enough.)

[-] SkyezOpen@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

all calico

Abort, abort, do not.

(I love both my calicos but holy shit are they a handful)

[-] lvxferre@mander.xyz 2 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

holy shit are they a handful

So are oranges. And you can get a 25% calico, 75% orange litter. Just imagine the world that could be.

Three panels. The first one shows an orange cat over a door and the door frame, in a funny position, and says "I sees button!". The second frame shows an orange paw pressing a button; it says "touchy button!". The third one shows the explosion resulting of an atomic bomb.