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Tabby color (from the English tabby) is a term denoting a special color pattern (in the form of various stripes, circles) on the woolen “coat” of the cat family. This tabby color of cats is manifested in them due to genetic characteristics that are manifested through the super dominant gene “A” (“agouti”).

Genetic properties and anti-properties

It is this gene that has such a valuable property of brightening up any hair of a cat’s fur in a special way, alternately alternating transverse stripes of different colors (dark, light). If in dark areas there is a significant concentration of a pigment called eumelanin, then in light stripes there is much less of it. The spherical granules of this version of melanin, which reflects light waves in the yellow-orange range, have the peculiarity of elongating and taking on the shape of an ellipse, located along the entire length of the hair. Which causes the desired effect, as a result of which a tabby cat appears.

Tabby cat breed (Siberian)

If the cat’s genotype contains the so-called “homozygous” allele (“non-agouti”), then the tabby coloring does not appear. The allele suppresses and masks tabby genes. As a result, the color of the cat's fur turns out to be completely the same (epistasis).

The Case of the Redheads

However, there is an exception to this series. The fact is that the influence of the “non-agouti” allele on the “O” (“Orange”) gene is excluded. It is because of this that naturally occurring ginger cats (cream-colored) should have such an intriguing tabby coloring. Meanwhile, the “solid” cream color (very wide, differently colored stripes, as if identical to the human eye) is the result of long-term work by breeding specialists.

Important! All "furry enigmas" potentially have tabby coloring in their genetic "menu". Evidence of this is the residual effect in many kittens (“ghost”, baby tabby). However, after molting, it becomes uniformly colored throughout its entire body. Consequently, not all cats exhibit genotype “A” (agouti), which is what leads to the desired effect.

It is fundamentally

It is necessary that among the key elements and characteristic features of this cat color the following must be present:

• the presence on the cat’s forehead of an improvised pattern resembling the human letter “M”. Experts also refer to this sign as the “sign of the scarab.” All tabby animals must have this feature;
• The cat's fur seems to be divided into two levels. The initial – bottom – layer creates the general background. The top layer just forms the famous pattern, which, thanks to the synergistic effect, has a peculiar depth;
• Fluffy's chest has a pattern with fancy necklaces;
• the cat's tail has certain "rings";
• the cat’s eyes and nose are emphasized with a certain color;
• Each ear of such an animal should have a light spot.

It is interesting that the distant ancestors who passed on such sophisticated colors to the living tabby cats lived in the wild in India, Africa and Kazakhstan.

Color classification options

There are several types of tabby color.

Marbled Tabby

If there are certain stains on the sides of a cat that look like marble, then this animal is a marbled species. Moreover, sometimes experts call such a pattern classic.

As a rule, the body of a “marbled” cat is decorated with large spots, various kinds of curls, intriguing patterns, drawings a la “butterfly”, “human eye” or “oyster shell”. There is slight spotting on the belly and cheeks. In turn, spiral or linear patterns are located on the neck and paws. And the tail of such tabby specimens is colored with interesting ring stripes. The color background of these images should clearly contrast with the main background of a different color.

Classic (marble)

Mackerel

This color is similar to the fur of a tiger. The “coat” of such a cat has patterns consisting of narrow lines that are located parallel and vertical. This type of pattern received its additional “nickname” - tabby mackerel - due to its resemblance to the coloring of a real sea fish, known specifically as mackerel. The brindle tabby pattern usually starts from the cat's ridge line, gradually descending down to the belly in the form of numerous branches. The color of the stripes sharply contrasts with the main tone of the cat’s “fur coat”.

Cat with mackerel pattern

Other options

Among other types of patterns, first of all, it should be noted the ticked version, which is the most delicate and inconspicuous among the types of tabby patterns. It is more clearly expressed on the muzzle, paws and tail. At the same time, barely noticeable “freckles” are “splattered” all over the body, which differ from the basic background of the fur by only a few positions. Abyssinian cats, first of all, can boast of this type of color.

You can often see spotted tabby. In the colors of "spotted" cats, stripes on the coat seem to be absent, and if they exist, they are intermittent and very short. That’s why the cat’s “fur coat” is decorated with dots, spots and peculiar “blots”. The color of the patterns is quite bright, noticeably different from the main tone. These cats are somewhat reminiscent of leopards.

In addition, among other color options, rarer types can be noted: rosette, tortoiseshell, clicquot color (a white tone is added to the two main ones), patchel (patch color), links point (only some small fragments of the body are colored in tabby style).

Color variety

The most popular among animals with similar colors are silver tabby and gray cats, which have markings of different tones. Smoky black and reddish, blue and chocolate, lilac color shades may be present here. Other tabby colors are also available. Among them are black silver tabby, amber, blue silver, cameo, caramel, chestnut and many others.

Important! It should be noted that this coloring largely depends on the existing pattern. Thus, the classic (marble) version of the pattern combines various dark stripes with a light base “fur coat” background. In the spotted version, the pattern plays with “warm” tones. The mackerel variant combines darkish stripes on a silver and gray base. In turn, with the ticked subtype, almost all colors possible in the cat world are found.

Cats with beautiful colors

Since this “picture” on cat fur is so common, there are many breeds on Earth that have patterned colors. Little “fluffy mysteries” with a similar color actively participate in numerous exhibitions and competitions held in our country. However, in order to achieve this right and worthily represent one or another organization of felinologists, a tabby cat must fully comply with the requirements and criteria for coloring, coat characteristics (for example, British Shorthair) and other criteria that are unique to each breed.

British

Representatives of the British breed are very popular. And the reason for this is precisely the unusual color. Since the British cat was created through successful experiments in crossing and selection, their result was an extremely beautiful patterned coloring of the cat's fur.

British cat

British silver tabby kittens look especially touching. However, it is difficult to find two completely identical members of the breed - the coloring of each cat is unique.

Attention! Typically, the British have symmetrical spots characterized by fairly clear lines with contrasting patterns. In general, this coloring of British tabbies is characterized by exceptional brightness and contrast.

Felinologists distinguish a number of types of the British breed. Here there are mackerel colors, spotted (leopard), classic (marbled) and even ticked. For example, the more common brindle color of cats (mackerel) is distinguished by its unusually correct pattern. As expected, there is a “scarab mark” on the British woman’s face. The eyes of such specimens are a rare copper color.

Another popular patterned coat color, marbled, is characterized by its uniqueness. At the same time, such beauty does not intersect anywhere and has no tendency to be interrupted (although in kittens it can still merge, but over time this goes away). On the back of the head there is a funny pattern in the style of a “butterfly”, and on the muzzle there is a famous sign - the letter “M”. A special feature of cats with marbled patterns on their fur is a kind of “necklace” on the chest part of the body.

In addition to the shape of the pattern, the color options of this breed are also interesting. Thus, one of the most intriguing are the British brown tabbies, with black fur, but with a spotted tail and a contoured nose. In silver cats, the lower background is characterized by a subtle blue color, and the patterns on the body are painted with silver paints. The pads on the paws are pink or true blue tabby.

In the process of “mixing” colored tones with white, relatively equal volumes of wool are obtained: both variegated and white.

Attention! If there are patterns on the head of the cat's body and on the tail, despite the fact that in other places it is natural white, this type of tabby is called "van". This breed also has stylish lilac, grayish, so popular in Britain, and many other funny and beautiful options.

Maine raccoon

One of the most famous representatives of the cat “family”, which belong to the species capable of reproducing the tabby color, are cats under the rather cheerful name Maine Coons. This unique breed originated on the northeast coast of the United States, from cats that lived in Maine. By and large, this animal is considered an indigenous cat breed representing the American continent. From English its name can be translated as “Manx raccoon”. That is why this wild breed has a second (informal) name - the Manx raccoon cat.

Maine Coon cat

Maine Coons are real record holders. They are rightfully considered the largest breed of cat. The weight of males reaches up to 8.2-12 kilograms, and in females - up to 5.4-8.5 kilograms.

The appearance of this furry family was formed under the harsh influence of a difficult climate. After all, without rich woolen “clothes” you cannot survive in the cold North American winter. As a result, this type of cat is long-haired. The Maine Coon's coat is quite soft and truly silky. The length of the hair on the shoulders and head is noticeably shorter than on the sides and belly of the cat. Some representatives of the breed have a developed mane on the neck.

Important! The most common coat pattern of a native cat is tabby (truly brown, smoky). In our country, a similar feature in the patterned coloring of Maine Coons is known as “wild”.

This tabby cat breed has most variations of this style, with the exception of the ticked pattern. At the same time, the long hair of this breed is colored partially (exclusively at the ends) or completely.

Scottish version

The key features of the tabby coloring of a Scottish cat are the presence of a clearly defined letter “M” on the face, eyeliner around the eyes, nose, rings on the paws and tail, as well as the famous encircling “necklace” on the chest and neck. The type of pattern in a tartan can be either marbled or brindle, spotted.

Scottish cat

Among the main color combinations it would be logical to note the following:

• silver-blue pattern against a background of light undercoat;
• black patterns on a silver tone;
• cameo tabby, when there are reddish stripes on the white;
• “brick” color pattern on a light red background;
• beige stripes on a soft cream base.

Other breeds

Among other purebred representatives of the cat tribe that have such a happy coloring, perhaps the Asian breed of cats should be noted. This animal is also called (in accordance with its geography of origin) Asian tabby. The breed of these animals was bred in distant England (where it was recognized in 1990). At the same time, she was included in the group of Asian cats (short-haired). Marvelous representatives of this family came from crossing the Burmese direction, the Persian chinchilla and, of course, the famous Abyssinian breed.

The woolen “coat” of an Asian tabby cat is very thick, very thin, and fits tightly and evenly to the body. It is soft and silky. At the same time, there must be something on it, in such an intriguing style. Among the basic colors, experts call light blue and apricot, cream and lilac, light blue with a gray coating, dark red, partly in the “turtle” style and others. But they should all have an amazing tabby pattern on their coat. Moreover, this breed has all types of patterns of spots on its fur: spotted, marbled, brindle and ticked.

Among other representatives of the furry “brethren”, with one or another variant of tabby, it makes sense to note the following purebred cats and female cats:

• Abyssinian breed;
• Thai cat;
• Egyptian Mau cat;
• Siberian cat;
• Thai cat;
• Bengal cat;
• California speckled;
• Ocicat cat;
• Australian smoke cat;

Attention! Domestic cats without pedigree may also have a tabby pattern. Therefore, outbred “mustachioed-striped” ones also have a chance to boast that they belong to such a skillful color. Outbred cats can have an unusually wide range of colors in their fur, which sometimes simply cannot be obtained through scientific selection.

Without tabby

However, there are also cat breeds for which tabby striped patterns are simply not possible. Among the cat breeds for which this color is unacceptable, one can note such popular species as the Siamese, Burmese, Russian Blue, Havana Brown, Bombay, Chartreuse and Korat.

In short, many modern representatives of the cat “family” are largely tabby in color. Therefore, when purchasing a furry animal for yourself, you need to have an idea of ​​which variant of tabby a person is interested in.

Abyssinian point(Abyssinian Point). A combination of point color and ticking.

Agouti(Agouti). Wild color. With agouti colors, each hair on the cat's body has clearly defined zones - ticking, while the tip of the hair has the color of the main color - typing.

Harlequin(Harlequin). Van color, with additional evenly distributed spots on the body and legs. Intermediate between bicolor and van.

Bicolor(Bi-Colour). Evenly distributed spots of primary color on white.

Van bicolor(Van/Van Bicolour). White color with a colored tail and the same spots on the head between the ears.

Smoky color(Smoke). Single-color version of silver tabbies (typing no more than 1/2 of the total hair length).

Shaded color(Shaded). Silver and golden colors, similar to chinchillas and differing from them in a slightly longer tip length (no more than 1/4 of the total length of hairs). The term "shaded" is also used to designate this type of color for the red, cream and tortoiseshell variations.

Calico(Calico). A combination of tortoiseshell and white without agouti, smoke or silver. The ideal calico color is that spots of different colors should not have common boundaries, but should be separated by white.

Lynx tabby point(Lynx/Tabby Point). Point color with tabby pattern.

Mitted(Mitted). White "slippers" on all four paws.

Mink(Mink). The body is darker than with the point color, and the tips of the paws and muzzle are even darker.

Weakened color(Dilute). Lightening intense colors of black to blue, chocolate to lilac, red to cream, etc.

Particolor(Parti-Colour). Tortoiseshell color occupies no more than a third of the body surface.

Point(Pointed). Siamese or Himalayan color - the body is lighter than the paws, tail and ears.

Sepia(Sepia). Solid color of Burmese cats, an outdated name for the "ivory" color of Siamese cats.

Silver color(Silver). Tabby colors are similar to wild colors, but differ from them in the background color (white with a grayish tint, reminiscent of the color of silver).

Solid(Solid/Self). The coat color is only one color, without agouti.

Tabby(Tabby). Groups of cat colors that have a characteristic pattern of stripes and spots on the face, limbs and tail and are classified by the type of pattern on the body.

Ticking(Ticking). Alternating areas of background (grayish-yellow to bright orange) and base color on each hair of agouti-colored cats. The width of these areas, small at the root, increases towards the tip of the hair. The number of sections is not always the same for different colors and varies from 4 to 7-10.

Typing(Tipping). The ends of a cat's fur, usually the same color as its base coat.

Thorby(Torby). Combination of tortoiseshell and tabby color.

Torbico(Torbico). A combination of tortoiseshell tabby and white color.

Tricolor(Tri-Colour). Tortoiseshell bicolor; same as calico.

Tortoiseshell color(Tortie). Colors characteristic, as a rule, only of female animals. Alternating patches of black (blue, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, or fawn) and red (cream) on a cat's coat.

Tortoiseshell point(Tortie Point). Point color with tortoiseshell markings.

Chinchilla(Chinchilla). The name of a specific silver and golden color, characterized by an almost complete absence of the usual tabby pattern, a decrease in the size of the main color areas and an increase in the background areas in the ticking, while the typing occupies no more than 1/8 of the total length of the hairs.

More details

The concept of color in cats covers, firstly, the actual color of the cat’s fur, secondly, the pattern of stripes on the fur or its absence, thirdly, the presence or absence of white spots of different sizes on the fur and the order of their location, fourthly, different degrees of wool coloration.

About pigments

The color of a cat's fur, skin and eyes is determined by the presence of pigment in them. melanin. Melanin is found in the hair body in the form of microscopic granules that vary in shape, size and quantity, which causes differences in color. There are two chemical varieties of melanin: eumelanin(eumelanin) and pheomelanin(phaeomelanin). Eumelanin granules are spherical and absorb almost all light, giving black pigmentation. Pheumelanin granules are oblong (ellipsoidal in shape) and reflect light in the red-yellow-orange range.

Eumelanin is responsible for black color (and its derivatives - chocolate, blue, lilac, fawn, cinnamon), and feumelanin is responsible for red (cream). The genes that are responsible for the appearance of red (O - orange) or black (o - not orange) are located on the X chromosome, that is, the inheritance of color is sex-linked. Cats have two X chromosomes and, accordingly, three color options:
OO - red,
XX - black,
Oo - tortoiseshell (red-black).
Cats have one X chromosome and, depending on which gene it carries, O or O, it will be red or black. Tortoiseshell coloring in cats appears only in the case of genetic disorders, and such cats are sterile.

Thus, the inheritance of traits whose genes are located on the X or Y chromosome is called sex-linked. Genes localized on the X chromosome and not having alleles on the Y chromosome are inherited from mother to son, in particular, a red cat cannot be born to a black cat, and vice versa, a red cat cannot give birth to a black series cat.

White color

White color- this is a complete lack of pigmentation. In cats, solid white fur can be achieved in three different cases:

White albino- a recessive variant that is very rare in cats.

Solid white spots- manifest themselves under the influence of the white spot factor (S), which is not completely dominant, is subject to polygenetic modifications and usually leads to the fact that the cat is not entirely white. However, the spots may be so dense that the animal appears completely white. White spots are described in the following sections.

Dominant white- this mutation suppresses all other pigmentation genes, and leads to the appearance of white coat color and blue eyes. As the name suggests, this is the effect of the dominant white gene (W). In the case of dominant white, the genes for other colors and patterns, although present, are completely hidden. The only way to determine the main genotype in practice (before the appearance, conduct a genetic analysis to determine the genotype of the cat) is by crossing with colored cats of a well-known genotype. Crossing two dominant whites will usually result in all-white kittens, but if both parents are heterozygous (W/w), some kittens may show primary colors. If the genotype of the white parents is not known from the pedigree or test crosses, the mating result is unpredictable.

Dominant white is found in a variety of breeds. Sometimes white Oriental Orientals are considered by some associations as a separate breed. The dominant white color has a much deeper blue eye color than albinos, and this is considered an advantage. The best blue eye color is observed in completely white Oriental Oriental cats that carry a suppressed chocolate gene.

Deafness in cats is associated with the spotting (S) and white dominant (W) genes, but not with the albinism gene (c/c or ca/ca).

Agouti and non-agouti

Cat colors very diverse. Some cats are evenly colored - these are the so-called solid colors or solids. Other cats have a pronounced pattern - in the form of stripes, circles. This drawing is called tabby. Tabby“opens” on the coat thanks to the dominant gene A - agouti. This gene colors each cat's hair with evenly alternating dark and light transverse stripes.

In dark stripes, a larger amount of eumelanin pigment is concentrated, in light ones - less, and the pigment granules elongate, acquiring an ellipsoidal shape and are located sparsely along the length of the hair.

But if a homozygous allele (aa) - non-agouti - appears in the genotype of an animal with a black color, the tabby pattern does not appear and the color turns out to be solid. This influence of some genes on other genes that are not allelic with them is called epistasis. That is, the allele (aa) has an epistatic effect on the tabby genes, it “covers” them, masks them, and prevents them from appearing. At the same time, the effect of allele (aa) does not extend to the O (orange) gene. That's why cats of red (cream) color always have an open tabby pattern, and the solid red color in cats is obtained through the breeder’s breeding work, when selection is made for wider dark-colored stripes, the close proximity of which is perceived by the human eye as a solid red color.

Thus, All cats are tabbies, but not all are agoutis. Confirmation that all cats have a tabby in their genotype is the residual “ghost” baby tabby in many kittens. This residual tabby in cats of solid colors goes away, the cat sheds, the coat changes and becomes evenly colored.

Zoned hair coloring under the influence of the agouti gene

Ticking and Tabby

Agouti- the phenomenon of zoned hair coloring. Each hair is divided into several zones, each of which is colored to varying degrees: some zones are more intensely colored, others less or not colored at all. The group of agouti colors in cats includes tabby, shaded, and chinchilla colors. Agouti colors are found in many species of animals: hares, gerbils, chinchillas, guinea pigs, etc.

Tabby- pattern on wool. All tabbies have fine lines on their muzzle that define their eyes and form an "M" on their forehead. If you look at the fur close up, you can see that each hair is colored with dark and light stripes. This alternation is called "Agouti". It is generally accepted that tabby is the original color of cats, therefore it is otherwise called “wild color”, i.e. characteristic of small wild cats.

Tabby mackerel- striped “tiger” color, pattern in the form of parallel vertical stripes.

Classic tabby, marbled tabby- wide spiral stripes on the sides, reminiscent of marble stains, three stripes along the ridge, a spotted belly, and ring-shaped stripes on the tail and paws.

Spotted Tabby- evenly spaced small spots throughout the body. The spots may appear in the form of intermittent stripes.

Ticked Tabby, Abyssinian Tabby or Agouti Tabby- without stripes or spots on the body, but with a pattern on the face and agouti on the body. This color is typical for the Abyssinian cat breed.

Cat hair with ticked shaded color

Cat hair with smoky color

Cat hair with shaded color

Cat hair with shaded red (cameo) color

Group of solid colors

Black- black color, with well-dyed hair to the roots, without patterns or light spots.

Red- dark red color, with well-dyed hair to the roots, without patterns or light spots. The nose and paw pads are brick red. Eyes - copper or dark orange.

Cream- uniform color, any marks and stains are unacceptable. The creamy color covers each hair evenly down to the root. The undercoat should not be light or white. The nose and paw pads are pink. Eyes orange or copper.

Blue- gray shade of coat, preferably light, clean and uniform, without shades or hairs of a different color. The nose and paw pads are bluish-gray. Eye color is orange or green.

Blue cream tortoiseshell- Light blue and cream colors are mixed throughout the body and limbs. The nose and paw pads are pink, bluish-gray or pink with bluish-gray spots.

Chocolate

Piebald colors

Varying degrees of manifestation of the white spotting factor in piebald colors
Piebald color is a manifestation of the white spotting factor or otherwise piebaldness. Piebald colors are characterized by the arrangement of colored spots on a white background. Depending on the degree of manifestation of the white spotting genes, colors are distinguished:

Wang- (maximum degree) all white with a colored tail and 1-2 small colored spots on the head above eye level and below the ears. A small colored spot on the shoulder area and small spots on the back of the limbs are also acceptable.

Harlequin- mostly white with a few small colored spots located on the body and limbs.

Bicolor- most of the skin is dark, and the smaller part is uncolored, white, in an indefinite proportion.

Among the bicolors, the following colors can be distinguished:

With white gloves- with white spots covering the lower part of the paws

With white medallion- white spot on chest

With white buttons- one or more small white spots

The tuxedo(tuxedo) - with white paws and chest. May have a little white on the head. This is an informal definition.

Calico a combination of tortoiseshell color and white, with the white color predominant.

Silver colors

The group of silver colors is characterized by the bleaching of a certain area of ​​each hair to whiteness. Lightening is due to the influence of the dominant silver gene I (Sv).

Smoky- approximately half the length of each hair is colored, and the rest is white. Those with a smoky color are sure to be non-agouti; that is, they are homozygous for the recessive gene a, which prohibits the manifestation of the pattern. Residual stripes, “moire” for smoky cats are a color defect.

Black smoky- black with white roots.

Blue smoky- blue with white roots.

Chocolate smoke- chocolate with white roots.

Lilac smoky- purple with white roots.

Red smoky- red with white roots.

Colors of cats that carry the silver gene and are carriers of the agouti A gene, which allows the appearance of the pattern:

Silver tabby- a cat with a pattern on a completely white background. Each hair is colored zonally: the lighter stripes are lightened to white, the darker stripes retain their original color.

Shaded- 1/3 of the tip of the hair is dyed, the rest is white.

Chinchilla- 1/8 of the tip of the hair is dyed, the rest is white.

Silver tabbies, shaded tabbies and chinchillas can be either black or blue, chocolate, lilac, etc. For example:

Black silver tabby- a cat with a black pattern on a white background.

Blue silver tabby- a cat with a blue pattern on a white background.

Chocolate shaded- a white cat with chocolate ends of her hair, one-third dyed.

Blue chinchilla- a white cat with blue tips of hair, dyed 1/8.

Cameo- a word that is traditionally added to the name of a red or cream shaded, chinchilla or smoke color. For example: “red shaded cameo.”

Acromelanic colors

Colorpoint (from the English color - color and point - limb) - belongs to the group of acromelanic (temperature-dependent) colors, and is one of the forms of albinism. This color group is characterized by a slightly colored, light (white to cream) body and darker legs, tail, muzzle and ears.

There are different types of point colors

seal point(from the English seal - seal) - very dark gray, almost black color;
blue point- “blue” (dark gray);
red point- “red” (red);
chocolate point- brown;
cream point- cream;
cake point- tortoiseshell;
tabby point- striped.

Juliet May.
All about cat breeds. - St. Petersburg: SZKEO LLC, 2008

Almost all wild cats are motley (spotted or striped); this camouflage camouflage allows them to remain undetected in the dense foliage of trees and tall grass. As a result of domestication and human selective breeding, many other cat colors have appeared, but tabby, as the intricate pattern on the animal's skin is called, is still the most common.

Cat colors: what are they and how are they bred?

The color of a cat implies not only the color of its fur, but also the pattern on it (spots, rings, stripes, stains, etc.). There are only a few main genes responsible for cat colors (solid color, diluents, etc.), but they can be made in a variety of combinations, like a children's construction set. This allows you to create countless options for breeding the desired trait, wisely using a set of parental genes (dominant and recessive).

The pattern on a cat's skin may vary

Description of tabby color

Wild, so-called tabbed, colors are found only in cats; no one else in the animal world has such a pattern on their body.

Wild cats often have camouflage coloring

Tabby standard

Each cat is individual; it is impossible to find two identically colored individuals. But there are several characteristics that are common to all tabbies.

The standard provides for the following general features:

• on the forehead there is an M-shaped clear dark mark (the sign of a scarab);
• necklaces on the chest, which are continuous dark stripes;
• ring-shaped closed stripes (bracelets) on the limbs and tail;
• small medallion spots on the abdomen, arranged in rows;
• good contrast of the picture (not blurred);
• edging around the eyes and nose in the color of the main prevailing tone;
• iris color:
  • in silver colors - all shades of green;
  • for all others - in yellow tones (bright orange, copper, lemon, amber, etc.).

On the face above the eyes, all tabby cats always have a dark mark in the shape of the letter M.

All felines are genetically encoded with a pattern determined by the T (tabby) gene, meaning they are potentially all tabbies. But the pattern does not always appear, since there is another suppressive (dominant) gene A (agouti), which allows the patterns to open up. The gene is characterized by the fact that it colors each hair in several different shades, more precisely, alternating transverse stripes, dark and light. Experts have given this effect a special term - ticking.

A friend of mine who breeds British cats says that small kittens often have a childish residual (ghost) tabby pattern on their paws, tail and face. It goes away completely by about 10–12 months.

Ticked hairs are colored in alternating dark and light tones

When agouti is dominant (AA), the hair in the dark areas is more densely packed with coloring microscopic particles, and in the lightened strips there is much less pigment. The color contrast is noticeable and a tabby pattern appears. With recessive non-agouti (aa), the coat is monochromatic, since the pigment granules are distributed evenly throughout the hair and color it in one tone along its entire length. But there is an exception to this rule. The red gene (scientifically red) O not only does not obey the agouti gene A, but also suppresses it itself. As a result, all ginger cats and female cats exhibit a tabby pattern to one degree or another.

Ginger cats are always a little tabby

The color of a cat's fur, skin and eyes is due to the presence of melanin pigment in them. Melanin is found in the hair body in the form of microscopic granules that vary in shape, size and quantity, which causes differences in color. There are two chemical varieties of melanin: eumelanin and phaeomelanin. Eumelanin granules are spherical and absorb almost all light, giving black pigmentation. Pheomelanin granules are oblong (ellipsoidal in shape) and reflect light in the red-yellow-orange range.

Wikipedia

Video: cats and genes

Table: varieties of tabby cat colors

There are four main patterned colors

It is necessary to understand that tabby is only a pattern on the skin of an animal. Moreover, the main background on which it is drawn can be different (black, chestnut, blue, lavender, cream, silver, etc.). The color of the skin on the paw pads and nose corresponds to the dominant tone.

Photo gallery: tabby cats

Marbled kittens look very unusual Sometimes the pattern changes with age, the stripes are interrupted The more stripes the better Tabby color is quite popular among the British. In Maine Coons, tabby is almost the most common color In one litter there are kittens with different patterns Patterned coloring is also found in Siberian cats Persian cats can also be patterned

Tabby drawing: cat breeds that have it

In some cats, patterned coloring is the only one, while in others it is one of the possible ones.

In this breed, the standard allows only a single-colored ticked color. The color of the short coat can be bright orange, copper, blue, etc. White spots on the chest and chin are allowed. The abdomen and limbs are lighter on the inside. There is a dark stripe running along the ridge to the very tip of the tail. The eyes are hazel, golden, sometimes green. The shade of the nose and feet corresponds to the basic tone. The color of the iris is often yellowish-orange, sometimes greenish.

Abyssinian cats have only one-color ticked fur

Video: Abyssinian beauties

Singapura cat

The only permitted and acceptable color according to the standard is sepia agouti. The main background is close in color to ivory, with clear dark brown ticking. A dark stripe runs along the spine and to the tip of the tail. The chest, chin and belly are a warm, lighter, brownish shade. Residual pale stripes occur on the knees of the hind legs and on the inside of the forelimbs. The pads of the paws are brownish-pinkish, the shade of the nose is from delicate light salmon to rich dark. The iris of the eyes is colored in green, yellow and greenish-yellowish shades.

All Singaporeans are painted the same

The palette of ticked colors is quite wide (wild, sorrel, blue, black silver, fawn). Wools of a basic tone (red, blue, cream, white, etc.) with contrasting tips. A dark shade is observed along the entire spine and tail. The inside of the limbs and belly are a shade lighter. The color of the nose and paw pads varies from pink and bluish-gray to black. Eyes in bluish-green or yellowish-green tones.

The Somali cat has a dark stripe running down its back and tail.

Wild spotted coloring, in which darker contrasting spots are scattered against the main agouti background (beige, pale blue, red, etc.), with intermittent stripes along the ridge. On the sides and on the belly, the markings are slightly lighter and spaced a little less frequently. The skin on the nose is brick red or pink, the feet and tip of the tail are in contrasting tone. Eyes can be painted in any color, excluding blue and blue.

The Ocicat has a wild spotted coloration

Video: Ocicat cats

Soft ticked wool of light warm brown tones, with a darker, distinct pattern of spots, small stripes or rosettes. The tip of the tail is almost black. The fur on the belly is spotted and lighter. Eye color ranges from light gold to brown or greenish gooseberry. The paw pads are dark brown or black, the nose is brick.

Pixie bobs have short tails

Video: pixie bob cats

The patterned tabby pattern is a classic cat coloration; it can be possessed by both outbred yard cats and purebred purebred animals bred through long-term selection.

The tabby color in cats of different breeds is the same classic “tiger” pattern that immediately comes to mind when thinking about a cat as such. This color is not found in other animals and is a privilege of the purely feline species. This striped or spotted pattern is difficult to confuse with anything else. Its varieties are divided into several main ones and a great many additional ones.

Features of color

Originally the predominant color of wild cats, brindle tabby is now found in most cat breeds as an additional or primary color. Among the breeds that do not allow this color are the Balinese cat, Siamese, Havana Brown, Bombay and some others. With many common features, the tabby pattern of different cats differs in color (shades of the background, spots and stripes), as well as the shape of individual elements. It is believed that cats with this color are characterized by special vitality and good health.

The relationship between coat color and the character of the animal causes a lot of controversy.

But although tabby is a natural, “wild” color that helps the animal survive and camouflage itself, cats with such fur do not show any wildness or aggression. Animals with brindle spots or stripes are as calm and affectionate as their Van or Bicolor counterparts.

However, many breeders claim that a tabby cat is particularly active, energetic and inquisitive.

General requirements

Regardless of the type of tabby, cats of this color are characterized by some universal features. The first is the presence of a pattern or pattern that is created by two types of hairs (the so-called “ticking”). The first type of hairs is colored zonally and serves as a background, while the second type is completely colored in the main shade of the pattern. Also, cats of this color are distinguished by an original pattern on their forehead, reminiscent of the letter “M”. On the back of the ears of such animals there are oval light spots, and the eyes and nose are outlined by lines of the main color.

The eyelids and chin area have a lighter shade, and graceful curls are depicted on the cheeks. The tabby's chest is decorated with three “necklaces” - patterns in the form of closed rings. There are “bracelets” on the paws and tail. On the belly of such cats there are double spots located in two rows. The drawing itself is painted in contrast and has a bright, deep color. At the same time, the silver tabby most often has a rich emerald eye color, while other colors are golden yellow or copper-orange.

Main types

There are four types of this color of cats. Perhaps the most common of these is the tiger (also known as striped or tabby mackerel). Domestic short-haired cats, as well as their wild forest relatives, often sport this type of fur. The design itself consists of clear dark stripes located on a lighter background. In the photo you can see how the lines descend vertically from the animal’s spine to the stomach, and a continuous dark stripe stretches along the back (the more vertical stripes and the more clearly they are drawn, the more valued this type is).

The marbled tabby has a pattern of characteristic spots on the cheeks, neck, belly and paws. The photo shows that three stripes stretch along the back, arranged in parallel.

The ticked color (also called the Abyssinian) is also extremely common. It does not imply a clear pattern, featuring a smooth background with a beautiful “spraying”.

The spotted tabby (or spotted) has small spots instead of stripes, and the stripe running along its back is drawn with a dotted line.

Combinations

Often the striped or spotted color of a cat is combined with solid white. A single color can be represented by “knee socks” on the paws, “medallions” on the chest, and spots on the stomach. Most often, the brindle area takes up about the same amount of space as the white area, creating a kind of bicolor. However, in some cases, the tabby is represented by a pattern on the paws, tail, mask and ears.

Popular varieties

1. Smoked Leopard - The pattern is similar to lynx fur and is a bit like marble combined with a smoky shade.
2. Silver or silver suggests a dark pattern with a white background (British tabbies of this type are distinguished by a combination of silver color and gray).
3. Rosette is a type of spotted color in which the spots look like rosettes. It can be seen in the photo of a Bengal cat.
4. Blue tabby has a gray or bluish pattern on a light background.
5. Brown tabby is often found in the British cat. Characterized by a black pattern and a red-brown background.
6. The black silver tabby can be seen in the British breed - a black pattern on a silver background.
7. Seal tabby - this exquisite point color can be seen in the photo of a Thai cat. It features light brown points on a cream background, as well as a striped mask, ears, paws and tail.
8. Blue tabby point is found in the Scottish Fold cat: blue points decorate a creamy beige background. In this case, the body of the animal is painted white.
9. Chocolate Tabby Points are chocolate brown points on a light bronze background (they can be seen in the photo of the Scotsman).
10. The lilac tabby point involves a lilac pattern on a cream background.
11. The Red Tabby Point is distinguished by a reddish pattern decorating a peach background (can be found in the Scottish Fold or Straight).
12. The Cream Tabby Point is a cream pattern on a light cream background with a white body.
13. Golden cinnamon is found in Ocicats. It is distinguished by golden spots and a white background.
14. Golden is a light brown spotted color (occurs in the smoky Australian cat).
15. The chocolate-in-silver color suggests a chocolate-brown pattern and a silver-blue background.
16. Lilac Silver features a purple pattern on a pale silver background.
17. Red silver suggests a reddish pattern and a silvery-cream background.
18. Cream Silver features a cream pattern and a light silver, almost white background.

British tabby

The British tabby is a beautiful short-haired cat with a bright and clear pattern. The ticked color is determined by the color of the undercoat and comes in different shades (lilac, blue, red) with a slight “shading” effect. A ticked British tabby cat should have an "M" on its forehead and curls on its cheeks. In this case, the animal’s eye color should be golden yellow or emerald green.

The British Spotted Shorthair resembles a small leopard. In addition to the letter “M”, it should have outlines of its nose and eyes, “bracelets” on its paws and tail, “necklaces” and spots on its belly. His eyes are green or golden-copper. The same requirements apply to a tabby shorthaired British cat with frequent vertical stripes from the line of the spine to the belly.

Scottish fold cat color

Silver cat color

British cats

The marbled British cat has an extremely beautiful and bright pattern. The “marble” of his design is represented by closed circles on the sides, curls on the cheeks, a “butterfly” on the back of the head, the letter “M”, “necklaces” and “bracelets”, as well as two stripes on the back. The British Marbled Shorthair with well-drawn patterns is highly prized among breeders. Interestingly, the little Briton can be tabby, but as he ages, the stripes often break and the cat becomes spotted.

Siberian tabby

Siberian cats exhibit distinct tabby patterns of spots and wide stripes. The pattern on their fur is clear and the color is rich. The paws and tail are decorated with uniform rings. “Necklaces” and “medallions” are placed on the chest, and the letter “M” is placed on the forehead. Lines coming from the outer corners of the eyes stretch along the back, and curls are drawn on the cheeks. At the back of the head, the design folds into a “butterfly”.

The most common type is the Siberian Tiger Tabby, with narrow, clear lines running from the back to the belly. The Torby color is often found, in which silver, chocolate or blue brindle is combined with cream spots. Ticked coloring is almost always combined with bracelets and stripes. Cameo tabby is a combination of a reddish brindle (as well as spotted, merle or ticked) pattern with a white undercoat.

Scottish tabby

Scottish brindle cats have vertical narrow stripes that turn into a “saddle” in the back area. Their tail is striped, the letter “M” is on their forehead, their eyes and nose are outlined with a black line. Spotted Scottish tabbies are decorated with small spots of various shapes. A dotted line is drawn along the spine (often there are several dotted lines on the back), and the paws are decorated with “bracelets”. The marbled color is represented by beautiful spots like rings or loops.

The most common colors are red, brown, cream, blue, silver, as well as combinations with smoky. The ticked color of the Scots is also called shaded. Most often it is represented by golden, silver and red tones, as well as cameo. Silver coats are characterized by green or hazel eyes, while golden coats are characterized by amber and golden yellow eyes.

Laperm tabby

The classic or marbled color of Laperm cats is represented by wide stripes: clear and well-defined. The paws and tail are decorated with “bracelets”. On the forehead there is the letter “M”, on the sides there are continuous rings. The brindle color is characterized by thin lines, a “saddle” on the back, ringed legs and tail, and chains on the chest. The spotted laperm cat has small spots that look like rosettes, ovals or circles.

The ticked color can be solid with “shading”, or combined with areas of brindle or spotted. The torby color combines a tabby pattern with cream spots on the sides and paws. The most common tabby colors are silver, brown, blue, red, cream, and chocolate. Also popular are designs in cinnamon, fawn, lavender, and various combinations with silver.

Persians and Maine Coons

Persian and tabby cats most often display the brindle and merle color varieties. The striped pattern of Persians is also called a “patchwork pattern”: this color combines red stripes on a cream background, as well as tan on the face. Among marble, the most popular are black, silver-black, blue, brown, and silver. In order to emphasize the exquisite pattern on the coat, it is recommended to comb the Persian thoroughly.

Maine Coon cats often have patterned colors. Among the Maine Coons there are striped, spotted, marbled, and ticked. The most popular varieties of colors are red, black, silver and cream marbled, as well as red and silver brindle. There are also combinations of tortoiseshell and smoky colors with tabby.