If you’ve looked close at your cat, you may have noticed a pretty cool ‘M’ marking on their foreheads which I’ve always been fascinated by. This unique marking is often associated with tabby cats, but it can also be found in other breeds due to their shared genetic makeup.
The ‘M’ marking is technically known as the ‘tabby’ pattern and is caused by a genetic mutation that affects coat patterns in cats.
Tabby cats come in a variety of colors, including brown, grey, and orange. The ‘M’ pattern, known as the “agouti” gene, controls the pigmentation of fur in cats and causes the unique tabby pattern that includes the distinctive ‘M’ on their forehead.
There are many legends and myths surrounding the ‘M’ marking on cats. One popular legend is that the ‘M’ stands for “Mau,” the Egyptian word for cat. In ancient Egypt, cats were revered and considered sacred animals.
Another legend suggests that the ‘M’ marking is a sign of good luck and prosperity. In some cultures, it is believed that owning a cat with an ‘M’ on its forehead will bring good fortune to the household.
The ‘M’ marking is simply a genetic trait that is passed down from one generation of cats to the next. So, the next time you see a cat with an ‘M’ on its forehead, you can appreciate the unique beauty of this feline feature.
Understanding the M Marking
In this section, I will discuss the genetics behind the M marking, cultural significance, and different types of tabby patterns.
Genetics Behind the M
The M marking is technically known as the “tabby” pattern and is caused by a genetic mutation that affects coat patterns in cats. As mentioned earlier, the gene responsible for the tabby pattern is called the agouti gene.
This gene controls the distribution of pigment in a cat’s hair, resulting in stripes, spots, swirls, and other coat patterns.
There are four types of tabby patterns: mackerel, classic, spotted, and ticked.
The most common type of tabby is the mackerel tabby, which features narrow stripes running down the cat’s back. The classic tabby has a swirling pattern on its sides, while the spotted tabby has spots instead of stripes. The ticked tabby has a unique pattern that looks like tiny dots all over the cat’s coat.
Cultural Significance
The M marking on a tabby cat’s forehead has been the subject of many legends and myths throughout history.
One popular legend is that in ancient Egypt, tabby cats were considered sacred and were often depicted in hieroglyphs and art. The Egyptian Mau, a breed of cat with a similar coat pattern, is believed to be descended from these ancient cats.
In Islamic culture, there is a legend about the Prophet Mohammed and his beloved cat, Muezza. The story goes that Muezza saved Mohammed from a snake by biting its head off.
As a reward for his bravery, Mohammed blessed Muezza with the M marking on his forehead.
Types of Tabby Patterns
As mentioned earlier, there are four types of tabby patterns: mackerel, classic, spotted, and ticked.
In addition to these four patterns, there are also variations of tabby patterns, such as marbled and blotched tabbies. Marbled tabbies have a swirled pattern on their sides, while blotched tabbies have large, bold stripes.
Are all orange tabby cats born with an ‘M’ on their forehead?
Not all orange tabby cats are born with an ‘M’ marking on their forehead. The ‘M’ marking is most commonly seen in tabby cats with a classic or blotched pattern.
The ‘M’ marking is less common in tabby cats with a mackerel or spotted pattern. Lastly, some tabby cats may have an ‘M’ marking that is not very noticeable, while others may have a very prominent ‘M’ marking.
Which cat breeds commonly have an ‘M’ on their forehead?
The ‘M’ marking is most commonly seen in domestic shorthair cats, which are a mix of different breeds. However, many purebred cat breeds also have the tabby coat pattern and may have an ‘M’ marking on their forehead.
Some of the cat breeds that commonly have an ‘M’ marking include the Abyssinian, American Shorthair, Bengal, British Shorthair, Maine Coon, and Norwegian Forest Cat.
Can a cat be a tabby if it doesn’t have an ‘M’ on its forehead?
Yes, a cat can still be a tabby even if it doesn’t have an ‘M’ marking on its forehead. The tabby coat pattern is characterized by stripes, spots, or swirling patterns on the cat’s fur.
While the ‘M’ marking is a common feature of the tabby coat pattern, it is not required for a cat to be considered a tabby. Hopefully, now you understand why orange cats have an M on their cute little foreheads!