<P> A fifth includes tabby as part of another basic color pattern . The "patched" tabby is a calico or tortoiseshell cat with tabby patches (also known as "caliby" and "torbie", respectively). </P> <P> All those patterns have been observed in random - bred populations . Several additional patterns are found in specific breeds . A modified Classic tabby is found in the Sokoke breed . Some are due to the interaction of wild and domestic genes . Rosetted and marbled patterns are found in the Bengal breed . </P> <P> The mackerel tabby pattern has vertical, gently curving stripes on the side of the body . The stripes are narrow and may be continuous or broken into bars and spots on the flanks and stomach . An "M" shape appears on the forehead along with dark lines across the cat's cheeks to the corners of its eyes . Mackerels are also called' fishbone tabbies', probably because they are named after the mackerel fish . Mackerel is the most common tabby pattern . </P> <P> The Classic (also known as "Blotched" or "Marbled") tabby tends to have a pattern of dark browns, ochres and black but also occurs in grey . Classic tabbies have the "M" pattern on their foreheads but the body markings have a whirled or swirled pattern (often called a "bullseye") on the cat's sides . There is also a light colored "butterfly" pattern on the shoulders and three thin stripes (the center stripe is dark) running along its spine . Like the Mackerel tabby, Classic tabbies have dark bars on the legs, tail, and cheeks . </P>

What is the difference between a tiger and a tabby cat