The family gene.

Did you know, that a litter of cats can have different contributing males?

That means a litter of kittens can be from more than one father. Promiscuity aside, it does mean for some interesting mixes of cats, particularly if you're not interested in "pure bred" cats.

As a lover of all cats, I could not care less about the purity of my babies. I picked up these siblings from the shelter the moment I saw them listed for adoption and I have not missed a single day without them. In the beginning, I was confused as to why one had a short coat, and one had a long coat, it turns out that different fathers was not the reason.

Both parents must have carried a long hair recessive gene, but one more pronounced in another. I was also wrong about the longer hair being classified as long hair because it is still regarded as a short-hair just more fluffy.

In order to have true long-hairs, the gene known as FGFR3, fibroblast growth factor 3 must be present.

Tracing back the origin of my babies some more, I found that they more likely come from a lineage of Turkish Angora's mixed with Turkish Van's. Their black markings are the easiest give away as this along with the coloured tail is one of the defining features of the Turkish Van.