Scientists have solved a mystery about cats. A research team found out why eight out of ten ginger cats are male. The team said a mutation in the X chromosome is responsible for a previously unknown "orange gene". A professor said male animals have an X and Y chromosome. If the male cat's X chromosome has the gene, it will be ginger. A female cat has two X chromosomes. The gene needs to be present in both for the cat to be orange.

The research has been published in a journal. The researchers analysed the DNA of 18 cats, of which 10 had ginger fur. Only the ginger cats had the mutant gene. Many cat lovers link fur colour with personality traits. The professor said cat owners believe that different fur colours and patterns are linked with different personalities. He said there was no evidence for this, but it was an interesting idea.