Developing Patterns

Did you know that Siberians can take over 5 years to fully mature? Here is just one example of their slow development – their coats. This is my Siberian, Nikolai Zinoviy, when he first arrived in our home as a kitten and at 2 years of age.

Nikolai went from having a white coat with some rather odd sandy-colored markings and no stripes on his sides (first photo) to having a white coat with the gorgeous red mackerel tabby markings that he is supposed to have (second photo). His coat did change a bit more over the next few years, but at least he looks like the cameo/red silver mackerel tabby that we know he is (also confirmed by DNA tests).

Photo Credit: Winter Kot Siberians