[Curiosities] Chimera cat: curiosities and data that you did not know about this feline

[#Steeven.™]

These animals have one color on half of their face and another on the other half, it can even be on half of their body. What is this about? In La Red Zoocial we tell you.

Cats are one of the most common and beloved pets of Colombian families. According to DANE figures, it is estimated that around 40.2% of households in Bogotá have an animal, in 43.7% of cases, a cat.

Those responsible for these pets must recognize that there are different breeds of cats and that all of them, believe it or not, are unique and are willing to give a lot of love. For this reason, in La Red Zoocial we tell you 8 curious facts about the chimera cat. Let us begin!

1. A chimera cat is a feline that started out as two. “They have two sets of DNA because a pair of embryos fused early in the mother's womb. Then, chimera kittens are born with their own individual DNA, plus the DNA of a second embryo," says Catological, an organization specializing in feline nutrition.
2. They are not strictly a feline species, but have that appearance due to genetic alteration, as mentioned above.
3. These cats have two different colors in their fur. That is, they can have half of their face in one color and the other half in another. The same goes for his body and eyes. “Chimeras will often have mismatched eyes. This may be the most notable feature of some chimeras. It is a phenomenon called heterochromia”, indicates Catological.
4. They get their name from the Greek mythological being that was made up of various parts of animal species.
5. They cannot always be identified with the naked eye. Some cats may have unusual coats, but the only way to determine if they are a chimera is through a DNA test. In this way, the scientists would take samples from each side of the cat and compare their DNA.
6. There are other cats similar to chimeras. There are cats that have two different coat colors, for example, the calico. For one thing, chimeras have two sets of DNA that come from two different embryos that have fused together. On the other hand, calicoes have a genetic mutation that causes their fur to have multiple colors. They are also often confused with hawksbills. But tortoiseshell cats have a genetic mutation that causes their fur to have a specific pattern, while chimera cats have a mix of genetic material from two different embryos. “Calico and tortoiseshell cats often look like chimeras, but most are not. Most of these cats are female, but occasionally a male will be born. There are many possibilities that this male is a chimera ”, explains the cat food portal.
7. They are cats with ordinary abilities. Several people believe that this cat has above average intelligence or ability. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this belief.
8. Will a chimera cat have chimera kittens? Chimerism can run in families, according to Healthline. However, there is no way to ensure that this will happen.

 

😻 They are famous cats on the internet
An example of this is Venus, who has 2.2 million followers on Instagram. On one of her faces she has black fur and green eyes, while on the other her hair is orange and her eyes are blue.

Leslie Lyons, a professor at the University of California, explained to National Geographic that this cat is extremely strange. However, Lyons claims that she is not necessarily a chimera cat. To verify this, you should take a DNA test.

 

https://www.elespectador.com/la-red-zoocial/gatos/gato-quimera-curiosidades-y-datos-que-no-sabia-de-este-felino-noticias-hoy/