How often have you heard “You look just like your grandmother” or “You have your mother’s eyes”. Sometimes we wonder how can such similarities be possible. The response is heredity. Heredity implies that characteristics are passed from parents to their offspring. This is valid for humans, as well as other living creatures, such as plants and animals. And sometimes it can be so astonishing that you can’t believe it’s a real thing. Just take a look at these examples of how genetics did wonders on these pets. You are in for a treat of nature’s best work in these images!
The Paws
If you are a cat person, you will be amazed by this cutie! A specific genetic disorder caused her to have something which looks like double paws. Segments of DNA called genes contain the data for every individual's attributes, similar to whether they are short or tall, whether they have blue or green colored eyes, and whether they are a boy or a girl. And sometimes some special mutations can cause a special outcome like this.
The science behind this cat’s looks might be complicated, but there is one thing that’s for sure - it looks super cute this way! And by her pose, you can see she is aware of it.
One Ear
This cat, unlike others, misses an ear, and it might not seem so bad, but cat’s ears are very important for their life since they express their emotions with them. So, if their ears are low and flat, there is no doubt of what they’re feeling. It translates to "step off" and is indicative of potential aggressive behavior to come, including biting or scratching. And if they are “normal-looking” or neutral it also has some meaning.
When a cat's just being a cat, its ears are facing ahead in what's called the neutral position. Neutral ears indicate that a cat is feeling happy and relaxed and wants to chill out.
Extra Toes
If you haven’t been around many cats this picture might upset you a little bit and you might it’s something irregular. This is a polydactyl cat. It’s a cat with a congenital physical anomaly called polydactyly, which causes the cat to be born with more than the usual number of toes on one or more of its paws. It might seem like a very rare anomaly, but is it that rare?
The short answer is no. With their extra toes, polydactyl cats do indeed look unique. Their extra toes can make it appear as if the cats have thumbs or like they are wearing mittens.
A Loving Cat
This little furry bundle of love is so out-of-this-world cute that you might even think the image is photoshopped. It might be, but if it isn’t, this cat has hit a genetic gold mine! Even without the heart-shaped spot on her fur, it’s super cute, but with it, this cat is on another level. If we could judge a cat’s character by its physical appearance, then this cat is a ball of love.
And not just the heart on the belly! Take a look at this cutie’s ears. If there is some cat contest, this beauty is for sure winning it! She looks breathtaking!
A Dalmatian Pied
We’ve all seen the movie 101 Dalmatian. Now imagine that instead of dogs they used these snakes of the same pattern. It might be a creepy image but look at this snake’s skin. It has a remarkable resemblance to the famous dog breed. One might ask themselves how is it possible to see something like this in nature. Well, the chances of seeing them in their natural habitat are close to zero.
This unusual but beautiful animal is more likely a case of selective animal breeding since people are always trying to come up with new python patterns for the pet industry.
The Albino Dog
This beautiful dog is a great example of albinism. The state of albinism is characterized as the absence of color. Albinism is not common, yet it can happen in all creatures. This includes canines also even though it's very rare to see a genuine albino dog. More often than not, individuals could confuse a white dog with one that is an albino. But this super cute dog is a true albino!
Albino dogs have very specific characteristics and physical traits due to their condition. Much like other albino animals, albino dogs are simply unable to produce sufficient melanin, which explains their looks.
Cat Teeth
If you have a fear of cats, we warn you, that you will find this image a bit disturbing. Even though cats have long been domesticated, they’ve still got some of their ancestor’s ferocity left—just look at this cat’s teeth! Cats, unlike dogs, are not there to goof around, they want to be taken seriously and this cat is doing so! And did you know that about 80 percent of adult cats have problems with their teeth?
It’s true, and especially common is a condition called periodontal disease. The periodontal disease looks like stained or “dirty teeth”. Unlike those, which just look a bit weird, these give us chills!
Unfortunately, not all of these images present some cute quirks which make animals special in a way, some of them are serious conditions that can make our loving pet’s life miserable. Look at this poor cute doggie. He was born without two legs. A serious genetic disorder caused this dog to lose its frontal limbs. Your heart just breaks when you see him standing like this. Just look at this angel's face!
What we can only hope is that this cute little puppy has a loving family taking care of him and a home where he can live his life at least somewhat normally.
Muscular Cat
Just one look at this cat and you think: Wow I should really stop skipping my gym” But this cat is not a heavy-lifter if your mind went to that, it’s suffering from another rare condition caused by myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy. This is characterized by reduced body fat and increased muscle size, as you can clearly see in this picture. If you thought getting scratched by a cat is bad, try getting punched by this one.
With the muscules like this, this cat is probably the leader of the cat gang in the neighborhood, and even the dogs avoid having any conflict with her due to her physique.
Albino Doberman
Another cute albino dog shows that genetic mutations can look beautiful. But behind their aesthetic looks is the truth about a quite serious skin condition. Basically, these cute dogs are prone to much more diseases than regular dogs. Big light sensitivity in their eyes is a given for albino dogs, but there are a few other eye issues that come with albinism. Albino dogs might also have abnormally small eyes.
This species can also have malformations in other eye parts. These conditions are unfixable, and because of this, they can have poor vision or blindness from birth. Poor beautiful creatures.
Cat Turned White
This is another case of vitiligo in the animal kingdom. This kitty was born with a case of tuxedo markings, after which she turned almost completely white in three years. Vitiligo is a rare skin condition that only a few people might grow, yet so can felines and canines. A human or an animal with this condition encounters depigmentation, which happens when the skin loses its normal shades, as you can see in the picture.
The skin will become white (or light pink) in patches and hair in those spots can likewise become white. Even though she suffers from a condition, this kitty is still very beautiful and cute.
Cat Thumbs
Believe it or not, thumbs in cats are so common that there are even street names for this phenomenon. Due to their appearance, polydactyl cats have earned a bunch of nicknames. Along with Ithacats and Hemingway cats, they're also sometimes lovingly referred to as cats with thumbs, six-toed cats, mitten cats, and boxing cats. But thumbed cats are not necessarily just a mutation, there is a complete breed of cats with thumbs!
They’re called American Polydactyl cats, and they are bred as a specific cat breed, with specific physical and behavioral characteristics in addition to extra digits in their paws. Don’t they look like mittens?
Golden Retriever With a Black Patch
The story behind this puppy is actually so wholesome. This cute little beast’s name is Enzo and the birthmark on his face is not a hereditary trait, so Enzo was the only one from his litter with any black fur, and it's no more likely that his relatives will have a splotch. It's called a cellular somatic mutation. But Enzo used his birthmark to help children with the same “problem”.
This beautiful dog warmed hearts across the world while helping people with birthmarks embrace themselves as they are. His owner opened an Instagram account for him where she shares cute images.
Cute Ears
Doesn’t this cute dog look like he’s excited 24/7? His ears are screaming with happiness! In the canine kingdom, there are dogs with all types of different ear shapes and sizes. From the long, floppy ears of the Basset Hound to the perky, upright ears of the Boston Terrier, no dog ears are the same. This particular cutie seems like he is looking into the wind, his ears are defying gravity!
Dog ear styles are as wide as dog breeds themselves. From drop and erect ears to button, butterfly, and bat ears, there is a wide variety of ear variations to choose from.
Dogo Dwarfism
An adult dog with a body of a puppy? Yes, it’s possible, just look at this cutie in the photo! It’s called dwarfism, and it can be found in animals as well as humans. This condition is diagnosed when the dog grows abnormally according to its breed and age. Apart from that, there are deficits of other hormones that lead to other endocrine processes, such as hypothyroidism or heart problems in females, or testicular atrophy in males.
These conditions can appear at the same time in addition to dermatological problems and secondary infections. These poor cute puppies might melt our hearts but they can have some serious health issues.
Cat Vitiligo
This little furry cutie will melt your heart, she looks like a cute little tiger. It’s another example of vitiligo, a big skin condition causing the skin to go whiter. This disease is often hereditary, so if a previous generation experienced depigmentation, the cat or dog is more likely to conceive this unique skin disorder. Vitiligo could be a serious thing, but in some cases, it is also quite beautiful.
It's not clear why this serious condition occurs, but it's assumed that it happens when something interferes with the body's melanin-producing cells. In this case, the kitten looks like a cute baby tiger!
Dog Vitiligo
This picture is so wholesome! It shows how animals can help us with our mental problems or insecurities. This boy who’s suffering from vitiligo found a furry little friend with the same condition! The doggie looks super happy to help this excited boy. And if you take a better look at this photo, this cutie looks a little bit like a reverse panda! Both are equally cute with their patches.
This skin condition is quite rare, though some breeds are more likely to get it than others. Every dog looks different, with individual patches. But they are also unique and beautiful each time.
Heterochromia
Just look at this beautiful kitty and its different colored eyes. This rare condition is called heterochromia. And even though it's quite rare, a condition called heterochromia can result in cats having two different colored eyes. These odd-eyed cats typically have one iris (the colored part of the eye) that's blue while the other is either green, brown, or yellow. Heterochromia can also affect dogs and even humans too. And it looks beautiful!
These cats are so beautiful that they’re even bred as pets, with people willing to pay great money for these beautifully odd creatures. Their defect makes them perfectly cute and unique!
Cat Eyes
These eyes are so mesmerizing that you have to think about the beauty of nature and genetics! There are some beautiful examples of variations and mutations. When two parents pass on their genes to their descendants, the mixing of genes directs to genetic variation. This variation is the difference in genes between individuals or groups. But these genetic variations are not just physically appealing. Genetic variation is important because it helps populations change over time.
In many species, some individuals in a population will have variations that are more likely to help them survive. These beautiful eyes are probably not there to help her survive, but they are the cutest!
Frankie
Frenkie is a one-eyed kitty with four ears. This unique kitten found his home with a lucky owner who claimed “It wasn’t so much his unique look that sold him to me — it was his sweet demeanor, the way he explored his surroundings, and seek comfort from me”. So apart from being the cutest kitty ever, Frenkie is also super nice, even though the physical aspect of his condition has some impact on his everyday life.
“I went and saw him before his procedure and right away was struck by how sweet-natured he was. I knew he was special in a way I couldn’t quite describe.”
Special Rabbit
This unique two-colored bunny is called a Harlequin. It is a beautifully unique breed of rabbit originating from France. It is a breed based on the coloration and markings, rather than fur and body type. While these rabbits have primarily bred as show rabbits thanks to their incredible coat, they are also seen as affiliate pets. These animals are occasionally called the “clown of rabbits” due to their specific colors and markings.
Apart from being super cute, these rabbits can make immaculate household pets. They are very docile and sociable and even make perfect playmates for children. Just look at them, who wouldn’t want it.
Long-Tail
Every single person is unique. This means you are the only “you” that has ever lived or will ever live! How amazing is that! No one else looks or acts exactly like you. One reason for that is your DNA, which is different from every other person's. Your DNA is what makes you different from a frog, a tree, or even your best friend. The DNA is the reason behind some of these amazing animal features.
Like this amazing black cat’s tail, which is almost as long as the cat! But think about the logistics of this. You know how kittens could be with their tails, watch your steps!
Beauty With Vitiligo
This beauty is so unique that you could compare her with the midnight sky! In case you didn’t know, Vitiligo is very rare in cat species. When it happens, it is most easily seen on black cats. To sum up: The skin contains cells called melanocytes that produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Vitiligo occurs when melanocytes are destroyed or die off. It creates an appearance similar to this beautiful kitty.
Most cases of vitiligo in pets are hereditary. This means the gene pool of this beauty was quite interesting, showing us how beautiful genetics can be. But she doesn't seem to be happy to take pictures.
Beautiful Eyes
This beautiful cat's genetics made her eyes weirdly beautiful and memorable, but her eyesight is still perfect! Cat eyes are some of the most gorgeous eyes in the whole animal kingdom. Those fortunate enough to have pet felines at home get the chance to look into those gorgeous peepers whenever they like. If you take a good look, they look in a way like beautiful cracked marbles. And did you know this?
Kittens are born with blue eyes, which may stay that way or change color as the kitten matures. For instance, all pointed cats have blue eyes. Wondering how did these eyes come into existence.
Patches
There are some pretty interesting facts about genetics and mutations! Did you know that even inherited traits can be affected by the environment? A plant may have the genes for a certain height, but poor growing conditions or drought may prevent the plant from growing that tall. A retriever dog may inherit the instinct to chase things and bring them back, but he could be trained to roll over instead.
Wondering what type of genetic malformations caused this beautiful kitten to develop a unique black Incredibles mask. This super adorable little kitten looks like a small raccoon due to its adorable condition.
Pawn Mark
This picture might be the cutest thing you will see today! The mark on this dog baby’s face is one of the most beautiful ones in the whole animal kingdom. This cute genetical disorder might be a part of mutations. A mutation is a natural process that causes a change in the DNA code or information. Sometimes a part of a gene is missing, or a nucleotide occurs in a different order.
Changes in genes can result in changes to proteins made in the cells, which can cause changes in traits. These changes cause very specific conditions which sometimes manifest in the cutest ways.
You might have seen dwarfism in humans, but how would you recognize it in kittens? These are some of the signs you might notice: larger than normal head, undershot jaw with a shorter nose, crooked teeth due to shorter jaw, and abnormal bone shape, with poor growth or lack of growth, while bones appear shorter than normal. They also have enlarged joints and sideways bowing of forelimbs – front legs are more likely affected.
While some cats are intentionally bred to exhibit dwarfism, others are the unintended result of a congenital condition. Congenital hypothyroidism is another example of a hormonal cause of dwarfism in cats.
Four Ears
If you are an Instagram person, there are high chances that you have already seen this cutie. It’s called Midas, and it’s a cat with four ears who's become the newest social media darling. This cutie who looks to be a Russian blue was most likely born with an extra set of ears thanks to a recessive gene inherited from her parents. This caused this cat to become an online sensation.
She's already amassed nearly 50,000 followers, all of whom are smitten with the little cat's big, round eyes, an extra set of ears, and a heart-shaped patch of fur on her chest.
Kitten Toes
This cute kitten is one of several ones on this list with a case of polydactyl. While normal cats have a total of 18 toes, with five toes on each fore paw, and four toes on each hind paw; polydactyl cats may have as many as nine numbers on their front or hind paws. And these cats were especially adored by sailors. Why you might ask? Firstly for their extraordinary climbing and hunting abilities as an aid in controlling shipboard rodents.
Some sailors also thought they bring good luck at sea. The rarity of polydactyl cats in Europe might be because they were hunted and killed based on superstitions about witchcraft.
White Splotches
This beautiful dog is another example of animal vitiligo on this list. While these patches and depigmented spots can be esthetically displeasing or in some cases very appealing, they are not generally considered as dangerous to our pet’s health. Vitiligo is often hereditary but sometimes can develop as a severe autoimmune response related to and affecting the melanocytes. In some cases, the cause of this condition might be even stress.
One of the most common symptoms of vitiligo is splotches of white that start appearing on your dog’s face, especially on the nose or around the eyes. Like on this cutie's face!
Rainbow Reticulated Python
This mesmerizing python will leave you in awe even if you are not a big snake fan. Just look at this beautiful shimmering color! This pearlescent python is so unique that it managed to go viral on social media for its distinctive rainbow-colored scales. This snake is named MyLove and was born at The Reptile Zoo in Fountain Valley in California. You would wonder how could nature create something this beautiful?
Well, nature didn’t have much to do with it. According to the zoo, they carefully bred reticulated pythons for color and the result was the beautiful MyLove and her shimmering scales.
Two-Colored Eyes
On this list, you might have already seen a quite rare, condition called heterochromia which can result in cats having two different colored eyes. But this case is even more special. It’s two eyes that look the same, with two different combinations of colors, brown and blue. This condition is even rarer, but it looks astonishing. Not sure whether this is nature at its best work, or is it another case of breeding for pet purposes.
These cute kitties are quite expensive to own. A potential buyer looking for a “purebred” species as a pet can expect to pay over $1500 depending on their eye's colors.
Green Genes
How can we talk about beautiful genes in cats without showing this beautiful-eyed kitty with eyes like two emeralds? Cat eyes are quite interesting, and they are often specific to the breed. Green eyes with cats are found in breeds like the Egyptian Mau, which have green eyes in a bright gooseberry shade. Havana cats will have emerald green eyes, and Norwegian Forest Cats can have eyes in a range of green tones.
But the cat in the picture is something else. This eye color is not just a breed thing, it is a rare gene combination that made this beauty rare and unique!
Little German
This might be the cutest example of a German Shepard we’ve ever seen. This super cute little fella has a case of dwarfism which means he will stay looking like a puppy forever. This baby is called Ranger, and his dwarfism is caused by a parasite called Giardia, and although this pup is crazy adorable, his condition comes with some side effects. Some of these include flaky skin and hair loss.
His condition is serious, but Ranger is happier and healthier than ever. Although he’s still small, he is a huge part of the foster family and has captured the hearts of many online.
Narnia
This blue-eyed beauty is something else. She’s called Narnia, and her cute face was precisely divided into two halves: a gray half and a black half, which leaves everyone in awe when they see her. She’s breathtakingly beautiful! Genetics can do wonders and when you see these beautiful examples it makes you think how amazing nature really is! And just look at those eyes! One stare from this beauty and you are completely captivated by her beauty!
Beautiful kitty Narnia might be a great example of a chimera cat. This unique condition can occur after either two fertilized eggs or two early embryos fuse into one organism.