this post was submitted on 18 May 2025
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cats

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[–] Curious_Canid@lemmy.ca 51 points 2 months ago

International law requires them to be orange as a safety warning.

[–] Zachariah@lemmy.world 44 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Lead author Chris Kaelin explained that orange cats produce more of an orange/red pigment called pheomelanin than they do a black/brown pigment called eumelanin, which isn’t too dissimilar from redheaded humans.

While human gingers owe their color to changes in the MC1R gene, the orange cat mutation is located in one gene called Arhgap36. The scientists say that the protein produced by this gene disrupts the biological pathway that determines a cat’s coat color, effectively shutting down eumelanin production and letting orange pigment take over.

As for why most orange cats are dudes, that has everything to do with a cat’s X chromosome. Males only get one, so if that X carries the mutation, it’s a ginger. Females, having two Xs, need both to be mutated to go full orange.

[–] Rhaedas@fedia.io 25 points 2 months ago (1 children)

effectively shutting down eumelanin production

And brain cell production.

[–] sapetoku@sh.itjust.works 7 points 2 months ago

Well, they got the two brain cells fighting for third place

[–] Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 15 points 2 months ago

A cat needs at least two brain cells to develop any other colour.

[–] UrPartnerInCrime@sh.itjust.works 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

isn't too dissimilar to red heads

So orange cats are actually black?

[–] Noodle07@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

They're just very bad at it

[–] DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social 2 points 2 months ago

Leave them alone they're doing their best at melanin