When it comes to feline genetics, things like coat color and pattern are carried on the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes (XX) while males have one X and one Y (XY).

Cats inherit a combination of genes from both parents, although the wide variety of colors you see in cats comes from just two main colors: black and orange (or red).

A kitten inherits two copies of each gene from its parents (one from each), and each gene can be either dominant or recessive.

The gene for orange coloring is dominant (O), so a kitten needs to inherit only one copy of the orange gene to display some degree of that color in its coat.

This fact also explains why most orange tabbies are male — since a female orange tabby must have two X chromosomes to be female, there is only about a 20% chance an orange kitty will be female.

If a kitten displays the tabby pattern or not depends on whether it inherits a dominant or recessive agouti gene. The term “agouti” refers to hair that has alternating bands of light and dark color – this produces a speckled or “salt and pepper” appearance.

Kittens that inherit a dominant agouti gene (A) will display a visible striped pattern while kittens that inherit the recessive gene (a) will not. Solid-colored cats can still display subtle tabby patterns – often called “ghost striping” – if they inherit two copies of the recessive gene (aa).

OK, so we know about the origin of orange cats. But are they really dumber than other felines? After all, after scrolling through these pictures and our older article on 'One Orange Braincell' you might certainly start thinking this way.

To answer that question, it would be a good idea to think about how we measure a cat's intelligence in the first place. It's a fascinating topic that has intrigued many researchers and animal lovers.

However, there is no single or definitive way to assess feline intelligence as different methods and criteria may yield different results and interpretations. But there are some general approaches and findings that can help us gain some insight into how we can compare cats. One of the most common ways to measure animal intelligence is based on survival behavior.

Some examples in cats include:

• Hunting: Cats are natural predators that use their senses, instincts, and skills to catch and kill prey. They can also learn from their experiences and improve their hunting strategies over time;
• Navigation: Cats have a remarkable sense of direction and spatial awareness that allows them to find their way around unfamiliar places. They can also use landmarks, smells, sounds, and magnetic fields to orient themselves;
• Socialization: Cats are social animals that form bonds with other cats and humans. They can also recognize and respond to different emotions, expressions, and gestures. They can also cooperate or compete with others for resources or territory. 

Another way to do that is to look at their learning ability, or in other words, how cats acquire new information or skills that can be applied to new situations. These include:

• Conditioning: Cats can learn to associate certain stimuli with certain outcomes, such as a bell with food or a clicker with a treat. They can also learn to perform certain behaviors to obtain rewards or avoid punishments;
• Imitation: Cats can learn by observing and copying the actions of others, such as opening doors, using toilets, or playing fetch. They can also learn from their own reflection or from videos;
• Problem-solving: Cats can use logic, trial-and-error, or creativity to overcome obstacles or challenges, such as escaping from a box, retrieving food from a puzzle feeder, or manipulating objects.

A single litter can easily include a black, orange, and calico kitten. These siblings are likely to have a good deal in common, fur color notwithstanding.

“To date, there is little evidence that these perceived differences between differently colored cats actually exist, but there are serious repercussions for cats if people believe that some cat colors are friendlier than others,” Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (Animal Behavior Society) and Certified Cat Behavior Consultant Mikel Delgado said.

“Previous research supports the existence of ‘black cat syndrome,’ where black and brown cats are less likely to be adopted than cats of other colors,” she added.