Ever wondered about those beautiful stripes and swirls adorning your feline friend? If your cat sports a coat of brown fur with distinctive markings, chances are you have a brown tabby! But brown tabby isn't a breed, it's a coat pattern found across many different cat breeds.
What makes a tabby a tabby? It's all about the 'agouti' gene which creates hairs with alternating light and dark bands. Coupled with a non-solid color gene, you get the classic tabby look. Brown tabbies showcase this in earthy tones, ranging from warm reddish-brown to cooler greys.
Four tabby patterns exist: classic (swirled), mackerel (striped), ticked (agouti hairs only on body), and spotted. Your brown tabby could exhibit any of these! Breeds commonly displaying brown tabby patterns include the Maine Coon, American Shorthair, British Shorthair, and even Persians.
So, embrace the beauty of your brown tabby! They're not just a pretty face; their unique markings tell a story of genetics and evolution, adding to the mystique and charm of our feline companions.
