 Siamese cats are, perhaps, best known for their sleek, distinctive appearance.

Although many Siamese cats are a silver-gray color with blue eyes, these
pretty kitties' coats can also be orange, brown, cream, and even blue or lilac-
colored, among other coat variations. But there's much, much more to
Siamese cats than their mysteriously good looks!

For example, did you know that Siamese cats are one of the oldest breeds of
domesticated cats in the world? Or that their coat coloring is determined by
their genetics and the temperature of their surroundings? Yes, really!

If you want to learn more—and want to check out some seriously cute photos
of Siamese cats—read on!

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As we said, Siamese cats' coats can be an incredible range of colors—and

those colors aren't only determined by genetics. Grab your lab coat and get
ready for a little bit of biology.

The color of a cat's coat is determined by several sets of genes and the
patterns of their coats are determined by modifier genes. Genetics 101, right?
Well, Siamese cats have a special modifier gene that inhibits pigment from
developing in the fur, resulting in albinism. But, thanks to the magic of science,
the modifier gene for albinism can only affect the cat's fur above a certain
temperature—or between 100 and 102.5 degrees, to be more precise.

Once a Siamese cat's body drops below approximately 100 degrees—or the
cat is in a colder environment—her genes for coat color turn back on and carry
pigment to her fur. Because a cat's body is cooler around her nose, ears, paws,
and tail, that's where pigment is most commonly deposited on Siamese cats.

Most Siamese cats are born completely white and develop their markings in the
weeks following birth. Why? Because the womb is very warm and blocks the
cat's color gene from reaching her fur. Following birth and being exposed to the
cooler atmosphere for a few weeks, Siamese kittens will start to develop
pigment around their faces, tails, and paws.