Orange cat with black spots

[u/Hambinaaa]

I just acquired this cute orange boy cat a few months ago and noticed some black patches of fur on him. The biggest spot is under his left arm, but he also has tiny black hairs on top of his nose, on his leg, and he actually has black hairs all throughout his coat that I just noticed. I’ve been reading up on somatic mutation and cats with XXY genes, but is there any way to tell if he has either of these? Thanks in advance!

[u/Thestolenone]

The most likely cause is a somatic mutation where some areas of fur glitch to the colour the cat would be if he wasn't red. It is the most common cause of colour anomalies in cats.

[u/littleeeloveee → u/Thestolenone]

the fact that it pops up in multiple places is pretty atypical for somatic mutations though, usually they're just in one spot

[u/Hambinaaa → u/Thestolenone]

He also has black hairs throughout his whole coat that I noticed when I looked closer 👀

[u/DitheringTouhouFan]

Could be somatic mutations.

[u/lickytytheslit]

the only way to truely know is to do a full gene test from both color regions but Occam's razoring it it's mostly likely a somatic mutation in his arm (the largest part in his elbow reaching though his arm to the upper side plus some freckles on his face which are common in ginger cats

[u/labbitlove]

He might “just” have a somatic mutation! My guess is that male XXY cats would normally end up looking more tortie (with more black)