News Genetics

What gene makes orange cats orange? Scientists figured it out

Calico and tortoiseshell cats also carry an X-chromosome mutation

An orange cat and a black and orange calico cat lying down, staring at the camera.

Orange fur in domestic cats usually arises from a specific DNA deletion in the X chromosome, two new studies suggest.

Stefano Stefani/Getty Images

By McKenzie Prillaman

Read another version of this article at Science News Explores

Orange cats are so goofy that people joke that the chaotic kitties share one communal brain cell.