|
Tiki is a Domestic Long-Hair!
The Egg & sperm cells of cats each contain 19 chromosomes. At conception, they team up to create a unique set of 19 pairs. The genes for each characteristic also pair up, side by side. Thus, any mutations or mistakes can create a new trait.
Genetic variations in a characteristic are called dominant if one copy is needed to show an effect and recessive if two copies – one on each chromosome - are needed. Original traits tend to be dominant and new mutations tend to be recessive. As an example, the original trait for hair length was for short coats, so it’s a dominant trait. The mutation for long coats occurred a long time ago, but it’s still a recessive trait and needs two copies of the gene.
The hair of a cat is not like human hair. We have a single hair growing out of each follicle. Cats have up to 6 primary hairs, (each surrounded by secondary down hairs), growing from each follicle. The cat also has arrector muscles, (muscles that lift or erect the hair), surrounding each follicle. They raise their hair in response to anger, fear and cold temperatures.
The original coat color and pattern of our modern cats came from the native African wildcat -- a striped tabby that utilized its coat color to hide from larger predators and to creep upon unaware prey.
Modern cats come in four basic marking patterns -- striped (also called mackerel), blotched or classic, Abyssinian or ticked, and spotted. All are mutations of the original coat color and markings.
Bicolored (2 colored) cats usually have a white underbelly with a saddle of color over their back. Some longhair or shorthaired bicolored cats are predominantly white with the colors only on the head and tail.
Many of the long-haired cats with northern origins have sturdy bodies, broad faces and calm, friendly attitudes. They prefer lounging on their owner's laps while being stroked to scampering about and playing. While most short-hairs can handle their own grooming, the Domestic Long-Hair needs help with regular grooming. Some of the longer, thicker coats may need brushing and combing more than once a day to prevent mats from forming.
We are pleased to welcome Tiki to our practice!
|
