![]() Interestingly, orange tabby cats are usually male (about 20-25% of orange tabby cats are female).Ĭlassic tabbies have bold, swirling patterns, mackerel tabbies have narrow stripes, and spotted tabbies have large or small spots. The most familiar tabby coats are black, but there are variations in the pigment, resulting in black, orange, and gray tabbies. ![]() Essentially, the tabby pattern comes in the cat's DNA, and the "M" marking is a part of the pattern. However, the explanation lies within the genes. Tabbies Have a Characteristic "M" on Their ForeheadsĬountless legends surround the characteristic "M" that tabby cats have on their foreheads. So "tabby cat" refers to a category of cats, not a recognized breed.ģ. Tabbies are not an actual breed, but rather, the name is a way to describe the unique markings on their coats that set them apart. Tabby cats got their name by being compared to silk from the "Attabiy" district in Baghdad, and the 14th century Middle French term for it was "atabis," which then became "tabis," and eventually our English word, "tabby." Here are some interesting facts about tabby cats:ġ. If you're willing to love and care for a new feline family member, a tabby cat will make a special friend for life! Shelters are brimming with adult and kitten tabbies waiting for their forever homes. Lentigo is also common in tortoiseshell and calico cats and is generally nothing to worry about, although if you notice any changes, it’s always wise to have your kitty checked out by your veterinarian.National Tabby Day is April 30 a day set aside to celebrate these unique creatures! Tabby cats are wonderful pets, with so much love to give. The most common reason for these black freckles is a genetic condition called lentigo which causes an increase in the number of pigment-producing cells. If you have an orange tabby, you may have noticed dark freckles around its gums or nose. While every cat is different, orange tabbies are well known for being serial snugglers. While there’s no hard and fast research, it’s long been believed that male cats tend to be friendlier than female cats, and with 80% of orange tabbies being male, that could be why they have a reputation for being super affectionate. ![]() Orange tabbies are known for being Velcro cats The M marking is embedded in the same gene that gives them their tabby pattern. However, science has a slightly less magical answer to why orange tabby cats are rocking that M: it’s in their DNA. There are plenty of myths and legends floating around as to how that M came to be there, with claims that it represents everyone from the Virgin Mary to Mohammed, the founder of Islam. Look closely at an orange tabby cat’s forehead and you’ll notice that they sport a very distinctive looking ‘M’. Weitzman says there’s zero competition when it comes to which kind of cat is the most gregarious, with orange tabbies a clear winner. If you’ve ever owned an orange tabby cat, you probably know that these guys are definitely the Chatty Cathy’s of the cat world! According to Gary Weitzman, head veterinarian at the San Diego Humane Society, cat personalities are tied to coat color. The pigment pheomelanin is what gives an orange tabby cat their coloring and it’s the same pigment that’s responsible for causing red hair in humans. It turns out that Annie and Garfield have a lot more in common than we first thought. A specific pigment is responsible for their color Within the agouti gene, there are four different types of tabby patterns that can occur: mackerel (tiger-like stripes), ticked (hair that alternates with light and dark bands), spotted, and classic (which gives a swirled look). There's more than one type of stripeĭid you know that orange cats with solid-colored coats don’t exist? It’s true! That’s because all tabby cats regardless of their color carry the agouti gene which is responsible for creating a patterned effect on their coats.
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