Orange Cat

Sunday has been a quiet day…. I had a night of broken sleep, but eventually, I slept until nine in the end. It snowed overnight and started to settle, but then melted away in the rain—and it kept on raining heavily all day. I’ve been remastering some old photos from a dozen years ago, part of another 365 project I did back then. It has been interesting to revisit the original RAW files and completely re-edit and reinterpret them after all this time, with modern software and over a decade more experience.

It was late when I remembered I needed to find my daily blip. Ronan was sleeping on a green velvet chair in the lounge. He looked so adorable that a photograph became necessary. I grabbed my LED light and dialled it to a very warm glow, about 3200K, which really accentuated his natural ‘orange cat’ colouring. This got me thinking, and curiosity took hold, so I did a little research… 

Orange tabby cats possess distinct characteristics that set them apart from other felines. Their unique traits stem primarily from their genetic makeup. The orange colouration is linked to the X chromosome, and this genetic linkage results in approximately 80% of orange tabby cats being male. The orange hue itself is produced by a pigment called pheomelanin, the same pigment responsible for red hair in humans.

All orange cats exhibit a tabby pattern, as there is no such thing as a solid orange coat. These patterns can manifest in four distinct styles: mackerel, with tiger-like stripes; ticked, featuring alternating light and dark bands; spotted; and classic, which displays a swirled design. These patterns further enhance the striking appearance of orange tabby cats.

Orange tabbies are often noted for their affectionate and vocal nature. They are sometimes described as "velcro" cats because they tend to form close bonds with their owners. These cats are also known for their talkative demeanour, frequently making chirps and trills. While many ginger cats are considered relaxed, their personalities can vary significantly from one individual to another.

Physically, orange tabbies display some distinctive features. They all bear the characteristic 'M' marking on their foreheads, a trait common to all tabby-patterned cats. Their coats come in various shades, ranging from light cream to deep mahogany. Additionally, orange tabby cats are often slightly larger in size compared to cats of other colours. An interesting study conducted in 2016 suggested that orange tabby cats might have a heightened prey drive compared to other cats, potentially making them more inclined toward hunting.