Ginger, tortie, calico – the mystery gene responsible for orange colour in cat coats has been found
- Written by Frank Nicholas, Emeritus Professor of Animal Genetics, University of Sydney
ChrisChips/ShutterstockOrange and tortoiseshell house cats (torties) have long been an enigma for hair coloration in mammals: now, the genetic basis of their distinctive coat colour has been unveiled.
Orange is an ancient colour variety. Ginger cats are evident in Egyptian tomb artworks and some mummified cats may have been gingers. From Garfield an...





