* Genetics: Just like humans, cats inherit traits from both parents. Each parent contributes half of their genetic material to their offspring. The combination of these genes determines the kitten's appearance, including its coat color, pattern, eye color, and even things like fur length.
* Multiple Fathering: Cats can mate with multiple males during their fertile period. This means a litter of kittens can have different fathers, leading to variations in their appearance.
* Randomness: Even with the same genetic material, there's a certain amount of randomness in how genes are expressed. This means even kittens from the same parents, with the same genetic makeup, can look slightly different due to how those genes are turned on or off.
Think of it like mixing paint. Each parent contributes a set of colors (their genes). The way those colors are mixed and combined will determine the final color of the kitten (its appearance).