The Siberian cat breed is renowned for its striking appearance, and a significant part of their allure lies in the vast spectrum of colors and patterns they can exhibit. This guide delves into the fascinating world of Siberian cat genetics, focusing on the common and unique variations seen in this majestic breed, particularly those bred by Snowgum Siberians. Whether you’re a prospective owner or an admirer, understanding these traits will enhance your appreciation for these beautiful felines.
Siberian cats are available in a wide array of colors and patterns, with breeders often specializing in certain hues. At Snowgum, the focus is on breeding brown, golden, and silver variations, with occasional introductions of blue. Many kittens are born with white markings, ranging from subtle “with white” to more extensive “high white” patterns, though most are bred without white. Excitingly, the genetic capabilities to produce red and tortoiseshell (tortie) kittens have also been developed, adding further variety. All kittens are born with blue eyes that will transition to their adult green or gold coloration. This page aims to clarify the terminology used to describe these colors and patterns, showcasing some of the beautiful kittens bred by Snowgum. It’s important to note that a Siberian’s coat can undergo significant changes as they mature; markings may fade, and coats can lighten in color with age. All photos featured are of Snowgum’s breeding cats or kittens, taken by the breeders themselves, ensuring authenticity.
Siberian Cat Patterns
Siberian cats display a variety of coat patterns, each contributing to their unique look. These include:
- Mackerel (Striped): Characterized by narrow, parallel stripes running down their sides.
- Classic (Blotched): Features bold, swirling patterns on their sides, often resembling a bullseye.
- Spotted: Stripes are broken into distinct spots, giving a leopard-like appearance.
- Shaded: The pattern is significantly faded, with only the tips of the hairs carrying color. This pattern is commonly seen in golden and silver cats.
- Solid: These cats appear to be a single color (e.g., black, blue), although a genetic tabby pattern may be masked. When combined with the silver gene, solid colors result in “smokes.”
- Pointed (Neva Masquerade): A distinctive pattern where the body is pale, and color is concentrated on the face, legs, and tail, similar to Siamese or Birman cats. These Siberians also have blue eyes and are often referred to as “Neva Masquerades.”
All tabby patterns, regardless of the base color, will feature the characteristic “M” marking on their forehead, striped legs, and spotted tummies. The classic pattern is genetically recessive and thus rarer, while shaded tabbies are also less common than other patterns.
Classic Tabby Siberian Kitten Astro
Exploring Siberian Cat Colors
Beyond patterns, the diverse color palette of Siberian cats is equally captivating.
Brown (Black) Tabbies
Brown tabbies, sometimes referred to as black tabbies depending on the registry, embody the wild essence of the Siberian cat. Their appearance evokes images of forest cats hunting in their natural habitat. These cats exhibit a range of brown shades, from deep, cool browns to lighter, warmer tones that can verge on gold. Their wild look often makes them stand out in show rings, and they frequently possess superior physical type compared to other color variations.
Brown Classic Tabby Siberian Kitten Mickey 3 weeks
Golden Tabbies
Golden Siberians possess a truly mesmerizing color that shimmers like pure gold, making them incredibly eye-catching. Breeding these cats can be challenging, as the genetics behind their unique coloration are still being fully understood. Unlike golden Persians, golden Siberians often display a brighter gold hue with pink nose leather and black paw pads. In some registries, like TICA, only the shaded tabby pattern is recognized in goldens, leading them to be registered as either golden shaded or brown tabbies based on pattern intensity. Other registries acknowledge various tabby patterns in golden cats. Similar to brown tabbies, golden Siberians come in a spectrum of shades, from pale straw to deep apricot.
Golden Classic Tabby Siberian Kitten Theo 3 weeks
Silver Tabbies
Silver coloration occurs due to the Inhibitor gene, which essentially “strips” the color from the base of the hair shaft, leaving it white. This results in a cat with a white undercoat and color only on the outer portion of the hair. The extent of this color banding determines whether the cat appears as a tabby or a shaded silver. Most commonly, silvers are “black-silver,” meaning they are brown tabbies with the inhibitor gene, giving them a silvery appearance with black tips. However, variations like blue, red, and cream silvers also exist. The intensity of silvering can vary greatly, from dark black silvers to very pale ones. Often, a subtle “tarnishing,” a hint of golden hues, can appear in silver coats due to the presence of golden genes, which can be quite beautiful.
Silver Classic Tabby Siberian Kitten Xena
Blue and Cream Tabbies
Blue and cream colors are the result of the “dilute” modifier gene, which is recessive. This means these colors appear less frequently. Blue is a muted grayish-blue, akin to a koala’s fur, and occurs when dilute genes modify a brown (black) tabby coat. Cream is produced when dilute genes act upon a red coat.
Blue Golden Classic Siberian Kitten Bluebelle
Red and Tortie Tabbies
With the introduction of a beautiful tortie girl into their breeding program, Snowgum Siberians can now produce red (male) and tortie tabby (female) kittens. Tortie tabbies, also known as “torbies,” display patches of red interspersed within a brown, blue, or silver tabby coat. The size, number, and placement of these patches can vary significantly. Torties are almost exclusively female, and their owners often describe them as having spirited personalities. In silver torties, the red patches tend to appear more subdued compared to those without the silver gene.
Tortie Tabby (also called Torbie) Siberian Kitten Mushka
Solids (Selfs)
Solid, or “self,” colors are also possible in Siberian cats, meaning the coat displays a single, uniform color without any visible tabby pattern. This includes solid black, blue, red, or white. Genetically, these cats still possess a tabby pattern, but it is masked by the solid color. Adding the silver Inhibitor gene to a solid color results in smoke variations. While solid black or blue kittens haven’t been bred by Snowgum yet, they have produced black smoke kittens.
Black Smoke Siberian Kitten
With White and High White/Bicolour
The terms “with white” and “high white” (or bicolour) describe the presence and extent of white markings on a Siberian cat’s coat. “With white” indicates some areas of white, often on the bib and paws, but white can appear anywhere. “High white” or “bicolour” signifies a coat with a significant amount of white. If white markings cover the nose, the nose leather will be bright pink. Similarly, white paws will have pink toe beans. The distribution and amount of white can vary greatly between individual cats, though it can often be inherited in patterns similar to a white-marked parent.
Silver Spotted Tabby and White Siberian Kitten
Understanding these color and pattern variations offers a deeper appreciation for the genetic diversity and stunning aesthetics of the Siberian cat breed. Each combination contributes to the unique beauty of these magnificent felines.
