Did you know that black cats are so remarkable that they have their own special day of celebration?
It’s not Halloween - it’s Black Cat Appreciation Day, celebrated every year on August 17th by shelters, rescues, and cat lovers alike.
These mysterious and captivating felines have captured our imaginations for centuries, inspiring myths, legends, and superstitions. But what do we really know about black cats?
In honor of Black Cat Appreciation Day, let’s explore some fascinating facts about these beautiful creatures. And don’t worry, we’ll also delve into the myths and superstitions surrounding them.
Black Cats - The Real & Fascinating Facts
Here are some pretty cool facts about our beautiful black felines.
1. The Role of Eumelanin in Black Cat Hair Color
The black color of a cat's hair is due to a pigment called eumelanin, which is produced in the hair follicle. Black cats produce a coat that's rich in eumelanin, which gives their fur a deep, dark color.
Eumelanin is also responsible for the color of human hair, skin, and eyes, as well as the feathers of birds and the fur of other animals.
2. Dominance of the Gene for Black Coat Color in Felines
The gene for black coat color in cats is dominant, which means that a cat only needs one copy of the gene to have a black coat.
However, this also means that a black cat may not necessarily produce black kittens, as the other parent may carry a different coat color gene.
The dominant gene for black coat color is called B, while the recessive gene for non-black coat color is called b.
If a cat inherits one B gene and one b gene, it will have a black coat. If it inherits two b genes, it will not have a black coat.
3. The Fascinating Truth Behind Solid Blue/Gray Cats
Solid blue/gray cats are actually black!
They carry the black coat gene, but also a secondary gene that dilutes the concentration of pigments. This unique combination creates the beautiful slate blue shade of solid gray cats.
The dilution gene, which is called D, causes the eumelanin pigment to be spread out more thinly across the hair shaft, resulting in a lighter color.
Cats with two copies of the D gene will have a very light coat color, while cats with one copy of the D gene will have a diluted coat color.
4. Tabby Genes & Their Presence in Black Cats
Some black cats also carry the tabby gene. The black color usually covers the tabby pattern, but in some felines, tabby markings can be detected under the right lighting.
This means that black cats can have subtle stripes or spots that are not visible to the naked eye. The tabby gene, which is called T, produces a pattern of stripes, spots, or swirls on a cat's coat.
The dominant form of the gene, T, produces the tabby pattern, while the recessive form, t, produces a solid coat color.
5. Color Changes in Black Cat Coats Over Time
A black cat's coat can change color over time. As the cat ages, its coat may show gray and white shades, especially around the face.
In some cases, a "rusty" brown shade may also show up, particularly along the tips of coat tufts. This change in coat color is due to a decrease in eumelanin production as the cat ages.
The rusty brown shade is caused by a different type of pigment called pheomelanin, which is produced in smaller amounts in black cats.
6. The Irrelevance of Coat Length to Feline Coat Color
The length of a cat's coat is unrelated to its color. Black cats can have long hair or short hair, and their coat length is determined by a different gene than their coat color.
The gene for coat length is called L, and it has two forms: a longhair allele, L, and a shorthair allele, l.
A cat with two copies of the L allele will have a long, flowing coat, while a cat with two copies of the l allele will have a short, sleek coat.
A cat with one L allele and one l allele will have an intermediate coat length.
7. Black Cats: Breeds & Coat Color Variations
Black cats can be of certain cat breeds but they can also be more common domestic shorthair or longhair cats (of no particular breed).
You can't tell a cat's breed just by its coat color and pattern. Some breeds don't have a black coat as part of the repertoire. Bengals, Russian Blue cats, Turkish Vans, and many other breeds cannot be black.
However, many breeds such as Oriental Shorthair cats, Persians, Maine Coons, and others can come in practically all patterns and coat colors, black included.
8. The Bombay Cat: The Only Breed with Exclusively Black Coats
The Bombay Cat is a breed of cat that was developed in the United States in the 1950s.
The breed was created by breeding Burmese cats and American Shorthairs in an attempt to create a cat that looked like a miniature black panther.
The breed was named after the Indian city of Bombay, which is now known as Mumbai, due to its resemblance to the black panthers that were once found in the forests surrounding the city.
The Bombay Cat is known for its friendly, affectionate personality and is a great choice for families with children or other pets. Despite its name, it has no connection to India or the city of Bombay.
9. Historical Persecution: Black Cats & Witch Hunts
Black cats were targeted during medieval witch hunts in Europe. They were believed to be demonic entities that helped witches perform their dark spells.
This superstition has persisted to this day, and black cats are still sometimes associated with bad luck or evil.
However, in many cultures, black cats are considered good luck. For example, in Japan, black cats are believed to bring good fortune and prosperity.
Despite their association with witchcraft, black cats are actually just like any other cat. They come in all shapes and sizes, with different personalities and temperaments.
Black cats can make wonderful pets, and they deserve to be loved and cared for just like any other animal.
So much for actual facts. As for superstitions, many surround black cats and are often quite local and not easy to trace accurately.
Many cultures view cats as emblems of mysterious forces, black cats even more so. Here are a few superstitions about black cats from around the world:
- Black cats are said to bring good luck in the UK.
- In Jewish culture, a black cat crossing between two people means they're likely to get into a conflict.
- In the Edo period in Japan black cats were believed to cure tuberculosis.
Are Black Cats Less Adoptable?
Many sources claim that people tend to skip over black cats in shelters and adopt cats of other colors more quickly.
Actual fact, or just a myth? It's hard to tell. Not all shelters keep the relevant data, and those that do can't offer a conclusive statement.
The best study to date was conducted by Dr. Emily Weiss of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
According to Dr. Weiss, the shelters sampled were indeed putting more black cats to sleep compared to any other color.
However, they were also adopting more black cats than any other color.
The bottom line is, the shelters were taking in more black cats than any other colors simply because it's a very common coat color in that area.
According to the ASPCA, once in the shelter, these cats faced similar odds as cats of other colors.
We also checked with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), the UK's leading animal welfare organization, and asked them if black cats were harder to adopt.
According to their data, black cats do wait longer than average in the shelter before going to their new homes. On average, a black cat spends 33 days in the shelter before being adopted.
That's more than most other colors. Only dark tortoiseshell cats share that record. By comparison, gray tabbies spend an average of 23 days in the shelter, and ginger cats only 20.
Why such a difference? Could it be local cultural biases? It's hard to tell. The additional data does suggest that black cats may be at a real disadvantage, possibly depending on local trends.
Consider Adopting A Black Cat!
If you're looking to adopt a new cat, please consider cats of all colors and patterns. Don't overlook the black cats in the shelter.
Many members of TheCatSite.com have wonderful black feline companions and they can all attest to just how wonderful having a black kitty in your life is.
Each black cat is special. To celebrate Black Cat Appreciation Day and our love for black cats throughout the year, here's a special gallery of beautiful black cats.
If you're a regular in our forums you'll probably recognize at least some of them! And if you're not a regular, then join us today and submit your own photos of your cats - black or not!
Black Cats Gallery
Take a few moments to enjoy these photos submitted by our members and appreciate the beauty of black cats. Please share this with your friends, too, to increase awareness of these special felines.
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