Scientists solve the mystery of ginger cats – helped by hundreds of cat owners

Scientists at Stanford University and Kyushu University finally revealed that orange cats have a unique genetic mutation responsible for their color, which is distinct from other mammals. This discovery, made possible by hundreds of cat owners who contributed samples, showed that orange coloring arises from a specific genetic alteration near the ARHGAP36 gene, activating a pathway that affects pigment cell activity in ways not seen in other animals like humans or dogs. The study highlights how community involvement powered scientific breakthroughs and deepens our understanding of animal genetics.