The cat being discussed has a unique and enchanting pair of eyes that may seem mystical, but there’s a scientific explanation behind it. The condition is called sectoral heterochromia, which is a genetic mutation that affects one iris and causes it to display two different colors. Heterochromia Iridis, meaning “different colored irises” in Greek, includes this type of heterochromia as a subtype. Humans and animals can both have this condition, and it doesn’t have any medical disadvantages, only aesthetic benefits.
So, what causes heterochromia? An animal’s eye color is determined by the amount of melanin in their genes. All kittens are born with blue eyes, and as they grow older, melanin granules collect in their irises, gradually changing the hue. However, a specific white spotted gene can interfere with the movement of melanin, resulting in heterochromia in white or white-spotted cats. In the case of this cat, there are varying levels of melanin within the same iris, resulting in the mesmerizing multicolored pattern. It’s not sorcery, but it’s still pretty remarkable!
While we were browsing through Love Meow, we stumbled upon some captivating pictures that we’ve sourced from Imgur. All credits go to the original owners of these photos.
