this post was submitted on 18 May 2025
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[–] [email protected] 56 points 1 month ago

International law requires them to be orange as a safety warning.

[–] [email protected] 43 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Lead author Chris Kaelin explained that orange cats produce more of an orange/red pigment called pheomelanin than they do a black/brown pigment called eumelanin, which isn’t too dissimilar from redheaded humans.

While human gingers owe their color to changes in the MC1R gene, the orange cat mutation is located in one gene called Arhgap36. The scientists say that the protein produced by this gene disrupts the biological pathway that determines a cat’s coat color, effectively shutting down eumelanin production and letting orange pigment take over.

As for why most orange cats are dudes, that has everything to do with a cat’s X chromosome. Males only get one, so if that X carries the mutation, it’s a ginger. Females, having two Xs, need both to be mutated to go full orange.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 month ago (1 children)

effectively shutting down eumelanin production

And brain cell production.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago

Well, they got the two brain cells fighting for third place

[–] al_Kaholic 22 points 1 month ago

Lasagna DNA.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 month ago

A cat needs at least two brain cells to develop any other colour.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Orange cats have lived among us, boldly wreaking havoc with a level of confident stupidity that inspires both affection and bewilderment.

When I read "inspires affection" is when I realized this wasn't about Donald Trump.

[–] [email protected] 34 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I recommend living your life without that man infecting every facet of it. It's an article about cats. Just let it be about cats.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (2 children)

It was a joke but... I guess it didn't land 🙂

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

It didn't land because a lot of people are sick of politics being crowbarred into every single conversation regardless of the topic.

Also, there's a million legitimate criticisms to make about trump. HURR DURR HIS SKIN COLOR is lazy and has been beaten to death.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Trump's just not funny any more. In any way shape or form.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 1 month ago

The article being about cats didn't tip you off?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)

isn't too dissimilar to red heads

So orange cats are actually black?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

They're just very bad at it

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

Leave them alone they're doing their best at melanin