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.

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 …

Orange Cats Are Genetically Unlike Any Other Mammal and Now We Know Why

The iconic coats are due to a mutation not seen in other animals.