Olive, a cat from Derbyshire, UK, is like no other. With her unique features, this 4-year-old feline has caught the attention of many social media users. What sets her apart is her white coat that highlights her striking dual-colored eyes.
Meet Olive – a unique feline with a rare genetic condition called sectoral heterochromia, which results in half of each eye being yellow and the other half blue. This striking feature has earned Olive a massive following on Instagram, where she goes by the name Odd Eyed Olive. Olive is an Oriental crossbreed with Siamese traits, including almond-shaped eyes and a white coat. Although her eyes were not immediately noticeable when she was a kitten, they have since become one of her most captivating features. Owner Kim did not choose Olive for her eyes, but rather for her charming personality. As Olive continued to grow, her dual-toned eye color gradually became more pronounced, surprising everyone around her.
Sectoral heterochromia is a condition that Olive, a cute little cat, has. Her eyes are split into yellow and blue hemispheres, which makes her quite unique. Olive was brought home by Kim to add to their family of three other kittens. Olive is a very lively kitten and gets along well with the others. She has a significant following on Instagram of over 18,000 fans and is often seen snuggling with her boyfriend, Charlie, who also has striking blue eyes. Interestingly, Olive prefers cake to cat treats, which sets her apart from other cats. Olive’s breed is typical in many ways, but she is a naughty kitty who gets jealous if Kim pays attention to other cats. Olive loves to be massaged, especially her belly, chin, and anything else. Olive has a regular cat routine – she loves boxes, bird-watching while making ‘ek ek ek’ sounds and attacking feather toys.
The news source, Medical News Today, explains that heterochromia of the eye is caused by differences in melanin concentration and distribution. Melanin is a pigment that gives color to eyes, hair, and skin. This condition can occur in both humans and animals. The term heterochromia originates from the Greek words héteros meaning different and chróma meaning color. Sectoral heterochromia, which Olive has, is a rare form of this condition. Even among all-white cats, which commonly have complete heterochromia or differently colored eyes, Olive’s specific form of heterochromia is extremely rare. Unlike spotty or diffuse heterochromia, Olive’s irises each contain a blue and yellow hemisphere making her unique.
Olive, the cat with unique eyes, has a fascinating genetic backstory behind her mesmerizing gaze. Typically, all kittens are born with blue eyes that disappear once they start producing melanin. However, some cats like Olive’s friend Charlie sport blue eyes throughout their lives. While many white cats with blue eyes tend to be deaf, Olive has perfect hearing and vision. Despite her odd appearance, Olive is adored by her fans and is simply seen as a beautiful creature.