Is it true that only male cats are red? - briefly
No, it is not accurate to say that only male cats can be red. Female cats can also be red, although the genetics behind this coloration are different and less common.
Red coloration in cats is determined by the X chromosome. Males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY), so if they inherit a red allele on their X chromosome, they will be red. Females have two X chromosomes (XX), so they need to inherit a red allele on both X chromosomes to be red, which is less likely. This genetic mechanism explains why red cats are more commonly male, but it is not exclusive to males.
Is it true that only male cats are red? - in detail
The misconception that only male cats can be red is a common one, but it is not accurate. The color of a cat's fur is determined by a combination of genetic factors, and the sex of the cat is just one of many elements involved in this process. Red fur in cats is the result of the orange gene, which is located on the X chromosome. Since females have two X chromosomes (XX) and males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY), the inheritance patterns differ between the sexes.
For male cats, the presence of the orange gene on their single X chromosome will result in a red coat. However, females, who have two X chromosomes, can also be red if they inherit the orange gene on both of their X chromosomes. This means that female cats can indeed be red, although it is less common than in males. The rarity of red females is due to the fact that they must inherit the orange gene from both parents, which is statistically less likely than a male inheriting it from a single parent.
It is also important to note that the distribution of the orange gene can result in tortoiseshell or calico patterns in females. These patterns occur when one X chromosome carries the orange gene and the other carries a different color gene, such as black or cream. This genetic diversity allows for a wide range of coat colors and patterns in female cats, making the possibility of a red female cat a real, though less frequent, occurrence.
In summary, while it is true that red fur is more commonly seen in male cats due to the inheritance patterns of the orange gene, female cats can also be red. The misconception likely arises from the statistical rarity of female cats inheriting the orange gene on both X chromosomes, but it is not accurate to say that only male cats can be red.