Cats as Living Heat Maps

I always knew cats were weird having owned many including one who's queen of my house. So, at a recent vet visit, I was surprised to learn that Siamese cats are actually albinos. Hey wait - Siamese cats have colored faces, paws, and tails. True, Dave. But that's because their albino traits are temperature sensitive. Just like a cat, huh, nothing's straight forward!

Genes determine cats' hair length. Short is dominant but all lengths shed the same. Coloring is more complex and involves eight genes. Modifier genes direct the patterns such as the classic tuxedo or the chest bib. Modifiers can also alter the action of a color gene. For example, in albino cats, the modifier inhibits the pigmentation process so that cats end up with white fur. But what happens in Siamese cats is even more interesting.

The modifier is active but only when close to the body core where temperatures range from one hundred to one hundred four degrees. At lower temperatures, the modifier is not active and that's where you'd find color. Sure, that makes sense! That's why a Siamese cat's colors are all far from the body core such as the paws, ear tips and tail!

So, you're saying a cat is a living heat map of their body temperature. In fact, those that live outdoors darken in the winter and lighten up in the summer. Who knew that little ball of fur was so complex? And let's not forget opinionated and demanding! Long live the Queen!