Research Unlocks Why Orange Cats Are Male In Utah

Strange Phenomenon in Felines Finally Has an Answer 

People familiar with cats have known for years that those with orange fur are almost always toms. You can see it in cartoons with how cats are portrayed. Garfield, that sword fighting feline from Shrek named Puss in Boots, and Heathcliff are all orange and all males. 

On the other hand, calico cats are almost always female. First of all, just knowing this may be new to you and secondly, what is the explanation for it?  

If you are confused by this, you’re in good company. Science hasn’t had an explanation for the phenomenon. That is until now. 

It Goes Back to Those Dominant and Recessive Genes 

A geneticist named Greg Barsh did research that revealed a gene found on the X chromosome what responsible for orange fur in a male cat. If you remember how genes work from high school, the male has an X and Y chromosome and so this gene is fully displayed in his fur. 

If a female cat has this gene on an X chromosome, it is only partially revealed as a calico or tortoise fur type. The colors are mixed due to the effect of other genes. I’m not sure it is as simple as that, but it is the basic idea. 

Read More: Here’s Why Cats In Utah Are Missing Part Of Their Ears

Why is this important? The holidays are here, and you want to look smart and have something interesting to talk about with boring relatives.  

This is a conversation you can have with the cat lovers of the family. They will eat it up. Especially if they have a cat that walks around in boots.