Classic and mackerel are the most common types of tabby, and the classic tabby vs mackerel tabby debate often occurs among cat owners who want to correctly identify their pet’s pattern. The two patterns are closely related, as both belong to the same tabby gene family, but they have several differences that make it possible to tell them apart in seconds. This article will provide a brief classic tabby vs mackerel tabby comparison, as well as discuss other similar patterns that may sometimes be mistaken for classic tabby.
Classic Tabby Pattern
Classic tabby, also known as blotched tabby, is characterized by having wide stripes that extend along the body at an angle rather than vertically. The most common traits that can be used to identify this pattern are the following:
- Bullseye or target-shaped spots on each side of the cat’s body
- A butterfly-shaped pattern that spans across the shoulders
- Wide stripes that are usually curved rather than straight
Classic tabby pattern is recessive to the dominant mackerel tabby pattern, which means that in case of a conflict, the latter will be the one to show.
Mackerel Tabby Pattern
Mackerel tabby, also known as tiger tabby, is characterized by having narrow vertical stripes that extend from the spine to the sides of the body. Some of the most common traits that can be used to identify this pattern are the following:
- Narrow vertical stripes that span from the back to the sides
- The absence of any bullseye or butterfly-shaped patterns
- This pattern is the most common one among domestic cats worldwide
Mackerel tabby pattern is dominant over the classic tabby pattern, which means that it will show even if a cat has only one copy of the gene.
Classic Tabby vs. Mackerel Tabby: Why Are There So Many Patterns?
Although there are only two main tabby patterns, all of the variations that exist within them originate from a single gene. The reason why there are so many different patterns is that a specific gene controls which pattern will be expressed. Here is a list of the most common patterns along with the genetic factors that affect them:
- Mackerel is the wildcat pattern, so it is the original one, while the classic pattern is a mutation of it.
- Mackerel is dominant, while the classic pattern is recessive, which means that the former will show even if a cat only has one copy of the gene, while the latter will only show if a cat has two copies of the gene.
Spotted and Ticked Patterns
Spotted and ticked patterns, in fact, come directly from the tabby gene locus family which is also controlled by the same genes, Ta (ticked), and Sp (spotted), that are responsible for mackerel and classic patterns and they are still considered subtypes of the tabby patterns:
- Spotted pattern is similar to the mackerel pattern, except that its stripes are broken, forming spots. This pattern is common among Bengal and Ocicat cats.
- Ticked pattern is similar to the classic pattern, except that it has no stripes or spots. This pattern is common among Abyssinian cats.
Broken Classic Tabby Pattern
A broken classic tabby pattern is a variation of the classic tabby pattern that has wide stripes interrupted by white markings. Such markings can occur for two main reasons:
- The cat may have white markings that break up the pattern
- The cat may have a broken pattern that is caused by genetic reasons unrelated to white markings
- In either case, a broken classic tabby pattern will still be considered a variation of the classic tabby pattern
Classic Spotted Tabby Pattern
The broken classic tabby is not the same as the one above which is broken tabby; broken classic tabby is a white marking that breaks the swirls and classic spotted tabby is a fragmentation of the swirls into spots, but not necessarily an involvement of white. A classic spotted tabby pattern is a variation of the classic tabby pattern that has a broken pattern similar to the spotted pattern. This pattern is similar to the broken classic tabby pattern, except that it is even more broken. This pattern is officially recognized in some cat breeds, Although the Egyptian Mau spots do not come from swirls as with classic swirls but from broken mackerel stripes, it is not an example. A typical representation of this kind of change. An example of this specific change. and it is considered a variation of the classic tabby pattern rather than a separate pattern.
Classic Tabby Calico Cat
The term classic tabby calico cat is often used interchangeably with tabby calico cat, but it refers to two different things. The word calico refers to a cat’s coat color, while the word tabby refers to a cat’s pattern. In other words, a calico cat has patches of white, black, and orange fur, while a tabby cat has stripes, spots, or other patterns on its coat. A cat can be both calico and tabby, in which case it will be referred to as a caliby.
A cat that is purely calico and a cat that is purely classic tabby are two completely different things that cannot be compared to each other.
Conclusion
As can be seen from the information provided above, it is possible to distinguish between classic and mackerel tabby in seconds. All that is needed is to look at the cat’s sides and see if there are any bullseye spots and a butterfly-shaped pattern that span across the cat’s shoulders. It is also possible to use the list of differences provided in this article to distinguish between other similar patterns, including the broken classic tabby pattern and the classic spotted tabby pattern. In addition, understanding the difference between a classic tabby calico cat and a cat that is purely calico or purely classic tabby can also help distinguish between different patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you easily differentiate the mackerel and classic tabbies?
The classic tabby has large bullseye-like markings while the mackerel has more slender vertical markings that have the appearance of a stripe.
Which type of tabby do people encounter most commonly?
The mackerel tabby is much more common than the classic one as it is the dominant gene.
Is a calico cat a classic tabby?
A calico cat is not necessarily a classic tabby. Calico refers to a coloration pattern while tabby refers to another distinctive pattern. A cat can either be calico, tabby, or both.
