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Understanding Maine Coon
Color
The Science Behind Extraordinary Coat Colors
Understanding Maine Coon color begins with a simple truth:
Every coat color starts with a base pigment.
Everything that follows is simply a modification of that foundation.
THE BASE FOUNDATION
This is your entry point. Every cat must pass through this gate.
Level 1
EUMELANIN
The default pigment found in cats.
(Black Pigment)
If no Orange gene is present, the cat remains eumelanin-based.
PHAEOMELANIN
Produced when the Orange gene (O) converts black pigment into red pigment.
(Red Pigment)
If no Orange gene is present, the cat remains eumelanin-based.
tORTOISESHELL
bASE
When a female inherits one Orange gene and one black gene both pigment systems are expressed.
​
Rather than becoming entirely black-based or entirely red-based, she develops a mosaic of both pigments.
Co-DOMINANCE
(tORTIE)
Every tortie Maine Coon is simultaneously black-based and red-based.
THE RULE OF COLOR GENETICS:
All cats are Tabbys. But coat genetics determines if the tabby pattern is hidden or visible.
Level 2 - Agouti Gate - Visible Pattern OR Hidden
This gene determines whether a pattern can be seen.​
Agouti Gate - Visible Pattern OR Hidden
​
AGOUTI (PATTERN VISIBLE)​
Allows tabby pattern to be expressed.
OR
NON-AGOUTI (PATTERN Hidden)​
Tabby pattern is hidden. Cat appears solid.
Level 3 - Tabby Pattern & Its Arrangement (Agouti's Only)
Ta Ticked TABBY
Tm MACKEREL TABBY
tb CLASSIC TABBY
Ts SPOTTED TABBY
Minimal to no visible pattern. Pigment is only on the top of each hair.
Classic vertical 'fishbone' stripes running down the sides.
Bold, wide swirls or 'bulleye' patterns
Broken stripes arranged in spots or rosettes.
Level 4 - Dilution Gene - Softens The Pigment To A Blue Or Cream
Like Adding White Paint into Color
NO DILUTION ​
Black remains black.
Red remains red.
OR
DILUTION (RECESSIVE)​
Black becomes blue (gray).
Red becomes cream.
Level 5- INHIBITOR GENE (The Silver Gene)
CREATES THE SILVER OR SMOKE FOUNDATION
(ERASES HAIR AT THE BASE OF THE COAT)
Agouti + Inhibitor =
SILVER FOUNDATION
Tabby pattern remains, but with
silver background.
Solid + Inhibitor =
SMOKE FOUNDATION
No visible pattern.
Silver undercoat with colored tips.
Red Base + Inhibitor =
CAMEO FOUNDATION
Red pigment with silver tipping.
Level 5 - WIDE-BAND GENE (The Color Eraser Gene - SILVERS ONLY)
CONTROLS THE INTENSITY OF THE SILVER ON THE HAIR
LOW EXPRESSION
Black Silver
MEDIUM EXPRESSION
Black Silver Shaded
HIGH EXPRESSION
Black Silver Shell
Often called a Chinchilla, although this term is more commonly used within CFA, the TICA calls this specific color a Shell.
Level 6 - ADDITIONAL MODIFIERS - THE FINISHING TOUCHES.
PIGMENT MODIFIERS
White Spotting:
Amount and placement
of white markings.
​
Eye Color:
Gold, green, copper, or odd-eyed variations.
GG​
Rufism:
Dictates the amount of 'warmth' or red/yellow hues that bleed into the coat.
GG​
Other Factors : Environment, nutrition, and epigenetics.
E
​
Dominant White (W): An epistatic mask. It acts like a solid white coat of paint, completely hiding the cat's true color and pattern.
E
​
THE RULE OF COLOR:
Not every cat has every gene, which is what makes every coat so beautiful and distinct.