Pheomelanin is a pigment in the hair shaft reflects light in a red-orange-yellow range, which we then see as the orange colored fur in many of our pets. #6 The color orange is produced by a chemical called pheomelanin Based on their real life cat, Orlando, he even made it onto the radio and into a ballet. Author Katherine Hale created the books for her own children. Orlando The Marmalade Cat was featured in a series of children’s books published in the UK in 1938. We often say that the M on an orange cat’s face stands for Marmalade too! Or Magnificent, Magic, or Marvellous! #5 Orlando was one of the first red tabby cats from literature to become famous Orange tabbies are often called Marmalade cats in the UK, after the gingery color of one of our breakfast favorites – Marmalade, or Orange Jam. But the paler, brighter orange tabbies can be strikingly beautiful too. From a pale biscuity orange to a deep rich ginger or reddish brown. There is a surprising range or variety in the depth of color that you can find in orange cats. 9.#3 Orange Tabbies come in different shades Silver Tabbies can be nearly white or very dark in color. Dark grey spots and stripes prevail over a lighter gray or white coat. Silver Tabbies are generally a mix of shades of grey. Silver Tabby Image by: jsmars, Shutterstock All red or orange cats have Tabby markings because the gene that carries this color pattern is the same gene that carries orange coloration. The most well-known of orange cats, Garfield, is a classic example of a Red Tabby. Red or Orange Tabby Image by: lagunabluemolly, Pixabay They may have solid, dark brown fur on their ears and paws.
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Their stripes vary from nearly black to tan over a cream or white body. Brown Tabby Image Credit: Peakpxīrown Tabbies are what most people think of when they envision a Tabby. Their Tabby markings are usually strongest on their legs and faces but can be obscured by their patchy coloring. Tortoiseshell cats have a splotchy mix of brown and red patches. Up close, their agouti hairs have the standard light and dark banding standard to Tabbies. While they have the standard forehead markings and may have stripes on their faces, the rest of their coat looks solid at a distance.
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Often called Abyssinian or Agouti Tabbies, these cats look the least like stereotypical Tabbies. Ticked Tabby Image Credit: terazitu, Shutterstock Ocicats and American Bobtails are good examples of Spotted Tabbies. Spotted Tabby Image Credit: slowmotiongli, ShutterstockĪ spotted Tabby has the striped face of a Classic Tabby but has oval or round spots along their bodies. This pattern resembles the skeleton of a fish, hence the name. Sometimes called a tiger cat, Mackerel Tabbies have one solid dark stripe along their spine, with more stripes branching off. Mackerel Tabby Image Credit: Natalia Baran, Shutterstock These swirls are usually quite random and resemble a marble cake. The Classic Tabby has stripes on their face and head, with swirls of darker color on a lighter base throughout the body. Classic Tabby Image Credit: pompi, Pixabay The 9 Tabby Cat Colors & Patterns You are free to use this image but we do require you to link back to for credit 1.