What color are cats and cats? - briefly
Cats come in a wide variety of colors, including black, white, gray, orange, and combinations like calico or tabby patterns.
What color are cats and cats? - in detail
Cats exhibit a remarkable diversity in coat colors and patterns, influenced by genetics, which determine the pigments and their distribution. The primary colors in cats include black, white, red (often referred to as orange or ginger), blue (a dilute form of black), cream (a dilute form of red), and chocolate. These colors can appear in solid forms or combine to create intricate patterns. Tabby cats, for instance, display stripes, swirls, or spots, often with a distinctive "M" marking on their foreheads. Bicolor cats feature two colors, typically white paired with another hue, while calico and tortoiseshell cats showcase a mix of black, red, and white or black and red patches, respectively. Pointed cats, like Siamese, have darker colors on their ears, face, paws, and tail, contrasting with a lighter body. Dilution genes can soften these colors, turning black into gray or red into cream. Additionally, white cats may owe their appearance to the absence of pigment or the presence of a dominant white gene. The interplay of these genetic factors results in the vast array of coat colors and patterns seen in cats worldwide.