38 Hilarious Photos From “One Orange Brain Cell” Proving That Ginger Cats Are Truly Unique (New Pics)

Unlike humans with red hair, orange-colored cats are relatively common. But if you’re not super familiar with these adorable kitties, we’ve got some fun facts about ginger cats to share with you, courtesy of ModernCat. First, did you know that, while not all tabbies are orange, all orange cats are tabbies?

Another interesting fact is that all orange cats have an “M” on their forehead. Apparently, this trademark symbol comes from the same gene that gives orange cats their tabby pattern. Something else that’s special about orange cats is that they’re almost always males. In fact, only 20% of them are girls.   

If you happen to have an orange cat, you will know that these kitties tend to be extremely talkative. Gary Weitzman, the head veterinarian at the San Diego Humane Society, says that a cat’s personality will be linked to their fur color. And for some reason, orange cats tend to be the biggest yappers!

Just like human redheads, orange kitties often have freckles too. These dark spots typically appear around their nose and/or gums. Meanwhile, the same pigment that causes red hair in humans, pheomelanin, causes ginger fur in cats too. 

Aside from being extra talkative, there are several other distinct personality traits that ginger cats tend to have. They’re often very affectionate and sociable, forming extremely strong bonds with their owners. Orange cats also tend to be playful, energetic, and curious. Because of this, their behavior is sometimes perceived as mischievous or goofy, which is likely where the “one brain cell” allegations stem from. 

It’s widely believed that orange cats are the silliest types of kitties, but is this really true? Well, experts told National Geographic that this may have more to do with the cats’ gender than the gene that causes their fur color. Carlo Siracusa, a clinical scientist at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, pointed out that male cats, in general, tend to be more outgoing. So the “single brain cell” behaviors observed in ginger cats might just be common in boys.

CNET also busted the myth that orange cats aren’t as bright as their feline counterparts, noting that a cat’s personality can be impacted by nature and nurture, just like a human’s.  

"I've definitely seen and worked with hundreds of orange tabby cats and seen a wide variety of personality types," Zarah Hedge, chief medical officer at the San Diego Humane Society, says. "I would say that a cat's upbringing and socialization to humans, other animals and different environments plays a larger role [than fur color] in their overall personality and how they interact with humans."

Orange cats are also very popular in pop culture, so people might have more preconceived notions about them than other types of kitties. But they’re not the only cats that have specific stereotypes.

Hedges pointed out that she’s also heard that tuxedo cats are more playful than other breeds. "And of course, there's been a long superstition surrounding black cats,” she continued. “Having lived with many different cats over the years, and working with many more in the shelter, I can say these stereotypes are not true. Each cat has their own unique personality."

No matter what cat you choose to adopt, there’s always going to be a chance that they’ll be absolutely brilliant or a bit derpy. But either way, they’ll definitely be adorable! And when it comes to who gets adopted from shelters first, white cats lead the way. So if you see a precious ginger kitty waiting for the perfect home, you might want to welcome them into your family. You could be saving their life, and in return, they’ll probably provide you with endless cuddles and unlimited entertainment for years to come.