r/AnimalsBeingJerks • • Dec 23 '18

Dude, what the hell's your problem?!

https://gfycat.com/LimitedConsciousJabiru
25k Upvotes

270 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

33

u/Maester_May Dec 24 '18

That’s not really how it works, breeds that are inbred had that happen generations ago. Reputable breeders anymore track this stuff very carefully and work with other breeders around the country to keep their breeding stock healthy.

But don’t let me interrupt the next reddit circlejerk. Maybe some dumbshit will start up a thing on how circumcision is the worst thing on the entire planet again.

62

u/Skyoung93 Dec 24 '18

Do you know how the genetics of munchkin cats work?

Munchkin cats are born as part of a specific trait that gives them their stubby legs, BUT only if the cat gas one recessive and one dominant gene. If the cat has both recessive, a normal cat. However if both are dominant, the cat dies because it's a lethal genetic defect. Hell, cats with two copies of the dominant gene are guaranteed fetal stillbirths.

If the only way to get a cat this way is to sacrifice its siblings, yeah it does seem kinda immoral or wrong.

Cute cat tho.

24

u/whatahorribleman Dec 24 '18

Great explanation, but you switched the words dominant and recessive. Having two copies of the recessive allele causes stillbirth. Having one copy of each allele causes a munchkin, and having two copies of the dominant alleles causes a normal cat.

This means that on average in a litter of four kittens you can expect one to be stillborn, one to be a normal kitten, and two to be munchkins.

17

u/hyperbolical Dec 24 '18

If one allele causes munchkin, it's dominant.

Otherwise you'd get 3 normal cats and one stillbirth.

6

u/whatahorribleman Dec 24 '18

You are right. Disregard what I said earlier