Move over pumpkins, this cat is giving fall a run for its money. Meet Niko, a super-rare male Tortoiseshell cat whose vibrant mix of orange, black, and brown fur has people online absolutely losing it. But what really steals the show is his bright orange stripe down the middle of his nose that looks exactly like a tiny baby carrot.

People are amazed not only by his adorable “carrot nose” but also by the fact that he’s a male Tortie, which is a combination so uncommon that it’s basically a genetic lottery win. Just check out stunning Niko and his little carrot nose below!

The clip was shared on TikTok via the @male.tortie.niko account, and he’s got quite the fan base in the comments. “A male Tortoiseshell?” one person wrote. Another added, “A MALE TORTIE?! AND WITH A STRIPE ON HIS NOSE?! You’ve been blessed!”

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Others couldn’t get enough of his stuffed animal vibe, calling him “a peanut butter-scented novelty plushie you’d get at the mall.”

Honestly, it’s impossible not to fall in love with Niko. With his soft-looking fur, curious eyes, and that perfect little carrot stripe, he looks like a cozy fall day wrapped up in cat form. He has that rare mix of elegance and goofiness that makes Torties so beloved, and the fact that he’s a male just adds to his one-of-a-kind charm. He radiates pure autumn energy. It’s no wonder everyone online agrees that Niko isn’t just rare; he’s ridiculously cute.

How Rare Are Male Tortoiseshell Cats?

Male tortoiseshell cats are extremely rare—so rare, in fact, that it’s estimated only 1 in 3,000 Tortoiseshells are male. That’s because the gene responsible for a cat’s orange and black coloring lives on the X chromosome. Female cats have two X chromosomes (XX), so they can carry both color genes. Males, on the other hand, typically have only one X and one Y (XY), which means they can usually display only one color—orange or black—not both.

So how do male Torties like Niko exist? In most cases, they’re chimeras (cats who absorbed a twin in the womb), intersex, or have an extra X chromosome (XXY), a condition similar to Klinefelter syndrome in humans. This rare genetic quirk gives them their multicolored coats—but it often also means they’re sterile. Either way, it makes Niko one of nature’s most stunning little miracles.

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This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Nov 9, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.