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Besides, there are three genes responsible for a tabby pattern. The Agouti gene is the gene that makes up the basis of the Agouti tabby feline.
#BLUE TABBY BRITISH SHORTHAIR CAT CODE#
A locus is a specific place in the genetic code that stores instructions for a specific trait. The genetic instructions for a tabby coat pattern are believed to be located in the tabby locus in their DNA.
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H ow big do mackerel tabby cats get? A striped tabby cat may weigh between 18 and 16 pounds and reach a height of up to 16 inches, depending on the breed. Their blue, yellow, or emerald eyes will definitely capture your heart. Just like other tabby relatives, these beauties feature an “M” mark on their foreheads.ĭepending on the breed, mackerel tabby felines be short-haired, medium-haired, or boast a sleek or fluffy long coat. Besides, there are “eyeliner” stripes under the eyes. On the tail and legs, these stripes are horizontal. Even, vertical stripes run parallel on the feline’s body coat, sometimes they can be broken into spots or dashed dark lines. Striped, a.k.a.“mackerel”, or sometimes referred to as “tiger” is the most common tabby pattern. Undoubtedly, a tabby appearance is striking and is quite unusual for domestic cats. You can meet orange tabby cats (these felines have a combination of the orange gene (O) and black (B) gene, causing them to be brown or cinnamon), brown mackerel tabby cats, and many orange tabbies with white or silver patches. Actually, there are different types of tabby cats. The first thing that is associated with the mackerel tabby pattern is a gray mackerel tabby with black stripes. They have a dog-like personality, that is why tabbies are perfect family companions. These cats are very intelligent, they love to explore their surroundings, play with other cats and family members, and will happily learn new tricks. Other tabby patterns are believed to have originated from mackerel tabby coloration. As the crossing progressed, the striped pattern became more and more pronounced. Mackerel was the first tabby patternĪccording to some theories, the mackerel pattern originated from a cross between a European wildcat and an African wildcat. People believed that such cats had magical powers. Known as “familiars,” these cats were thought to be reincarnations of humans or witch victims. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the word tabby was used to refer to a female cat that belonged to a witch. Mackerel tabbies are associated with witchcraftĪncient Egyptians believed that cats had “divine energy” and worshiped many domestic cats.
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