What kittens will be born from a red cat and a red cat? - briefly
When two red cats mate, the color of their kittens can vary. The most common outcome is a mix of red and non-red (black or gray) kittens due to the inheritance patterns of coat color genes in cats.
What kittens will be born from a red cat and a red cat? - in detail
The color of kittens born from two red cats is primarily determined by genetics, specifically the X chromosome. Female cats have two X chromosomes, while male cats have one X and one Y chromosome. In this case, both parents are female and red, which indicates they carry the recessive gene for red coloration on their X chromosomes.
When two red female cats mate, the following scenarios can occur:
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Both Parents Carry Only Recessive Red Genes (rr): If both parents have only the recessive red genes (rr), all the kittens will be male and red. This is because male kittens inherit their single X chromosome from their mother, and if she carries only the recessive red gene, the kitten will be red.
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One Parent Carries Recessive Red Genes (rr) and the Other Carries Dominant Black Genes (B_): If one of the parents has the dominant black genes (B_) along with the recessive red genes (rr), the outcome can vary. In this case, some kittens may be female and tortoiseshell (a mix of red and black fur) because they inherit one X chromosome from each parent. Male kittens will still be red since they only inherit an X chromosome from their mother.
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Both Parents Carry Dominant Black Genes (BB or B_): If either parent carries the dominant black gene (BB or B_), all the female kittens will likely be black, and the male kittens will still be red because they only inherit an X chromosome from their mother.
It is important to note that other genes can influence the final coloration and patterns of the coat. For instance, the dilution gene can affect the intensity of the red color, resulting in a lighter or cream-colored fur. Additionally, modifier genes can create different shades and patterns within the red spectrum.
In summary, the color of kittens born from two red female cats depends on the specific genetic makeup of each parent. Male kittens will always be red if their mothers carry the recessive red gene, while female kittens may exhibit a variety of colors based on the combination of genes they inherit.