Problem:
A vague question, but let me try to explain. My friend explained to me that in females, some cells use one X chromosome, while all others use the other X chromosome. This can result in some differences of appearance of certain individuals. There is a picture there that shows a cat with fur of two colors, each showing in seemingly random groups. My friend had explained that when one cell "deactivates" its X chromosome, all of its descendants have the same deactivated X chromosome, so it makes sense that the similar colors appear in groups on the cat's coat.
But it seems tigers' coats are much more complicated than that. The pattern on a tiger's coat is not completely random. They make very discernible shapes. There are clear borders inside which only black fur grows, and outside of which only orange fur grows.
Question: How is this possible?
I'm not suggesting that the patters on tigers' fur is in any way related to X-inactivation, since I know that only applies to female mammals. But X-inactivation seems like a "natural" phenomenon, while the stripes on a tiger (or other animals with complex patters) seem a bit more bizarre.
Question: How do the cells on a tiger's body know which color to show and still follow the pattern? Describe in detail.