Why Are Orange Cats So… Orange? And Are They Really That Weird?
If you’ve ever seen videos of orange cats online, you already know the vibe. They jump off furniture like tiny superheroes, attack your legs for no reason, and sometimes act like they forgot how gravity works. People on TikTok love to call them “chaotic,” “derpy,” or “friendly little troublemakers.”

But here’s the big question: Are orange cats actually different from other cats, or are humans just imagining things?
Let’s dig into the science — and the silliness.

Are Orange Cats a Special Breed? (Spoiler: No.)
First, orange cats are not a breed. You can find orange cats in many breeds — Maine coons, munchkins, bobtails, Siberians, and more. So it’s not like “orange cat” is a special type with its own rules.
Still, orange‑cat fans swear that these cats share certain behaviors, no matter the breed. That’s what makes scientists curious.

The Gene Behind the Ginger
Scientists recently discovered the gene that makes cats orange. It has a long name: ARHGAP36. (You don’t need to memorize it — unless you want to impress someone.)
But here’s where things get interesting: We don’t know for sure whether this gene also affects behavior.
Some studies suggest that people think orange cats are friendlier. But that might just be human bias — basically, people believing something because they’ve heard it a lot.

What Studies Say (and Don’t Say)
A small study once found that people described orange cats as “friendlier.” Another study found some behavior differences between cats of different colors — but most differences were actually linked to breed, not color.
And when it came to orange cats, the results were surprising:
Orange cats were more likely to show fear‑related aggression toward strangers. Not exactly the “friendly goofball” stereotype.
They also showed a stronger interest in hunting prey.
So… friendly? Maybe. Fearful? Also maybe. Chaotic? Definitely maybe.

Bias Is Real — Even for Scientists
Carlo Siracusa, a veterinary scientist, says that people’s beliefs about cats often come from their own experiences. He works with cats every day, and even he has personal theories — like male cats being more outgoing than females.
So yes, even experts have opinions shaped by the cats they’ve met.

Why So Many Orange Cats Are Boys
Here’s a cool genetics fact:

• Female cats have XX chromosomes
• Male cats have XY chromosomes
• The orange gene is on the X chromosome

This means:

• Females need TWO copies of the orange gene to be orange
• Males need only ONE

That’s why most orange cats are boys. It’s not magic — it’s genetics.

Can One Gene Affect More Than Color?
Scientists know that genes often do more than one job. For example, in humans, the gene linked to red hair (MC1R) is also connected to:

• higher pain tolerance
• different reactions to anesthesia

So it’s possible that the orange‑cat gene affects more than fur color.
In fact, ARHGAP36 is active in:

• the brain
• hormonal glands
• and pigment cells that start in the neural crest (a part of the embryo that also forms nerve cells)

Some scientists think this could mean the gene influences behavior. But they’re careful to say:
This is only a theory — not proven.

Cats Are Individuals, Not Stereotypes
Even if scientists someday prove that orange cats share certain traits, there will always be exceptions.
Siracusa says he sees this all the time: People choose a cat because they think the color or breed has a certain personality… and then the cat acts completely different.
Cats are like people — unique, unpredictable, and sometimes dramatic.

Why Don’t We Know More?
You might think that with millions of pet cats in the world, we’d know everything about them. But research money usually goes to urgent health problems, not “Why does my orange cat act like a clown?”
So some questions — even simple ones — stay unanswered.
As one scientist said: “Our world is still full of mystery.”
And honestly? That’s kind of cool.

So… Are Orange Cats Really Weird?
Maybe. Maybe not. Science hasn’t given us a final answer yet.
But one thing is clear:
Orange cats have big personalities — and humans love talking about them.
Whether they’re fearless, friendly, chaotic, or all three at once, orange cats definitely keep life interesting.