It turns out the unique color is caused by a recessive genetic mutation, rather than the expression of a gene known to turn cats white. The pretty black, white, and grey shade—named for a ...

Cat eye color is determined by the amount and distribution of melanin in the iris (the colored part of the eye). While brown eyes have a lot of melanin, blue eyes contain very little.

The team published a paper on the discovery in the journal Animal Genetics last year. The experts started by thinking the new color was down to the ‘dilution’ gene that cats have. Cats only ...