Gingers Only!

Red hair (also referred to as auburn, ginger, or titian) is a hair color that varies from a deep red through to bright copper. It is characterized by high levels of the reddish pigment pheomelanin and relatively low levels of the dark pigment eumelanin. People with red hair are often referred to as redheads.Red is an uncommon hair color among humans, found mainly in Northern and Western European populations (and descendants of these populations), although it occurs in low frequencies throughout other parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. Red hair appears to be caused by a recessive gene on chromosome 16 which causes a mutation of the MC1R protein. It is associated with fair skin color, freckles, and sensitivity to ultraviolet light. Cultural reactions have varied from ridicule to admiration, with a common stereotype being the “fiery-tempered redhead”.As well as in humans, red hair can also be found in other mammalian species such as orangutans, squirrels, highland cattle, some breeds of dog (such as Irish setter) and cat, and certain species of fox and deer.Check out www.gingerkids.org for more information.