Cat sculpture

Salmiak cats

A salmiak cat is not a distinct breed but rather a domestic cat exhibiting a rare, recessive coat color mutation that can appear in any non-pedigreed feline. 

This unique pattern was first observed in 2007 among feral cats in central Finland, specifically in the village of Petäjävesi. 

The distinctive appearance is caused by a 95-kilobase deletion in the KIT gene (specifically a recessive variant known as wsal). 

This genetic deletion prevents pigment cells from functioning correctly as hairs grow, resulting in strands that are dark at the root and fade to white at the tip.  This creates an ombre effect on the cat's back that resembles salty licorice (salmiakki), a popular Finnish candy, while typically retaining a standard white "tuxedo" pattern on the chest, belly, and paws. 

Inheritance: The trait is recessive, meaning a cat must inherit two copies of the variant (one from each parent) to display the pattern. 

Genetic Mechanism: Unlike typical dilution genes, this mutation involves a missing chunk of DNA downstream of the KIT gene, which regulates melanocyte (pigment cell) development. 

Variations: While most common in black and black-and-white cats, the pattern can also appear in blue, brown tabby, and tortoiseshell variations. 

Which is your favorite?

Images emailed to me by a long-time reader. When he gives me permission to post his user name, I will post it here.
 

Gaijinrabbit's cat therapists

Johnny on the left and his mama Mei (pronounced like the 5th month) on the right. I need them as much as they need me. --Gaijinrabbit

Two photos...

I found these photos side-by-side on the Instagram page of Doug Savage, the guy who creates the comic "Savage Chickens'. 

https://www.instagram.com/savagechickens/

I'm not sure if these photos are connected, but I'd like to imagine that they are. What is that cat looking at? It has to be what is at the bottom of the stairs, right? What say you? What do you think?

I thought it was a wolf spider. The legs look too thin for a tarantula. If there is a spider expert among us, please let us know. 

#FB00930

 

When snakes with the wrong cat

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Dogs and cats together...

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Cat Jenga

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Cat markings

Exclamation-point cat

Lightning-bolt cat

Number-one cat

Broken-heart cat

Cat-on-back cat

Pink-nose cat

Chocolate-chip cookie tummy cat

Top-hat cat

#FB00727