This Cat Looks So Unique, We Couldn’t Wait to See His Kittens!

Zorro is a cat with very unique markings. He’s white with black patches, including one in the shape of a superhero mask! When the internet found out this cat was expecting a litter of kittens, we were all holding our breath to find out what they’d look like–and if any of them would share his unique mask.

Zorro the masked cat

Zorro’s name is actually Boy. His nickname was given to him by the internet, after the swordsman by Johnston McCulley. Like the character, Boy has a very bold personality.

He earned TikTok and Instagram fame for his unique black mask, and even attends meet and greets to meet his adoring fanbase.

Zorro Jr.

When Zorro the cat had a litter with another black and white cat, one of the kittens inherited his face marking. Though the internet called this kitten Zorro Jr., he was officially named Bandit.

Of course, their social media surged in popularity once people saw the unique father-son duo that was Bandit and Boy. Adorably, Bandit loves hanging out at his dad’s side.

Zorro also spends plenty of time watching over his kittens and their mama, snuggling and taking care of them.

Cat coat genetics

The genes that determine a cat’s coat color are complex, which is why there are so many unique cats out there! Even two generic orange tabbies can have slightly different hues or stripe patterns. Since the white gene in cats works independently, cats can also have an orange and white coat.

Black and white cats, also known as tuxedo cats or tuxies, can be born even if neither parent is black and white. Genetically, they are black cats with white spotting genes that mask their black coat in certain areas–such as around the eyes.

Some coat colors, such as orange or calico, are linked to gender. Around 80% of orange cats are male, and nearly all calico and tortoiseshell cats are female. However, the tuxedo coat pattern isn’t linked to gender, so these cats may be boys or girls.

In the specific case of Zorro and Zorro Jr., their face masks come from a dominant allele that was passed down from father to son. Dominant genes tend to win out over recessive genes, making kittens more likely to inherit them.

Most genes work in pairs, with one inherited from each parent. So, it isn’t guaranteed that a parent’s dominant gene will be passed down through the generations. In this case, we’re sure glad it was, because how cute are these cats?