How do orange cats get their fur?

Orange cats get their fur color from a gene called orange, which is located on the X chromosome. Here's a breakdown of the genetics:

* X chromosome: Females have two X chromosomes (XX), while males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY).

* Orange gene: This gene comes in two forms: one that produces orange fur and one that doesn't.

* Inheritance: If a cat inherits at least one copy of the orange gene, they will have orange fur.

* Male cats: Since males only have one X chromosome, they either have the orange gene (and are orange) or they don't (and are not orange).

* Female cats: Females have two X chromosomes. If they inherit the orange gene on both X chromosomes, they will be orange. If they inherit the orange gene on only one X chromosome, they will be a tortoiseshell (a mixture of orange and black or brown).

So, to summarize:

* Males: They either have the orange gene or they don't.

* Females: They can be orange, tortoiseshell, or non-orange, depending on which X chromosome they inherit the orange gene on.

It's important to note that the orange gene is not a breed-specific trait. It can appear in any breed of cat, and there are even some breeds where orange cats are more common than others (such as the American Shorthair).