Genetic Mutation Behind Orange Cat Fur Identified in Breakthrough Studies

Scientists from two continents have solved the mystery in DNA that gives our hairy friends, particularly the males, their remarkable color.

After 60 years, researchers finally have the answer. A missing piece of DNA gives some cats their orange coat color.

Orange cat mystery finally solved after discovery of genetic 'meow-tation'

Researchers have discovered how orange cats got their coats — and why so many of them are male. The coat color comes from a genetic mutation on the X chromosome of orange, calico and tortoiseshell cats.

Why Are Some Cats Orange? Scientists Solve Decades-Old Mystery

What makes orange cats orange? For over 60 years, scientists have been searching for the answer. Now, researchers from Japan have figured it out, and their discovery also explains why almost all tortoiseshell and calico cats are female. The post Why Are Some Cats Orange? Scientists Solve Decades-Old Mystery appeared first on Study Finds.

Scientists finally decode what makes orange cats so unique

Research explains why most orange cats are male

The DNA secret behind orange cats : Short Wave

Approximately 80% of orange cats are males, including the four orange cats owned by the Short Wave team. Scientists have long suspected that orange color was a sex-linked trait — hiding somewhere on the X chromosome. Now, scientists at Stanford University and Kyushu University in Japan have characterized the mutation responsible for orange cat coloration. Both groups published their results in the journal Cell Biology this week. Have a question …