What breed of cats are striped? - briefly
The Bengal and the Savannah are well-known breeds of cats that exhibit distinctive striped patterns in their coats. These breeds are particularly notable for their wildcat ancestry, which contributes to their unique appearance.
What breed of cats are striped? - in detail
Striped cats, often referred to as tabby cats, are not a specific breed but rather a coat pattern that can be found across multiple breeds. The term "tabby" originates from the French word "tabis," which means a rich cloth with wavy stripes or a watered silk. Tabby patterns come in four distinct varieties: classic tabby, mackerel tabby, spotted tabby, and ticked tabby.
Classic Tabby
The classic tabby pattern is characterized by a swirling, marble-like design on the cat's body, often with a distinctive "M" shape on the forehead. This pattern is common among domestic shorthair cats and can be found in breeds such as the British Shorthair and Maine Coon.
Mackerel Tabby
The mackerel tabby pattern features vertical stripes that run down the cat's body, resembling the bones of a fish. This pattern is often seen in breeds like the Abyssinian and Somali. The stripes typically start at the neck and extend down to the tail, with a broken line along the spine.
Spotted Tabby
The spotted tabby pattern consists of spots arranged in a random or rosette-like formation across the cat's body. This pattern is less common than others but can be found in breeds like the Bengal and Ocicat, which are known for their wildcat appearance.
Ticked Tabby
The ticked tabby pattern involves agouti hairs that have alternating bands of color along each hair shaft, giving a salt-and-pepper or grizzled effect. This pattern is characteristic of breeds such as the Abyssinian and Somali, which often exhibit a dense, short coat with a distinctive ticking effect.
Breed Variations
While many domestic cats exhibit tabby patterns naturally, certain breeds are known for their striped coats. The Bengal cat, for example, is bred to resemble wild Asian leopard cats and often displays a spotted or marbled tabby pattern. Similarly, the Egyptian Mau is another breed that showcases a distinctive spotted tabby coat, which is unique in its genetic makeup.
Genetic Influences
The tabby pattern is determined by several genes, with the most significant being the Agouti (A) gene and the Taqpep (T) gene. The A gene controls the distribution of color along the hair shaft, while the T gene influences the width and intensity of the stripes or spots. These genetic factors contribute to the diversity of tabby patterns observed across different breeds.
In conclusion, striped cats encompass a wide range of coat patterns that are exhibited by various breeds. Whether it is the classic swirls, vertical mackerel stripes, random spots, or agouti ticking, these distinctive patterns add to the beauty and individuality of each feline.