If a white cat and a red cat mate, what color will their kittens be? - briefly
The color of the kittens resulting from a mating between a white cat and a red cat is primarily determined by genetics. Specifically, the dominant gene for red fur (B) can override the recessive gene for white fur (W), leading to the majority of the offspring being red or a mix of red and white patterns. However, some kittens may inherit two copies of the recessive white gene from both parents, resulting in them being completely white.
If a white cat and a red cat mate, what color will their kittens be? - in detail
The color of the offspring from a mating between a white cat and a red cat is determined by genetics, specifically the expression of two key genes: the O (orange) gene and the W (white spotting) gene.
The orange color in cats is associated with the O gene. This gene has two alleles: O (which codes for orange fur) and o (which codes for non-orange fur). The red coat color, often referred to as "ginger" or "orange," is a manifestation of the O allele when it is present in both copies (homozygous state, denoted as OO). If only one copy of the O allele is present (heterozygous state, denoted as Oo), the cat will typically be a calico or tortoiseshell if female, due to X-inactivation, or a patched tabby if male.
The white spotting pattern in cats is governed by the W gene, which also has two alleles: W (which codes for the absence of white spots) and w (which codes for white spotting). The presence of even one copy of the w allele (denoted as Ww or ww) can result in varying degrees of white spotting.
When a white cat mates with a red cat, the resulting kittens' colors depend on the specific combinations of these alleles:
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If the white cat is homozygous for the w allele (ww): All offspring will inherit at least one copy of the w allele and thus will exhibit some degree of white spotting. The extent of white spotting can vary widely, from small patches to almost entirely white coats.
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If the white cat is heterozygous for the W and w alleles (Ww): The offspring may inherit either the W or w allele. If they inherit the W allele, they will not exhibit significant white spotting unless influenced by other genetic factors. If they inherit the w allele, they will display some degree of white spotting.
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If the red cat is homozygous for the O allele (OO): All offspring will have at least one copy of the O allele, resulting in various shades of orange or ginger fur, depending on the presence and degree of white spotting.
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If the red cat is heterozygous for the O and o alleles (Oo): The offspring's coat color will be influenced by the sex of the kitten due to X-inactivation in females. Females can be calico or tortoiseshell, while males are typically patched tabbies.
In summary, the color of the kittens from a mating between a white cat and a red cat can range from mostly white with patches of orange to mostly orange with patches of white, depending on the specific alleles inherited from each parent. The exact coloration is determined by the complex interplay of these genetic factors.