Scientists Solve the Puzzle of Decades Ago About the Color of Redheaded Cats

Garfield, the Cat with Boots, Toulouse of -the Disney film- The Aristogatos: cultural icons, perhaps; redheads, no doubt. Now, scientists from two continents solved the mystery in the DNA that gives our hairy friends, particularly the males, their remarkable color. They discovered that red or orange cats lack a section of their genetic code, which means that the cells responsible for their fur, eyes and skin tone produce lighter colors.The advan…

Now we finally have a scientific answer to the decades-old mystery of why some cats have red fur.

Why are most red cats possible? Scientists have unlocked the genetic cause. A special mutation on the X chromosome ensures the distinctive coat color - and also explains why female red cats are rare. (Continue reading)

Even among cats, red cats are known for their notoriously unpredictable personalities, making them a pure comedy to live with. But what causes their unique color has been a mystery to researchers for decades. Now, it has finally been revealed that a genetic defect is responsible, which also explains why it is much more common in male cats.

The cat is a mysterious being. And the red cat a little more. Maybe because it has something unique. Scientists confirm it to us today. It owes its color to a completely singular mutation.