Tabby Review

While you can find a Tabby as a random-bred domestic, many purebred registries (CFA, TICA) allow the Tabby pattern.

The prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had a beloved cat named Muezza. One day, when a deadly snake slithered into the sleeve of Muhammad’s robe, Muezza killed the snake and saved the prophet’s life. In gratitude, Muhammad stroked the cat’s back, giving it the power to always land on its feet, and placed his hand on the cat’s forehead, leaving the "M" as a sign of favor. While you can find a Tabby as a

: If you look closely, each individual hair often has bands of light and dark color, a genetic trait known as "agouti". Tabby Cats: Patterns, Personality, Colors & Care Guide In gratitude, Muhammad stroked the cat’s back, giving

The "M" is simply a genetic expression of the dorsal (back) pigment waves intersecting at the frontal midline. But the myths are much more fun. But the myths are much more fun

For decades, breeders worked to create the perfect spotted cat, but nature already had the recipe. The Spotted Tabby breaks the stripes into oval or round spots running along the flanks. However, geneticists note that the spotted pattern is actually a modified Mackerel pattern; the gene that breaks the vertical stripes into segments creates the spots. Breeds like the Egyptian Mau and the Ocicat exhibit stunning spotted Tabbies, giving them an exotic, leopard-like appearance.

The tabby is a testament to iteration . Evolution tried stripes, spots, solids, and pointed colors. But it kept coming back to the mackerel tabby—the fish-bone stripes running parallel down the spine—because it works . It works in the alley and the penthouse. It works in the rain and the drought.