20/05/2026
In cats, the orange gene is carried on the X chromosome, so kitten colors depend heavily on:
- which parent is orange,
- and whether the kitten is male or female.
Case 1:
Mom is Black, Dad is Orange Parents
Black mom = Xᵒ Xᵒ
Orange dad = Xᴼ Y
Female Kittens get:
Xᴼ from dad and Xᵒ from mom
Result: Xᴼ Xᵒ
➡ Female kittens become tortoiseshell (black + orange)
Male Kittens get:
Y from dad and Xᵒ from mom
Result: Xᵒ Y
➡ Male kittens become black.
Case 2:
Dad is Black, Mom is Orange Parents
Orange mom = Xᴼ Xᴼ
Black dad = Xᵒ Y
Female Kittens get:
Xᵒ from dad
Xᴼ from mom
Result: Xᴼ Xᵒ
➡ Female kittens become tortoiseshell again.
Male Kittens get:
Y from dad
Xᴼ from mom
Result: Xᴼ Y
➡ Male kittens become orange.
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