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When disaster strikes, official warnings and evacuation orders fill the airwaves. But not everyone leaves. The reasons behind this choice go far beyond ignoring directions. Social roles, local knowledge, and personal priorities often outweigh government advisories.



A new study from researchers at <a href="https://environment.yale.edu/">The Yale School of the Environmen</a><a href="https://environment.yale.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">t</a> sheds light on why many people stay put even when facing life-threatening emergencies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-disconnect-in-disaster-evacuation">The disconnect in disaster evacuation</h2>



“There's more to the story of non-evacuation than what literature and popular conversation suggests,” said Evan Singer, a doctoral student who led the study. 



“People who don’t evacuate are often acting rationally and with ample information. It’s just that they’re acting on different information, leading to this disconnect between state and local actors.”



The study reveals that the gap between government officials and local communities is not just about information shortages. Instead, it's about different interpretations of risk and priorities. 



This mismatch can lead people to make decisions that seem irrational to authorities but are entirely logical within their own contexts.



Published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, the study emphasizes the importance of understanding community perspectives, especially as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme weather events</a> become more frequent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-stories-of-staying-put">Global stories of staying put</h2>



To explore these differences, the researchers analyzed interviews, observations, scientific literature, and media reports from Japan, Indonesia, and the United States. Each region offered unique insights into how people perceive and respond to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natural-disasters-are-on-the-rise-but-hazard-plans-are-inadequate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural disasters</a>.



In South Florida, for example, Andrés Triana Solórzano observed a unique phenomenon: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-propose-adding-a-category-6-to-the-current-hurricane-intensity-scale/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hurricane</a> “parties.” 



Neighbors who choose to shelter in place gather together, sharing food, drinks, and advice as storms approach. These gatherings are more than social events - they are acts of community solidarity and mutual support.



In Japan, Shoko Yamada studied disaster preparedness after the devastating 2018 floods and mudslides. Her findings showed that older residents often relied on family advice over government instructions. 



Some were physically unable to evacuate without help. Others stayed to support vulnerable neighbors, prioritizing community ties over personal safety.



Michael Dove, whose research spans four decades, focused on Mount Merapi, an active and deadly volcano on the Indonesian island of Java. His work highlighted stark differences between government strategies and local community responses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-staying-close-to-disaster">Staying close to disaster</h2>



Mount Merapi looms over Yogyakarta, a city of nearly 400,000 people. It last erupted in 2023.



The Indonesian government closely monitors the volcano and has repeatedly tried to relocate highland farmers living on its slopes. The goal is to prevent casualties and maintain control during disaster.



But the farmers see things differently. They are deeply connected to their land and livelihoods. While they may temporarily evacuate during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/underwater-volcanic-eruptions-are-more-harmful-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eruptions</a>, they reject permanent relocation. To these farmers, the peaceful periods between eruptions are what matter most.



“They don’t want to evacuate. They know the state would remove them to less favorable outposts and have made peace with the danger of living so close to Mount Merapi,” Dove explained.



This difference in focus - immediate danger versus long-term survival - explains why many villagers stay despite the risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solidarity-in-the-storm">Solidarity in the storm</h2>



In the United States, a similar pattern emerges. Gulf Coast officials issue detailed storm warnings and evacuation orders, yet some residents choose to stay.



Triana Solórzano noted that these individuals are not unaware of the risks. Instead, they prioritize community responsibilities and future recovery over evacuation. Hurricane parties are a reflection of this mindset, where people find strength in solidarity.



In Japan, the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami killed over 18,000 people. Some of those who stayed behind did so to help others evacuate. 



During the 2018 floods, many older residents relied more on advice from family and neighbors than on official directives.



Japanese disaster preparedness advocates are now pushing for evacuation plans that consider these social dynamics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-disaster-evacuation-plans">Improving disaster evacuation plans</h2>



The research team believes that acknowledging these diverse perspectives can enhance disaster response strategies. By incorporating community concerns and values into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-pet-owners-are-not-prepared-for-a-natural-disaster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evacuation plans</a>, governments can improve safety outcomes.



“There's a lot of emphasis on reaching different groups with more emergency information, which I think should continue,” Singer said. 



“But understanding that people operate using different information, as well as sometimes not enough information, is a really important distinction for policymakers.”



The study’s comparative approach - balancing residents’ long-term concerns with immediate safety - offers valuable insights for improving disaster preparedness and response.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research Letters</a>.



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Why many people don't leave during disaster evacuations

When disaster strikes, official warnings and evacuation orders fill the...

An octopus taking a piggyback ride on a shark might sound like a tall tale. Yet a surprising video from the waters near New Zealand has given ocean-watchers cause to scratch their heads.



Marine biology professor <a href="https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/r-constantine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rochelle Constantine</a> from the <a href="https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Auckland</a> was on hand to document this unusual sight. 



She spotted a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blue-ringed-octopus-a-master-of-deception-inspires-new-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bright octopus</a> clinging to a powerful <a href="https://oceana.org/marine-life/shortfin-mako-shark/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shortfin mako</a> shark, the fastest of its kind in open ocean waters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharks-and-octopuses-aren-t-typically-friends">Sharks and octopuses aren't typically friends</h2>



This get-together was no mild meeting of acquaintances. The shark was swimming along without appearing bothered by its unusual passenger, while the octopus held on with all of its eight arms.



"The ocean is filled with unexpected things," stated Constantine, in a <a href="https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2025/03/11/sharks-.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">note</a> shared after the research trip. Reports suggest the creature stuck close to the shark’s dorsal area.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technology-helped-catch-the-octopus-ride">Technology helped catch the octopus ride</h2>



Without modern tools, this strange event would’ve gone unnoticed. The research team launched a drone and used a GoPro to get a clear view of what was really on the shark’s back.



Drones and waterproof cameras have become essential equipment for marine science. They let researchers monitor wildlife safely and document rare behaviors without disturbing the animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shortfin-mako-s-swift-reputation">Shortfin mako’s swift reputation</h2>



Many people find the shortfin <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-global-photos-of-killer-whales-attacking-the-enigmatic-prickly-shark/">mako</a> shark intriguing. It holds the title for the highest speed among all sharks, clocking more than 40 miles (64 kilometers) per hour.



These sharks grow to impressive sizes, often stretching nearly 12 feet (3.7 meters). Their streamlined bodies and aerodynamic fins help them chase swift prey like tuna and even other sharks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-octopus-got-on-the-shark">How the octopus got on the shark</h2>



While sharks command plenty of attention, the octopus is no <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turquets-octopus-dna-tells-scientists-that-west-antarctic-ice-sheet-collapse-is-close/">minor figure</a>. Octopuses are known for their flexible bodies, color-changing abilities, and knack for staying out of harm’s way.



Scientists believe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-octopus-day-the-intelligent-creatures-of-the-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">octopuses sense vibrations</a> through the water, making them skilled at evading predators. 



Their soft tissues allow them to slip through narrow spaces, which raises questions about how one ended up on the back of a large shark.



Encounter stories like these usually come from hidden pockets of the ocean. This unexpected duo popped up near the northern coast of New Zealand’s North Island.



"Incredible moments like this remind us there is more we don’t know than we do," remarked Constantine. She and her team observed the hitchhiking octopus for a short while before it continued onward.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-might-the-octopus-be-thinking">What might the octopus be thinking?</h2>



Octopuses have been seen using tools, escaping tight spots, and even unscrewing the lids of jars from the inside. 



Some <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8499036/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientists</a> believe they have short-term memory and a basic sense of planning, which might suggest that this hitchhiking event wasn’t purely accidental.



Could the octopus have been hiding from a predator, or trying to explore a new environment? Researchers don’t yet know. 



But holding tight to a moving shark might have offered camouflage, faster travel, or just a brief break from danger in open waters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



Shortfin mako sharks face threats from commercial fishing and the global fin trade. They are listed as <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/39341/2903170" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endangered</a> by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.



Although efforts to regulate shark fishing exist, bycatch remains a major concern. Mako sharks reproduce slowly, so their numbers can’t easily recover after heavy fishing pressure.



Odd encounters can teach scientists new things about predator-prey behaviors. Sharks usually swim near the surface, while octopuses often stick to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-octopus-has-mastered-the-art-of-multispecies-hunting/">seafloor</a>, which makes the partnership puzzling.



Data on these interspecies moments can hint at changes in ocean conditions, habitats, or species movements. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warming-seas-impair-octopus-vision-to-a-critical-extent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spotting an octopus</a> in open water might be a signal about local currents or unusual feeding patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharks-and-octopuses-grab-attention">Sharks and octopuses grab attention</h2>



When species behave in ways that don’t match typical patterns, it forces scientists to recheck assumptions. 



An octopus <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unprovoked-shark-attacks-dropped-to-record-low-in-2024/">riding</a> a shark may seem like a one-off event, but it raises deeper questions about movement, interaction, and adaptability in marine life.



Unusual pairings like this one can highlight stressors in the ecosystem, such as food scarcity, habitat shifts, or climate-related disruption. 



Even a short encounter, captured by chance, might help piece together a larger puzzle about how animals are adjusting to human-altered oceans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



People sometimes label sharks as dangerous. Videos showing a calm mako might reshape how some view these agile hunters.



Similarly, an octopus is no simple <a href="https://videos.fisheries.noaa.gov/detail/videos/b-roll-packages---all/video/5231307735001/b-roll:-octopus-giant-pacific-research-in-alaska">creature</a>. Researchers have found them to be quite intelligent, capable of short-term problem-solving and playful exploration.



There is still much to learn about how often such hitchhikes happen or why they occur. Marine experts encourage curious minds to support healthy ecosystems by reducing pollution and changing harmful fishing methods.



"One of the best things about being a marine scientist is that you never know what you might see next in the sea," wrote Constantine. When wild animals surprise us, it can spark fresh interest in protecting them and their homes.



Click here to <a href="https://youtu.be/3cYlBarkmDY?si=-NlGKY3j2HeJieCC" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watch the video of an octopus riding a shark...</a>



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Octopus caught riding on the back of the world's fastest shark in the open ocean

An octopus taking a piggyback ride on a shark might...

When was the last time you sat quietly in a garden, and let your eyes wander without a goal? Observation gardens are built for moments like these. They give people space to simply look, breathe, and feel present.



But beyond offering a peaceful break, these green spaces may do something even more valuable - they could help us manage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-eats-away-our-brains-cognitive-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-gardens-are-more-relaxing">Some gardens are more relaxing </h2>



A group of scientists recently explored why some gardens are more calming and relaxing than others. The research was focused on Kyoto’s Murin-an garden, a famous example of Japanese design, and compared it to a less carefully maintained university garden.



The team’s findings reveal why these special <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-spaces-near-homes-reduce-emotional-problems-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green spaces</a> soothe the mind. The study was a joint effort by <a href="https://en.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nagasaki University</a> and the University of Pittsburgh. 



"Unlike most gardens where a visitor is expected to move through its space and appreciate its elements from many different visual perspectives, an observation garden is designed to be viewed while seated at a single vantage point," noted the researchers.



"Indeed, the location of this vantage point is a critical design feature that is carefully chosen to maximize the impact of the visual scene."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-calming-effect-of-gardens">Studying the calming effect of gardens</h2>



The research team set out to investigate how the design of a garden affects our stress levels.



The scientists brought 16 students to two different gardens in Kyoto. One was Murin-an, known for its meticulous design and care. The other was a university garden that was more ordinary and less groomed.



Each participant spent seven minutes in each setting, observing the scenery. During this time, researchers tracked their eye movements and heart rates. The experts also asked the students about their mood before and after each visit.



“Well-designed Japanese gardens have evocative and abstract sceneries designed in great detail. These sceneries encourage the viewer to observe longer to understand the composition and meaning of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunsets-have-a-wow-factor-that-adds-value-to-landscapes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scenery</a>, while the gaze wanders more and faster,” said Professor Seiko Goto of Nagasaki University, who specializes in landscape architecture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gaze-patterns-that-ease-the-mind">Gaze patterns that ease the mind</h2>



The results showed clear differences. In the Murin-an garden, people’s eyes moved more quickly across the scene. Their gazes shifted from one detail to another, covering a wider area. This was not the case in the university garden, where people mostly stared at the central features.



“We found a correlation of rapid gaze shifts and a reduction in heart rate and improved <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-timing-has-a-powerful-effect-on-our-mood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mood</a>. The reduction in stress experienced by viewers of a well-crafted Japanese garden is largely due to the design features that lead the viewer to engage in frequent, rapid horizontal shifts in gaze,” explained Professor Karl Herrup, a neurobiologist at the University of Pittsburgh.



Maintenance also played a key role. A clean, well-pruned space invites the eye to keep moving. 



“To induce such close attention of the viewer, not only quality of design but also quality of the maintenance is important,” said Professor Goto. “Viewers’ gaze keeps moving to seek more fascination on the well pruned trees and speckless ground.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gardens-as-everyday-therapy">Gardens as everyday therapy</h2>



Beyond visual tracking, participants reported feeling more relaxed in the Murin-an garden. They liked it more, felt calmer, and expressed a stronger desire to return. Their heart rates also slowed, hinting at a true physiological response.



Interestingly, both gardens had similar features: water elements, stones, trees, and a bridge. But the way these elements were arranged made all the difference. In Murin-an, the design leads the eyes sideways, flowing with the layout. The university garden, by contrast, drew attention to one central spot.



“The Murin-an garden was designed as a viewing garden that should be appreciated from a specific vantage point relative to the design elements,” said Herrup. “It is this attention to detail that coaxes the eyes into the patterns that relieve stress.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-simple-pleasure-with-big-potential">A simple pleasure with big potential</h2>



The researchers acknowledge some limitations of their study. They had a short window of access to the gardens, and all of the participants were university students. 



Yet, previous research suggests that the calming effects of gardens apply across different ages, backgrounds, and even cognitive conditions. The experts also see potential for these findings to support people with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-grounds-could-help-prevent-neurodegenerative-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurodegenerative diseases</a>.



“Gardens are generally seen as a hobby for the wealthy, but if appreciating Japanese gardens can induce a relaxing effect, which intuitively everyone feels, it could be used as a form of therapy in hospitals and welfare facilities,” Goto concluded. 



“I think it would be good if Japanese gardens are built not just as a luxury but as a means of mental care in our aging society.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1581080/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Neuroscience</a>.



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Why some gardens are more calming than others

When was the last time you sat quietly in a...

Headshot,Of,Ant,Orange,In,The,Argentine,Jungle.,(linepithema,Humile)

Ants march across sidewalks and kitchen counters as if they own the place. They cross oceans inside cargo ships, set up vast super-colonies, and push out native species on six continents. 



Once a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-many-ants-live-on-earth-at-any-point-in-time-total-number-is-astounding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nest of ants</a> settles in, homeowners and farmers often reach for poison baits, yet the insects lose interest before enough of them carry the toxic treat back home. 



A new study suggests that a tiny splash of caffeine could keep the party going - and give pest managers an edge.



The research shows that moderate doses of caffeine sharpen an ant’s memory for the bait’s location. Ants that sipped a caffeinated sugar drop found it again more quickly on later trips, leaving a stronger scent trail for nest-mates. 



The discovery points to a low-cost tweak that might finally turn the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-perform-life-saving-amputation-surgeries-on-injured-nest-mates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invader’s own teamwork</a> against it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-ant-huge-impact">Tiny ant, huge impact</h2>



The Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) is only about one-tenth of an inch long, yet its cooperative spirit builds super-colonies stretching thousands of miles along the Mediterranean coast and the U.S. West Coast. 



Those armies displace local insects, rob hummingbird feeders, and even short-circuit electrical gear. 



Recent economic analyses peg the global cost of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-are-shifting-to-new-habitats-to-cope-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive ants</a> - including crop losses and control bills - at billions of dollars each year. No wonder pest crews keep searching for smarter tactics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giving-caffeine-to-ants">Giving caffeine to ants</h2>



To find out, researchers set up a miniature arena: a Lego drawbridge led each ant onto a letter-size acrylic platform where a single sugar drop waited. 



Some drops carried no additive, while others contained 25 parts per million (ppm), 250 ppm, or 2 000 ppm of caffeine. One hundred forty-two ants took part, and each explorer tackled the course four times.



“The idea with this project was to find some cognitive way of getting the ants to consume more of the poisonous baits we put in the field,” says the study’s first author Henrique Galante, a computational biologist at the <a href="https://www.uni-regensburg.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Regensburg</a>. 



Automated cameras tracked every step, logging travel time and the straightness of each path. Without caffeine, the insects wandered, needing the same span to reach the treat on every attempt. Add a modest stimulant, and the story changed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caffeine-gives-ant-focus-not-speed">Caffeine gives ant focus, not speed</h2>



“We found that intermediate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caffeine-evolution-in-plants-the-surprising-story-of-yerba-mate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">doses of caffeine</a> actually boost learning - when you give them a bit of caffeine, it pushes them into having straighter paths and being able to reach the reward faster," Galante explained.



In fact, ants that tasted 25 ppm caffeine shaved 28 percent off their foraging time on every return. Those on 250 ppm cut the clock by 38 percent. 



Picture an individual that spent 300 seconds during its first outing - it would need just 113 seconds after three more trips on the lower dose and 54 seconds on the medium dose.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caffeine-consumption-may-lower-the-risk-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The stimulant</a> did not act like an energy drink. There was no uptick in raw speed. “What we see is that they're not moving faster, they're just being more focused on where they're going,” Galante noted. 



“This suggests that they know where they want to go, therefore, they have learned the locations of the reward.” 



Only path geometry tightened; pace stayed the same. At the heaviest 2 000 ppm dose - the level that kills half of honeybees in tests - the learning advantage disappeared.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharper-trails-deadlier-bait">Sharper trails, deadlier bait</h2>



Argentine ants rely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-are-now-using-cars-to-travel-spread-to-new-locations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pheromone highways</a>. A worker that discovers food drags its stinger along the ground, laying a chemical breadcrumb trail that guides the next shift. Faster relearning multiplies that effect. 



“We're trying to make them better at finding these baits, because the faster they go and come back to them, the more pheromone trails they lay, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-deja-vu-the-symbiotic-relationships-of-trees-and-ants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more ants will come</a>, and, therefore, the faster they will spread the poison in the colony before they realize it's poison,” Galante continued.



Adding caffeine could also slash the waste that now limits bait stations. In neighborhoods and orchards, technicians often replenish gels every few days because the first wave of foragers gives up. 



A caffeinated lure might stay attractive long enough for queens and larvae to receive a lethal serving.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next</h2>



The team is already field-testing the recipe at infested sites in Spain. They also plan to check whether caffeine interacts with common active ingredients such as hydramethylnon or spinosad. 



“The lowest dose we used is what you find in natural plants, the intermediate dose is similar to what you would find in some energy drinks, and the highest amount is set to be the LD50 of bees - where half the bees fed this dose die - so it's likely to be quite toxic for them,” Galante notes. 



Selecting a concentration that boosts memory without harming pollinators will be crucial.



Caffeine’s appeal extends beyond Argentine ants. Other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dirt-ants-were-once-masters-of-disguise-in-the-caribbean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive species</a> - including fire ants and big-headed ants - share the same food-sharing habits that make baiting tricky. 



If the stimulant nudges their neural circuits in a similar way, managers could deploy a single additive across multiple pest fronts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-learned-about-ants-and-caffeine">What we learned about ants and caffeine</h2>



To sum it all up, caffeine improves ants' overall focus and learning without increasing speed, allowing them to navigate straighter paths and lay stronger pheromone trails. 



This effect boosts the effectiveness of bait traps, leading more ants to the poison and increasing the chances of it spreading through the colony. 



However, the benefit peaks at moderate doses - very high levels eliminate the learning advantage and can be toxic. So, overall, caffeine makes ants better at foraging and sharing, which ironically makes them more vulnerable to well-designed pest control strategies.



For now, the message is simple: a dash of coffee in the buffet may turn an army’s fabled navigation skills against itself. When the ants get better at remembering dessert, the colony’s days could finally be numbered.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(24)01157-X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



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When you give caffeine to ants, many interesting things happen

Ants march across sidewalks and kitchen counters as if they...

Orange cats are everywhere, from the iconic character Garfield to the independent tabby lounging in the sun. But what gives orange cats their signature color? For decades, the answer remained a mystery to scientists.



Now, researchers at <a href="https://www.med.stanford.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford Medicine</a> and <a href="https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyushu University</a> have cracked the code. The answer lies in a gene called Arhgap36. This gene behaves strangely in orange cats, turning their fur a vivid shade of orange.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-orange-cats-are-rare">Why orange cats are rare</h2>



Scientists have known for years that the orange trait in cats is linked to the X chromosome. Male cats, with their single X chromosome, only need one copy of the gene to flaunt their ginger fur. 



Females, however, require two copies to be completely orange. Otherwise, they become calicos or tortoiseshells, their fur a patchwork of orange, black, and white.



“In a number of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bengal-cats-wild-appearance-is-surprisingly-tied-to-domestic-cats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> that have yellow or orange pigment, those mutations almost exclusively occur in one of two genes, and neither of those genes are sex-linked,” explained Christopher Kaelin, a senior scientist in genetics and lead author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-mystery-of-cat-colors">Genetic mystery of cat colors</h2>



Kaelin and his team had a hunch the answer was related to the X chromosome. But which gene? They collected DNA samples from spay and neuter clinics, comparing orange cats to non-orange cats. 



After analyzing the genomes, the researchers found 51 genetic variants that could explain the orange trait. They narrowed it down to three. 



One stood out: Arhgap36. A tiny deletion in this gene cranked up its activity in pigment cells. Normally, Arhgap36 keeps a low profile, mainly operating in nerve tissues and cancer cells. But in orange cats, it’s louder than a kitten demanding breakfast.



“Arhgap36 is not expressed in mouse pigment cells, in human pigment cells or in cat pigment cells from non-orange cats,” Kaelin said. 



“The mutation in orange cats seems to turn on Arhgap36 expression in a cell type, the pigment cell, where it’s not normally expressed.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-orange-cats-are-usually-male">Orange cats are usually male</h2>



Orange cats are predominantly male, and it all comes down to the X chromosome. Males have one X and one Y chromosome. If that X carries the orange gene, they’re entirely orange. 



Females, with two X chromosomes, need the orange <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-evolution-not-random-gene-families-pangenome-influence-called-revolutionary/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gene</a> on both to sport a solid ginger coat. If a female inherits only one copy, she becomes a mosaic of orange and black.



This randomness creates the striking tortoiseshell and calico patterns. Some cells activate the orange gene, while others activate the black gene. The result? A coat that’s as unpredictable as a cat’s mood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-shared-genetic-breakthrough">A shared genetic breakthrough</h2>



While Stanford scientists zeroed in on Arhgap36, researchers at Kyushu University pursued a parallel investigation. Professor Hiroyuki Sasaki and his team examined DNA from 18 cats including 10 that were orange. The findings matched those at Stanford.



“This was such strong evidence that even at this stage, we were confident that Arhgap36 was the orange gene,” said Sasaki.



The researchers expanded their study, analyzing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/everyday-dna-damage-requires-constant-repair-by-cells-to-prevent-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA</a> from 49 more cats, and the same pattern emerged. The Arhgap36 deletion consistently appeared in orange cats but not in others.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origins-of-orange-fur">Origins of orange fur</h2>



Where did this mutation come from? Kaelin believes it emerged early in domestication. Ancient paintings dating back to the 12th century depict calico cats, suggesting the mutation is centuries old.



“This is something that arose in the domestic cat, probably early on in the domestication process,” Kaelin said.



Sasaki wants to dig deeper. He plans to study ancient Egyptian cat mummies, searching for the orange gene. The goal? To pinpoint when and where the mutation first appeared.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-at-the-gene-beyond-fur">Looking at the gene beyond fur</h2>



Arhgap36 isn’t just about orange fur. In other animals, it’s linked to cancer and nerve development. Could it affect more than just a cat’s coat? Sasaki thinks so.



“For example, many cat owners swear by the idea that different coat colors and patterns are linked with different personalities,” he said. “There’s no scientific evidence for this yet, but it’s an intriguing idea and one I’d love to explore further.”



The gene could also impact brain and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxytocin-holds-the-keys-to-both-your-heart-and-your-memory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hormone</a> function. Sasaki’s team found the gene active in several tissues, not just skin cells. Whether this activity alters behavior or health is still a mystery.



The discovery of Arhgap36 as the orange gene is just the beginning. Sasaki and Kaelin plan to investigate how the gene influences pigment production. 



The experts are also exploring its role in cancer and skin conditions, hoping to uncover broader implications for both cats and humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-orange-cat-mystery-solved">Orange cat mystery solved</h2>



For over a century, the orange gene remained a mystery, hiding in plain sight. Now, with the discovery of Arhgap36, scientists are one step closer to understanding how cats get their colors. But the story isn’t over.



Sasaki’s ultimate goal is to recreate the mutation in cat cell cultures, observing its effects in real time. Meanwhile, Kaelin wants to map out the entire molecular pathway, tracing how a simple gene deletion transforms a basic pigment cell into a beacon of orange fur.



From the dusty streets of ancient Egypt to the modern lab, orange cats have carried this genetic quirk for centuries. And as researchers continue to peel back the layers of DNA, the secrets of these fiery felines may prove to be more profound than anyone imagined.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)00391-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Why are some cats orange? Scientists have finally found the answer

Orange cats are everywhere, from the iconic character Garfield to...

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