Because torties are not a specific breed of cat, their overall coloring usually appears brindle.Ī chimera coat describes a tortoiseshell cat that is one color on one side of its body and a different color on the other side. “Dilute” tortoiseshell cats are a lighter gray and orange rather than black and orange. Traditional tortoiseshell cats are a blend of deep orange and black colors. Tortoiseshell coats show up in many different purebred domestic cats, as well as in non-purebred cats. In the rare event that a tortoiseshell cat is a male, he is usually sterile. By definition, a tortoiseshell cat is a feline with a coat that resembles the mottled or particolored shell of a tortoise. Tortoiseshell cats are almost exclusively female. Tortoiseshell is not the name of a breed, but a description of a color pattern that can appear in cants of many different breeds and mixes. Calicos are very popular for their tri-color coat and are hence very much in demand.Tortoiseshell cats are almost all female.

These gorgeous looking felines are found in many different breeds of cats with personalities and behavioral characteristics of the breed that they belong to. They are even known to have rescued a whole litter of kittens from a burning building.Ĭalicos are one of the most beautiful wonders created by nature. Some calicos are reported to have being credited with certain acts that involved bravery, which includes saving humans and animals.

Calico with Children and other Pets sourceĬalicos cat breeds are endearing, affectionate, and intelligent cats and get along well with children. Some even believe that calicos are unpredictable and have a wild disposition. They are playful just like kittens, are caring, innocent, lively and mellow cats. Calicos can give you unconditional love and affection without pestering you. They are loving, loyal and sweet natured cats. Calico Cats HistoryĬalico cat breeds are fiercely independent, stylish and energetic cats. A calico cat is being selected as a state cat of Maryland in the United States. Ancient folktales have a mention of these types of cats in large number of countries and are considered lucky. Most people mistakenly consider calico cats as a breed of cats and also call them as tortoiseshell cat, but the fact is both these are different patterns and not a cat breed.Ĭalicos are considered lucky in some countries like Japan where this color is seen mostly on the Japanese national cat, the Japanese Bobtail. The most commonly found and domesticated cats are calico and it is their color patterns on their coat that has attracted more people towards them. Since X chromosome is responsible for giving the color to a cat more than 90% calico cats are female. Calico means a type of color pattern in which a white cat will have red or reddish brown and black patches on their coat. It may occur to any breed of cat and is not restricted to one particular cat breed. A calico cat breeds is not a particular breed of cat, but a color pattern, which any domestic cat can possess.

Calico cats