Why Kittens in the Same Litter Do Not Look Alike? 0 29

The color, length of fur, and its pattern are determined by a whole hierarchy of genes, where some can completely suppress others. For example, the gene for white fur is dominant over the others. When a pair of parents combines different genetic variants, even 'common' kittens receive unique combinations, leading to a wide range of external differences.

The situation is further complicated by another biological phenomenon — multiple paternity. Cats are induced ovulators: eggs are released after mating. If a female mates with several males over a short period, kittens in the same litter can be born from different fathers. In this case, some 'brothers' and 'sisters' are genetically similar by only 25%, which explains significant differences in appearance.

Experts believe that such a strategy increases the genetic diversity of the offspring, which is beneficial for the survival of the species. This phenomenon is especially common in cities where the density of the cat population is high. Therefore, a mixed litter is not an anomaly but a result of effective evolutionary adaptation.