Why are Ginger Cats Ginger?

[VaughanJB]

Garfield, Puss in Boots, Aristocats' Toulouse – cultural icons maybe, ginger most certainly.

And now scientists across two continents have uncovered the DNA mystery that has given our furry friends, particularly males, their notable colour.

They discovered that ginger cats are missing a section of their genetic code, which means the cells responsible for their skin, eye and fur tone produce lighter colours.

The breakthrough has brought delight to the scientists but also the thousands of cat lovers that originally crowdfunded the research.

SOURCE: Decades-long mystery of ginger cats revealed

 

[Twostep]

Should you ask a cat the answer may be something along that line - because!

 

[BlueDragonfly]

I hope this didn't cost taxpayers eleventy billion dollars to figure out.

 

[astralcat]

I have had three ginger cats and all three had very loving personalities. Here's to ginger cats !

 

[Lilac]

I have one right now who has black freckles on his nose, lips & around his eyes. When he was a kitten, I thought it was dirt, LOL. Momma was a tortoiseshell.

 

[VaughanJB]

I hope this didn't cost taxpayers eleventy billion dollars to figure out.

If you read the story, this study was crowdfunded by cat lovers.

 

[BlueDragonfly]

If you read the story, this study was crowdfunded by cat lovers.

I was too busy at the moment. Besides, joke are fun.... when people get them

 

[VaughanJB]

I was too busy at the moment. Besides, joke are fun.... when people get them

I'd of been quite happy for taxpayers to have funded the research. Knowledge, all on its own, is a valuable currency. Gaining a better understanding of our genetic code (our meaning, of living things) is going to pay dividends down the road, even if it's not directly applicable in the here and now. Besides, if I was cutting spending of tax dollars, there are many more things that would go before genetic research.

 

[BlueDragonfly]

I'd of been quite happy for taxpayers to have funded the research. Knowledge, all on its own, is a valuable currency. Gaining a better understanding of our genetic code (our meaning, of living things) is going to pay dividends down the road, even if it's not directly applicable in the here and now. Besides, if I was cutting spending of tax dollars, there are many more things that would go before genetic research.

of a cat..... ok. You send your $.

 

[VaughanJB]

of a cat..... ok. You send your $.

We ALL have DNA.

 

[BlueDragonfly]

We ALL have DNA.

Are you bored?

 

[VaughanJB]

Are you bored?

I don't understand the comment. I do struggle to find time for this site every day. Aside from that, I can only repeat, knowledge is valuable all by itself, and DNA, how it works, how is affect outcomes, and how it can be altered for different outcomes, is a valuable commodity. The only reason you're not a cat, and are human, is because of your DNA.

 

[OregonGuy]

Confirms my feeling that my beloved ginger was special!

 

[Lilac]

This pic is my little guy ...

 

[Twostep]

This pic is my little guy ...

View attachment 423240

He is perfect!

 

[Pinky]

This pic is my little guy ...

View attachment 423240

So precious

 

[Twostep]

I hope this didn't cost taxpayers eleventy billion dollars to figure out.

Apparently it was funded by donations of cat people.