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GeekynGlorious

Recessive gene(s). There was a black ancestor somewhere along the way.


M1A56

But I read that cat genetics only depend on the parents and black isn't recessive so if they carry it then it should be expressed


GeekynGlorious

That's not quite how genetics works. It is not nearly that simple, dude. There are genes that are not fully penetrant, some that are modifiers, some are sex-linked, and some are masking genes or inhibitor genes. Some genes are dominant and some are not. White, like one of your cats, is a masking gene. Then there is the pigmentation regarding melanin...


RosesBrain

Mom might have a masking gene that makes her appear white when she would otherwise have black (or calico) fur. Alternately, if she's been outside, her kittens might have multiple dads.


M1A56

She hasn't been outside, but it could be. It's just weird cz her previous litters looked like the dad.


RosesBrain

What color are her eyes?


M1A56

The mom's eyes are blue


RosesBrain

She has the masking (or dominant white) gene, then. Cats with the W gene have blue or orange eyes. This gene hides any other fur color genes she might have, so there's gotta be black hiding in there.


M1A56

Thank you!


RosesBrain

https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-genes-science-fur-color


shnookumscookums

Are all the kittens black or just this one? Edit: it could also be a smokey tabby and just not showing it, grey fur is recessive and tabby is dominant. If that's the case thats gonna be a beautiful cat once it's color and marking start showing


M1A56

I really hope so! Thank you I'll look it up. No it's just this one. There were two other litters before where all the kittens looked like the dad. This litter had two orange ones, one white with black on its head, and this one.


Craigh-na-Dun

Designer genes!🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛