Breeders - what color is this wee girl?

[OJC]

We had three babies born 12.5 weeks ago. The boy was definitely black when he arrived, one lilac girl and the other girl a warm dark gray color with stripes, almost like a tabby (which I read blue's look like when born). As the boy grew he became lighter in color so now he's the same shade as the gray girl- both with black fur on their noses and around their ears, although the boy is furrier. I've been trying to work out what color the girl is this whole time??? The father is seal mink, so I thought she might be a solid seal (or seal sepia, I found online) but she doesn't have any brownish tones now. She looks like a faded black shade, like the color of her mother who is black and over a year old now. Mom's coat has faded overtime, she lost a bit of fur during her pregnancy that she's gained back and is now darker than the kitten in question, though her skin lighter - esp. her tail.

What color do you think this girl is???

See photos:
1) as new born kittens (lilac girl in center)
2) black boy on top, girl below
3) wee girl by herself
4) mother cat

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Looks black to me

 

[OJC]

Looks black to me

Even though she was born gray, not black? There's no doubting the boy is black. Maybe the girl just has less fur??? She's not as dark as her mom but I presume she'll fade over time too and be a mid shade of gray - see the photo alone of her, she has a lighter body.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Even though she was born gray, not black? There's no doubting the boy is black. Maybe the girl just has less fur???

Yes...variations of black vary greatly as they mature. Some get lighter and some get darker.

 

[OJC]

Yes...variations of black vary greatly as they mature. Some get lighter and some get darker.

Oh! I did not know that.

 

[Yoda mom]

@OJC, I have two black Sphynx .. Each a different variation of black
I am not a breeder but wanted to share my Sphynx black color variations

Such Adorable kitties .. Thanks for the pics!

 

[OJC]

@OJC, I have two black Sphynx .. Each a different variation of black
I am not a breeder but wanted to share my Sphynx black color variations

Such Adorable kitties .. Thanks for the pics!

 

[OJC]

Thanks. Post pics of your kitties!

 

[Catzzzmeow]

@OJC here is my girl. You can see she was very dark as a kitten and lightened considerably as she got older.

 

[OJC]

@OJC here is my girl. You can see she was very dark as a kitten and lightened considerably as she got older.

Oh! Quite a difference. She looks more like my seal mink’s shade. Very elegant!

 

[Yoda mom]

View attachment 84934 View attachment 84935 View attachment 84934 View attachment 84935 View attachment 84934 View attachment 84935 View attachment 84934 View attachment 84935 @OJC , my Toby amd Batman

Both have stayed the same black shade color as these older pics
Will find better pics for you
I do have others in my media

 

[Monica]

Cute kittens. Do you have a pic of the lilac girl? Lilac is such a rare and beautiful coloring! I love their lavender-pink noses!

It was my understanding that a lilac could only be achieved by breeding a chocolate cat- who carries blue, with a blue cat- who carries chocolate. It’s a double dilute coloring. I’m not a breeder, so I may very well be mistaken. I just looked into lilacs, as I would like a lilac point female in the future.

Regardless, they are all beauties. Oh, and I agree with the other Lairians, the other kittens appear to be solid blacks. Congrats on your cuties!

 

[OJC]

View attachment 84934 View attachment 84935 View attachment 84934 View attachment 84935 View attachment 84934 View attachment 84935 View attachment 84934 View attachment 84935 @OJC , my Toby amd Batman

Both have stayed the same black shade color as these older pics
Will find better pics for you
I do have others in my media

They look the same color as my seal mink boy in these pics.

 

[OJC]

Cute kittens. Do you have a pic of the lilac girl? Lilac is such a rare and beautiful coloring! I love their lavender-pink noses!

It was my understanding that a lilac could only be achieved by breeding a chocolate cat- who carries blue, with a blue cat- who carries chocolate. It’s a double dilute coloring. I’m not a breeder, so I may very well be mistaken. I just looked into lilacs, as I would like a lilac point female in the future.

Regardless, they are all beauties. Oh, and I agree with the other Lairians, the other kittens appear to be solid blacks. Congrats on your cuties!

Yes, she’s so perfect! Her dad’s mom is a lilac mink.

 

[OJC]

We’re now keeping the black girl too and spaying her as we found out she has aortic stenosis, a rare heart disease. It currently only shows up as a heart murmur and hopefully will stay that way as we look after her health through diet and supplements. She’s such an active little thing, and super purry. Unlike our lilac girl who only purrs when she suckles her dads nipples!

Their names are Storm (lilac) & Mystique (black)

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Congrats on keeping a second one. Both are beautiful. Love the names you picked out.

 

[Toa and Ross]

Fingers and paws crossed the girl will stay healthy. They're both very beautiful!