7 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Orange Tabby Cats

Orange you glad I didn't make a cat pun?

1. The orange tabby cat is not a breed - it's a color.

Kristina Makeeva / Via Instagram: @hobopeeba

Contrary to popular belief, ginger tabbies DO have souls.

2. Their unique orange color comes from a specific pigment—pheomelanin—the same pigment that produces red hair in humans.

Rojiman / Via Instagram: @rojiman

Orange cats are technically referred to as "Red" cats because SCIENCE. It's from the dominant Red gene that determines their color. But over the years and various color variations, these flame-colored felines are often called orange, ginger, marmalade, yellow, butter, caramel, or butterscotch cats.

3. THEY CAN HAVE FRECKLES.

Cole and Marmalade / Via coleandmarmalade.com

That's right: FRECKLES! These dark spots result from a harmless genetic condition called lentigo simplex, and usually form anywhere from one to two years old or in middle-aged ginger, calico, and tortoiseshell cats.

4. The "Magnificent M" marking on a tabby's forehead is said to come from the Virgin Mary herself.

FatCatArt / Via fatcatart.com

The story goes that little baby Jesus, away in his manger, was cold and fussing. All the other animals were too big to warm him - but a little tabby crawled into his manger, curled up with him, and both were fast asleep. Mary was so grateful, she kissed the tabby's forehead and thus bestowed him her own initial, "M."

5. Talk about friends in high places - Winston Churchill had an orange tabby cat named Tango.

Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Tabby cats have some serious connections going for them. First Jesus, and now Churchill? Yeah. Churchill insisted a "marmalade cat" should always live at his old country home "in comfortable residence". Pictured above is "Jock VI," the sixth marmalade cat to call Churchill's house home.

6. Orange tabby cats are almost always male: there are 80 males to every 20 females.

No wonder they're so mischevious!

7. They're often called the "Mellow Yellows" of the cat world.

Most owners will say their orange cat is very social. But as we know all, cats are unique creatures. Some can be shy, some can be total assholes. But, hey, cats will be cats! Overall orange cats are said to be "mellow yellows" with chill or lazy attitudes.

8. Does your orange cat have particular characteristics? Tell us about them! We love to learn more.