Michis in the game: Alex

By Jorge 

It's time to talk about the stars of the game: the pictures of the cats that my friends sent me to make the game. People that I have a good relationship with and that they are always willing to share the pictures of ther furry pets! We will start with Alex, the cat (in case you didn't notice).

 

Alex as a YouTuber

He's the cat of a dear friend of mine, to whom I met in an online chatroom in 2005. Yeah, I'm that old.  This little kitty's name is Alex and he's a tabby cat. 

What is a Tabby Cat?

The tabby pattern refers to a distinctive coat marking seen in many domestic cats, characterized by an “M”-shaped marking on the forehead, facial stripes, and either swirling (classic), vertical striped (mackerel), spotted, or ticked body patterns (1).

Tabby cats are not a breed—this pattern appears across a wide range of cat breeds and mixed-breed cats.

Analyzing Alex

Alex's features clear vertical stripes across its sides and legs, along with facial striping and the “M” on its forehead, strongly suggests that he has a mackerel tabby pattern (2).

Its coat is short-haired, sleek, and shows medium contrast in striping. There are no strong swirling patterns (typical of classic tabbies) or large spotting that would suggest spotted tabby. The pattern and coloring align cleanly with mackerel tabby markings.

 

Working hard to bring that fish on the table, but the computer does not cooperate 

Fun Fact

In fact, nearly all domestic cats carry the tabby gene, even if the coat pattern is hidden. The prevalence of the tabby pattern makes it extremely common in shelter and home cats alike(3).

 

Thinking on conquering the world (a common thought in all the cats)

 Here’s a deeper look at the mackerel tabby pattern: what it is, how it stands out among tabby types, and why it's so beloved.

What Is a Mackerel Tabby?

A mackerel tabby is defined by narrow, vertical stripes that run along the cat’s sides, (resembling fishbones), which is where the name comes from (4). These stripes may be continuous or occasionally broken into bars or spots, especially on the flanks or belly (5).

All tabbies exhibit a distinctive “M” marking on the forehead and facial striping around the eyes (6). Mackerel tabby is the most common natural tabby pattern and is present in purebred and mixed-breed cats alike (7).

Classic vs. Mackerel Tabby: Key Differences 

Feature	Mackerel Tabby	Classic (Blotched) Tabby
Stripe Pattern	Thin, vertical, regularly spaced stripes	Thick, swirling blotches or whorls
Overall Look	Sleek and tiger‑like	Marbled or “bullseye” appearance

Mackerel stripes often curve slightly and may be broken into short bars—whereas classic tabbies have much bolder, dramatic patches and whirls (8).

Personality & Traits

• Curious and adventurous: Mackerel tabbies are energetic, love exploring, and often get into everything; especially as kittens (9)

• Highly intelligent: They show dog-like responsiveness, can learn tricks like fetch, and are keen problem-solvers (10) 
  

• Friendly and social: While coat pattern doesn’t dictate behavior, many owners report mackerel tabbies are outgoing and enjoy human interaction (11)

 And according to my friend, the owner of Alex, he has all these cute personalities: he's joyful, cute and friendly. Always ready to cuddle and scratch you with love 

Appearance & Color Variations

• Mackerel tabbies commonly come in brown/black, but the pattern also appears in blue (gray), orange (red), cream, and silver varieties (12).

• Standard facial features include a light-colored chin, dark eyelid outlines, and striped legs and tail with dark paw tips 

Historical and Cultural Tidbits

• This pattern is considered the original tabby format, inherited from African and European wildcats, making it one of the oldest known coat types in domestic cats (13)

• In folklore, mackerel tabbies were once associated with witchcraft and magic, especially in the 16th–17th centuries(14)

• Mackerel stripes are unique to each cat (like fingerprints) with no two cats having an identical stripe arrangement (15) 

In Summary

• Mackerel tabby is a coat pattern, not a breed.

• Identified by narrow, vertical stripes, most visible across its sides.

• A dominant genetic trait that underlies other tabby variants.

• Energetic, smart, and curious, commonly described as playful and social.

• One of the most common and ancient cat coat patterns. 

So it is sure to say that Alex is a wonderful loving cat, thanks for being part of Saving the Michi! AR. 

He has 7 pictures in the game. Can you find them all?