If your beautiful feline’s eyes are two different colors – yellow and blue perhaps – then you’ve got yourself an odd-eyed kitten! These captivating little creatures are carriers of a feline form of a condition known as complete heterochromia. Heterochromia is a captivating genetic anomaly most commonly observed in white kitties.
Genetic mutations are permanent alterations (or anomalies) of genes. While these anomalies can have different impacts on an individual – beneficial, neutral or even harmful – they are important sources of genetic diversity in populations of all species, including cats. Some of these genetic anomalies can result in interesting differences in physical appearance. Here are some of the unusual physical features in cats caused by genetic mutations.
The cat featured in the heading image is Narnia De La Grace (credits).
In Greek mythology, a chimera is a monstrous fire-breathing, three-headed hybrid creature. It was usually portrayed as a lion with a goat rising from its back with a snake for its tail. Homer described the Chimera in the Iliad as “a thing of immortal make, not human, lion-fronted and snake behind, a goat in the middle, and snorting out the breath of the terrible flame of bright fire."
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In Greek mythology, a chimera is a monstrous fire-breathing, three-headed hybrid creature. It was usually portrayed as a lion with a goat rising from its back with a snake for its tail. Homer described the Chimera in the Iliad as "a thing of immortal make, not human, lion-fronted and snake behind, a goat in the middle, and snorting out the breath of the terrible flame of bright fire."
Please note that you are reading the old version of this article. You can find the updated version here.
Merry Christmas dear pet hoomans! We hope you are all having a wonderful time with your families today. To help brighten this blissful day even more, we would like to tell you one of the most meowgical stories of feline genetics – the story of the Chimeras! In Greek mythology, a chimera is a monstrous fire-breathing, three-headed hybrid creature. In cat terms, luckily, a chimera is not scary at all! Chimeras, as we here know them at Basepaws are gorgeous and breathtaking genetic anomalies.
Header photo: Basepaws cat Simon, Lewiston, ID, hooman Mia Carlson
Paws are cute. And who has extra-adorable paws? Hemingway cats, of course! Hemingway cats are carriers of a genetic anomaly polydactyly. Polydactyly is a trait of an unusually high number of digits and it has been described in several species, including humans, cats, dogs, horses, mice, cattle, goats, sheep, springboks and birds (Hamelin et al, 2016). Polydactyl cats are often referred to as Hemingway cats, as they have gained their popularity thanks to the famous American writer Ernest Hemingway. Maine Coons are thought to be predisposed to this genetic feature.
Please note that you are reading the old version of this article. You can find the updated article here.
If your beautiful feline has two different eyes - a yellow and a blue, perhaps, then you’ve got yourself an odd-eyed kitten! These captivating little creatures are carriers of a feline form of a condition known as complete heterochromia. Read on and find out more!
Feline dwarfism is a condition caused by genetic anomalies which lead to stunted growth and abnormal feline body proportions. Unlike other variants of small cats, feline dwarfs are often associated with numerous health issues. While dwarfism in cats can be a result of genetic accidents, there are a few cat breeds selectively bred to promote the condition too. Follow-up to acquire the basic understanding of this potentially painful genetic defect.
If your beautiful feline has two different eyes – a yellow and a blue perhaps – then you’ve got yourself an odd-eyed kitten! These captivating little creatures are carriers of a feline form of a condition known as complete heterochromia. Heterochromia is a captivating genetic anomaly most commonly observed in white kitties.