Black and White genes

[ozadars]

Hi there,

You know most of the black and white cats usually have a white triangle mask on their face. It is very classic.

I was wondering if this is a special gene? I mean having a black mother and white father doesn't have any effect on having black and white kittens, right? The parents should be carrying the 'black and white' gene I suppose.

 

[goldenkitty45]

Its a "bicolor" gene. The all white cat is a separate gene all together.

When the colors are formed on the kitten, the white comes up from the bottom and the color comes down. Where they meet depends on how fast one or the other color covers the kitten's body. That is why you don't find a "reverse" where a cat is white on the back and black on the belly.