What color are Siamese cat kittens? - briefly
Siamese cat kittens are born completely white and develop their distinctive color points, such as seal, blue, chocolate, or lilac, as they grow older due to temperature-sensitive pigment production.
What color are Siamese cat kittens? - in detail
Siamese cat kittens are born completely white or cream-colored due to a unique genetic trait linked to temperature-sensitive albinism. This phenomenon occurs because the enzyme responsible for producing pigment, tyrosinase, is only active in cooler areas of the body. At birth, the kittens' entire body is warm, preventing the enzyme from functioning, which results in their uniform pale coat. As the kittens grow and their body temperature stabilizes, the cooler regions, such as the ears, face, paws, and tail, begin to develop darker pigmentation. This process, known as "point coloration," typically starts within the first few weeks of life. The specific shade of the points depends on the kitten's genetic lineage and can range from seal (dark brown) to blue (gray), chocolate (light brown), or lilac (pale grayish-pink). The contrast between the body color and the points becomes more pronounced as the kitten matures, usually reaching its full expression by the age of one year. This striking coloration is a hallmark of the Siamese breed and is highly prized by cat enthusiasts.