Why Siamese cats look the way they do is a bit tricky to understand. There are no siamese that are completely black. Some of them a black by their genes, though a special gene makes their color look lighter. They make their fur pale in some areas. Black Siamese are technically black on their extremities. However, a Seal Point is infact a Black Siamese cat. To make this easier to understand, let’s take a look at this breed’s unique pattern.
The Himalayan Gene:
The gene that gives siamese cats their special color is known as ‘Himalayan Gene’ or ‘Pointed Gene’. This gene changes how a cat’s color shows up depending on temperature. It is sensitive to heat, it only works in cooler areas like nose, ears, paws and tail and makes the fur darker. However, in the higher temperature parts like on the chest and belly, the fur stays lighter.
A Siamese kitten is born all white, since the temperature in the mother’s womb is constantly warm. And when they are exposed to the outside world the coat color develops gradually. Kitten’s extremities get darker first, the warmer parts like chest and belly stay light. It means you can’t tell its color pattern until it gets older.
A siamese cat gets one copy of Himalayan gene from each parent. They require both copies to have their special color.
Seal Point Siamese – technically Black or Not
Seal point siamese cats are genetically black cats. But because of Himalayan gene they do not look fully black. This gene affects how their color shows up. The Himalayan gene stops the black color from appearing on the warmer parts of the cat’s body, like belly and back. So, most of their body stays at cream or light color.
If you have a seal point siamese cat, you might have noticed that their fur becomes darker when the temperature drops or as they age.
Siamese Cats Color Variations
The Cat Fanciers Association Breed Standard generally accepts four colors for siamese cats
Seal Point Siamese cats have light cream or fawn colored bodies with lighter fur on the chest and belly. The extremities are dark brown or black.
Chocolate Point Siamese Cats have ivory colored bodies all over, with no lighter areas. Their extremities are soft warm brown, with pinkish brown nose and paw pads.
Blue Point Siamese Cats have white fur with a hint of blue and have light colored bodies. Their extremities are deep blue and their nose and paw pads are slate grey.
Lilac Point Siamese cats have icey white bodies. They have cool grey points with a light pink tone. The nose leather and paws are lavender pink.
Some other groups like, The International Cats Association accepts cats to have different color points, tabby point, ginger point or even mixed point.
But, irrespective of the color,the cat’s body must be light with dark extremities. That means all black siamese cats don’t exist. However, there is another breed that looks very close to one.
Closest Breed to Black Siamese Cat
You might feel slightly upset to find out that a truly black siamese cat doesn’t exist, they actually have cream colored fur around their bodies. But, don’t worry there is a great alternative.
You can check out, Oriental Breed, they are almost similar to siamese cats but don’t have himalayan genes. That means their fur can be black all over.
These black cats are called ebony and have green eyes rather than classic blue siamese eyes. Otherwise, they look and act just like siamese cats.
What About Considering Mixed Breeds?
Another way to get a black SIamese cat is to breed a black cat with a Seal Point Siamese. The kitten might get black fur from non-siamese parents. but , the trouble is they may not exactly look like a siamese.
Mating a siamese cat with black oriental cat, would give a higher chance of kittens with a similar look to a siamese but with a solid black coat.
Closing Thoughts
As true black siamese cats don’t exist. The presence of himalayan genes make their bodies light with dark points and that’s exactly what defines a siamese cat.
They cannot have solid black coats, until mixed with another breed. But they will not be purebred siamese cats.
The Oriental Breed is the best option, if you want black cat that looks like siamese cats. They look similar but can be fully black.
Interesting Article: Lilac Point Siamese – Complete Guide