#ORIGIN OF ORAMGE MACKEREL TABBY CAT SKIN#

Nevertheless, they did not become so common until the advent of the 18 th century. Research has shown that tabby cats appeared during the Middle Ages. Hence, this silky and beautiful fabric was named after its place of origin.ĭuring the 14 th century, the French word for it was ‘atabis,’ which later evolved into ‘tabby’ in English during the 17 th century. Tabbies had their name as their appearance pattern was compared to a cloth or a type of silk taffeta that used to be a specialty of Al-Attabiya district in Baghdad, present-day Iraq. While history does not tell how tabbies got their unique patterns, it does have its versions of how tabbies go their name. However, this tale is not authenticated by a number of Muslim scholars, and some even say that Prophet Muhammad never kept a pet despite his tremendous affection for cats.

Hence, afterward, the letter ‘M’ was placed on the tabbies’ heads forever-symbolizing Prophet Muhammad’s love for them.

So, he then stroked her head in affection. The Prophet was watching the incident, and he felt grateful for this brave act of his loyal and lovely kitty. As soon as Muezza saw the snake, she immediately jumped and killed the venomous being so that the latter might not bite the Prophet when he wears the robe, unaware of the snake’s presence in it. One day, a snake slithered into Prophet Muhammad’s robe laying on the floor. It is said that Prophet Muhammad owned a tabby cat named Muezza. It is said that this stroking left Mary’s initial on tabbies’ head forever. It worked! Jesus was then pacified, and he had a peaceful sleep afterward.Īs a reward and thank you gesture, Mary then stroked the head of the kitty with affection. A tabby cat, who had been watching the whole case for some time, eventually came close and began kissing the forehead of the infant in an attempt to calm him up. Virgin Mary, the mother, showed up and took baby Jesus into her warm blanket, but the covering too was not warm enough to comfort the newborn.Īs nothing could calm the baby, Mary then requested all the animals around her to come close so that warmth could be provided by the heat of their bodies. Nevertheless, this arrangement failed to provide enough comfort to the baby, and he started to shiver soon and consequently began to cry. When baby Jesus Christ was born, he was lying down on a stack of hay-filled in a container. This also plays a role in enabling cats to see in dark-dim light. This not only makes their eyes glow in the dark but also brightens their view at night. Tabbies are the descendants of these Egyptian Maus, and the M marking on cats originated there, which they carry till today.ĭid You Know? Cats have a special material in their eyes, known as tapetum lucidum, which acts as a mirror and reflects the light passing through their retinas. It is, hence, said that cats were called so because their eyes were very bright at night – akin to the shine of the moon. However, the word ‘Mau’ also meant light or to see. The first legend comes from ancient Egypt, where cats were called Mau, most probably because of the sound they make: meow. Three legends are famous for M markings on all types of tabby cats. Ancient Myths and Theories Surrounding Tabby’s “M”

#ORIGIN OF ORAMGE MACKEREL TABBY CAT SKIN#

Hence, the answer to the question of how tabby cats got the M on their forehead lies in the genes too.Īccording to a study, these genes responsible for imparting the tabby patterns in cat breeds with stripes are “activated in an embryo’s skin cells before that cat’s fur develops.” These tabby stripes can be seen in the early skin cells under the microscope. These particular genes are also responsible for giving striped patterns to tigers and leopards. They have only recently revealed the reason behind tabby stripes: a specific set of genes set the tabby pattern on felines. Science Behind Tabby’s “M”Īs popular as our tabby cats are (think of famous orange tabby cats, Milo and Garfield), scientists know very little about their unique appearance. How Tabby Cats Got the M?īoth science and theories have jumped in to explain the mystery behind the M marking on tabbies’ foreheads.

Well, we will try to answer your queries here in this blog. Due to such noteworthy looks, a few questions might often pop up in your mind: How tabby cats got the M? Is it science or a result of some supernatural phenomenon? They are easily distinguished due to their unique coat patterns and the signature ‘M’ carved on their forehead. Tabby cats have been around for centuries.

Origin of oramge mackerel tabby cat