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Tuxedo cats are known for their unique coat pattern which resembles a classic tuxedo outfit. You know, those fancy black and white suits. However, their unique coats are just one of many interesting features of this cat. With that said, let’s dive into 12 surprising facts about tuxedo cats.
Tuxedo Cat Facts
1. Tuxedo is Not a Breed
A common misconception about tuxedo cats is that they are a specific breed. The truth is, “tuxedo” is a coat pattern, not a breed. For example, other coat patterns include: calico, tortoiseshell, and tabby, to name a few.
2. Tuxedo Cats Can be Different Breeds
Tuxedo cats can be a variety of breeds, including: American Shorthair, British Shorthair, Maine Coon, Scottish Fold, Turkish Angora, Turkish Van, Norwegian Forest Cat, and more. Tuxedos can also have short or long fur and be purebred or mixed breed.
3. True Tuxedo Cats Are Black and White
True tuxedo cats have bi-colored coats that are black and white, with black being the dominant color. More specifically, these cats usually have a solid black coat with white fur on the throat, chest, paws, and belly. Cats that have two colors other than black and white are simply bi-colored, not tuxedo.
4. Genetics Determine Their Coat Pattern
Genetics determine the coat pattern of tuxedos. Interestingly, all tuxedo cats start off black in the womb. However, during the development process, the “white spotting gene” (WS) causes white spots or patches in the fur.
5. Tuxedo Cats Don’t Have a Dominant Gender
Although the sex of a cat sometimes determines coat color (which is why most calico and tortoiseshells are female), tuxedos don’t have a dominant gender. This means that a tuxedo cat is just as likely to be born male as it is female.
6. No Two Tuxedo Cats Are the Same
Just like no two fingerprints are identical, no two tuxedo coat patterns are the same either. This means that each tuxedo cat’s coat is unique.
7. Tuxedo Cats Usually Have Green Eyes
Most tuxedo cats have green eyes. Although green eyes are not rare in cats, it’s pretty neat that most tuxies have this trait in common.
8. Tuxedo Cats Are Found All Over the World
Unlike other cats which are more common in certain countries, tuxedos can be found all over the world. This makes tuxedos widely available for those who want to adopt one.
9. More Tuxedo Cats Need to be Adopted
If you visit a shelter, you are likely to find a tuxedo. Sadly, tuxedo cats usually take longer to adopt because of a false superstition that black cats cause bad luck.
10. Tuxedo Cats Develop Quickly
Tuxedo cats develop quickly. While it takes most newborn kittens one to two weeks to open their eyes, tuxedo cats tend to open their eyes 24 hours before other types of cats. Tuxedos also reach their full height by the time they are only six months old.
11. Tuxedo Cats Are Smart
Although not scientifically proven, Tuxedos are thought to be smarter than other cats. In fact, some say Tuxedos are up to 200% more intelligent than other types of cats.
12. Egyptians Worshiped Tuxedo Cats
You may have already known that the Egyptians worshiped cats. But did you know that 70% of cats seen in Egyptian royal tombs are tuxedo cats? With the way most cats act, they probably still want to be worshiped…
Did any of these facts surprise you? Let us know in the comments below.
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Resources
https://basepaws.com/blogs/news/cat-coat-genetics
https://www.felineliving.net/tuxedo-cats/
https://www.thesprucepets.com/facts-about-tuxedo-cats-554704
Disclaimer: The Purring Journal is not in the medical field. This post is made for entertainment purposes only. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. Always seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
