Science Proves, Orange Cats Are More Friendly And Loving

Illustration of facts about the orange cat (Unsplash/Michael Sum)

YOGYAKARTA – The assumption that the orange cat is a bad cat has turned out to be the reason the researchers conducted the survey. The study found evidence from their behavior which found that cats with orange hair were reported to be more affectionate.

Citing Psychology Today, the gene responsible for the color orange is linked to sex proves orange cats are predominantly male. Well, male orange cats, in research, are more friendly and loving than female cats.

But could there be other reasons, besides gender, that explain the orange cat's unique behavior? Research conducted by Pontier et al. in 1995, based on the orange cat's genes, found that orange cats may differ from other cats in several ways. Sample data from 30 cat populations in France from 1982-1992 were composed of 56-491 cats from each population. Interesting data regarding orange cats include the following:

Orange cats are more common in rural (less congested) than urban environments

These findings suggest that orange cats may enjoy greater reproductive success under certain social conditions. In rural settings, cat mating systems are more polygynous, meaning that while male cats tend to mate with several female cats, females tend to mate with only one male. Meanwhile, in urban environments, both female and male cats have multiple partners.

Illustration of facts about the orange cat (Unsplash/Matthew Larkin)

Orange cats may be more likely to engage in risky behavior

Orange cats are less common in areas with a greater risk of death. These findings suggest that orange cats may be more likely to engage in risky behavior that results in death.

Orange cats show greater sexual dimorphism

Orange males weigh more than cats of other colors, and orange females weigh less than cats of other colors. This pattern has been previously documented in Australia.

Male orange cats, perhaps relying on a different reproductive strategy. They may be more aggressive with regards to larger body size and stronger social status. So that reproductive success in rural areas, they are more dominant.

However, in an urban setting, their social status may not take them that far. In this crowded environment, female cats tend to mate with many male cats. As a result, reproductive success depends more on sperm competition than on physical competition between male cats.

Therefore, in urban environments, the competitive nature of orange male cats may increase their risk of death (for example, through fights with cats or other animals), thereby lowering the proportion of orange cats. This idea is supported by previous findings that larger male cats are more dominant and aggressive, resulting in greater reproductive success and a greater risk of death.

The study by Pontier et al, identified some of the unique characteristics of orange cats, but did not explain why orange cats are more friendly to humans. According to a review by Karen Wu, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology at California State University, LA, the risk-taking behavior of male orange cats makes him dominant. Their bold personality makes them feel more comfortable approaching humans and often scares shy cats.