Page 7 - Kind News September/October 2023

AMAZING WORLD

Cat Coat CRITTER
CLUES

Colors 1 I am a gentle and

slow-moving animal.
2 I like to climb trees and
spend time in them.
3 I have large front teeth,
perfect for eating tree bark.
White, gray, or black; orange or brown tabby. Cats come in I enjoy fruit, too!
many colors, but have you ever wondered why? The answer
I
lies within the tiniest parts of their bodies, called cells. Cells 4 weigh between
have genes which tell how an animal will look, from her eye 12 - 35 pounds.
color to fur color. Genes are why green eyes or red hair run in 5 I can make a whole tree
some families! fall if I eat too much bark!
Genes are found on tiny, thread-like shapes called
chromosomes. Because of a difference between male and 6 My coat is soft except for
my back, sides, and tail,
female chromosomes, female cats are more likely to have more which have thousands of
than one color. They are more likely to have the basic colors of prickly quills ready to stand
black and orange together. up and protect me if
If you meet an all-orange cat, chances are that the cat is another animal threatens.
male. Around four out of five orange cats are male! Almost all
calico cats — cats with orange, black, and areas of white — are 7 Native Americans have
female. Because of the chromosomes in females, about 999 used my quills to make
clothing and artwork.
out of 1,000 calico cats are female!

Sept/Oct 2023 | 7
RIDDLE ANSWER: BOOKWORMS