Think "tabby" cat and the quintessential tiger-striped cat comes to mind. But "tabby" is not a breed, or a color; it's a pattern -- one so common that the gene responsible for the markings is supposedly present in all domestic cats, even the ones that don't show their stripes. Although tabbies come in a wide range and combination of colors, most have a distinctive "M" on their foreheads. Their markings fall into four main categories:
Marble: Thick bands and swirls form a bulls-eye on the sides:
Ticked: Solid coat with markings only on the face:
Mackerel: Thin body stripes and rings around legs and tail:
Spotted: Large or small spots, much like those of a leopard:
Holy, Makerel, I'm a Makerel!!!! I was reely surprized that thare were so many diffrint tabbies cuz I am the only one I've ever seen! Sinse thare are so many kinds, I think probly tabbies are THE MOST POPULER KIND OF CAT IN THE WERLD!!!
I guess I'm a mackerel too? But I have white on me so maybe I don't count. I guess that means Kaze is a tabby as well....hmm.
ReplyDeleteChase
I HAVE SOME TABBY MARKINGS TOO!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am a marble on my sides - I think mackerels and marbles go very well together!
ReplyDeleteI think the Ticked tabby is called ticked because she is all ticked off, hahahahaha!!! I posted a Tabby Tuesday today, Trip. Thought you'd like to check it out.
ReplyDeleteYour buddy, Jimmy Joe
hmm...what about a tabby that only has markings on his face and legs and tail, but no stripes on his back? the non-black member of our household (Rascal) has that goin' on.
ReplyDeleteyup ... i'mma mackeral, too!
ReplyDeletelife'z a trip ... eh trip?
luv--jh
Beautiful cats!
ReplyDeleteEven though my guys are a maine coon and bengals, I've got one of each: a mackeral, a spotty and a marble! I guess this means I'm not done until a ticked guy joins the family!
im a mackeral too, im kinda ticked on my back
ReplyDeleteAll domestic cats start out as Tabby Cats. I am tabby cat. I have black stripes on black background. when I lay in the sun you can see my "ghost" markings.
ReplyDeleteTabby cats are kool!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Tazo
That's a very interesting post Trip with lovely pictures. I think you look very mancatly in your devil outfit too:) xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm a mackeral too. I even have a ginger colored belly like the tabby in the picture. -Scout
ReplyDeleteDear Tripper. You are a very fun and happy mackeral. we are glad to know ya!
ReplyDeleteI think I am an orange mackerel! Thank you for the information, it was very informative.
ReplyDeleteI really like your picture, you are not very, very, very skinny, just like me : )
Ya learn somethin' efurry day, huh?
ReplyDeleteMr. Fuzzypants an' Pumpkin are Mackerel tabbies, too ...
DMM
Those are very interesting tabby facts!
ReplyDeleteBrainball's a mackerel orange tabby, too! Them's some kool facts about tabbies, Trip.
ReplyDeleteKittyhugs and purrs from MaoMao!
Trip, is that you in that "Monty" pose?
ReplyDeletehehe is that third picture you Trip?? hehe x
ReplyDeleteMom says I'm a marble tabby! Cool! Thanks for all this great information.
ReplyDeleteI have a mackerel tabby cousin on my blog today. She looks like you, Tripper!
Tabbies RULE!
~Jake