Upon seeing a ginger cat, many confidently assert that it is a male. However, a tricolor cat is always a female! But is this really the case? And why?
The “ginger gene” is responsible for the synthesis of pheomelanin (red pigment). This gene is dominant, which explains why most ginger cats have a uniform coat color.
However, the mechanism of action of this gene is quite interesting. It is located on the X chromosome. Males have only one X chromosome, so they can either be ginger or not. For a female to acquire a bright orange color, the gene must be present on both X chromosomes.
Since females have many more possible combinations, the likelihood that they will be ginger is significantly lower — only 20%. While 80% of all ginger cats are males, as fewer genetic factors are involved in their case.
Interestingly, while both males and females can be ginger, tricolor coats occur only in females (black, ginger, white)! This is because coat color is determined by the X chromosome, and only females have two X chromosomes.
