Scientists solve the mystery of ginger cats – helped by hundreds of cat owners

Discovery has implications for all cells and tissues' and research bridged gap between scientists and non-scientists

After decades of mystery, new research has shed light on a question that has long stumped scientists and cat lovers alike - what exactly makes orange cats, well ... orange?

Two studies published in Current Biology last week by separate teams at Stanford University and Japan's Kyushu University at last provided some answers. Scientists have known for more than a century that orange cats inherit coloring differently from other mammals. Now - with help from hundreds of cat owners - researchers have identified the genetic mutation that gives orange cats their signature hue.