Colors and Mutations
Maine Coons come in a large array of colors! Colors within a cattery depend on the genetics of the queen (mom cat) and stud (dad cat). Some colors are less common or even rare, regardless of the parent genetics. This all depends on the genetics the parents carry and whether they are dominant or recessive genes.
Colors
Tabby (different variations)
Based on color (black, brown, blue, red, etc)
Based on pattern (mackerel, classic, ticked)
Tortoiseshell “Tortie”
Two-tones of black and red, no white
Calico
Mix of red, black, and white with no stripes, possibly will look mottled or brindled
Torbie
Like the tortie coloring with stripes
“Solids”
no stripes
Smoke
genetics must contain some “solid” in at least one side of family line for this look to be expressed.
Smoke refers to the undercoat pattern, not necessarily a color.
Smoke is when the base of the fur is white or silver and darkens to the original, solid coloring at the tips.
Mutations
Polydactyl
Max 7 toes each paw. Dominant trait mutation. Some believe these are “snowshoe paws” mutation
Two different colored eyes
Referred to as heterochromia, typically with white or white-toned cats. Commonly white cats with blue or heterochromia eyes may be deaf due to the mutation associated with the white fur, blue eyed genes.
Chance of deafness in white cats without blue eyes: 17-22%
Chance of deafness in heterochromia white cats: 40%
Chance of deafness in white cat with two blue eyes: 65-85%
Red/Cream females & tortie/torbie/calica males
Red is determined by the X chromosome. Red females is more rare because both parents must carry the red gene and result in two X chromosomes that present red
Tortie/Torbie/Calico males are extremely rare. This requires that the cat receives black and red alleles from the X chromosome. The X chromosome can only carry one, which is why this is generally seen in females (XX). This coloring would require the male to have XXY chromosomes rather than XY, with one X having red and the other X having black. This is known as Klinefelter syndrome. This syndrome causes: rare color patterns for males, possible infertility, possible growth delays and bone weaknesses.
Creams/diluted reds. Cream is a diluted red gene and still requires that the X chromosome carry red. A dilution gene must also be present to be cream rather than red.
