7 Fast Facts About Ginger Cats

September 1st is National Ginger Cat Appreciation Day, started by software developer Chris Roy, who founded the holiday to honor his cat Doobert, the namesake of his website that helps shelters find volunteers. Whether you have an orange cat of your own or you’re a fancier of all felines, get to know these fun facts about carrot-topped kitties.

Fun Facts about Ginger Cats:

Most ginger cats are male.
The gene that gives ginger cats their famous fur color is located on the X chromosome, which means female cats need two copies of it, while male cats only need one. So anytime you see a red cat, there’s an 8 in 10 chance that they’re male.

Ginger cats can have freckles.
Just like their human counterparts, ginger cats are more likely than other cats to have freckles, which you can find on their little pink nose, eyelids, tongue, and lips. The little black freckles, known as lentigo, do not seem to be linked with sun exposure, though they can get darker over your cat’s lifetime.

All gingers are tabbies, but not all tabbies are gingers.
“Tabby” cats are those that carry the agouti gene, which creates stripey fur patterns with a distinct “M” on the cat’s forehead. All ginger cats, regardless of whether they belong to the Maine Coon, Abyssinian, or domestic shorthair breeds, are considered tabbies.

Male gingers are bigger than other cats.
Male ginger cats are larger than other males, possibly giving them an advantage when it comes to breeding, as well as the confidence behind their friendly, risk-taking personality. On the other hand, female ginger cats are known to be smaller than females with other fur colors.

Ginger cats are known for “looks, not books.”
Though it’s not understood why, cat parents of ginger cats often report them to be “derpier” than other cats. According to internet lore, all orange cats share one singular brain cell. It’s unclear if this stereotype has any basis in reality, though there’s some evidence that ginger cats are bold and confident, and more likely to engage in risky behavior, which could be the reason behind their clumsy, silly shenanigans.

Ginger tabbies are natural-born stars.
From Garfield, the titular character of the comic strips and movies, to the stripey feline in Pablo Picasso’s painting Cat Eating a Bird, Oliver in the animated film Oliver & Company, to the unnamed tabby in the post-apocalyptic video game Stray, orange cats are a mainstay across all types of media. It comes as no surprise to those who love them that ginger cats are naturally blessed with main character tendencies that keep them in the spotlight.

There’s a ginger cat near you waiting for a home!
If you have room in your heart (and your home) for a new cat, consider checking your local shelter. You can honor Ginger Cat Appreciation Day by bringing home a fiery feline of your own, or by donating or volunteering to help care for cats and kittens in need.