November Cat Calendar: Tortoiseshell Cats
Wednesday November 10, 2004
Tortoiseshell cats, like calicos, are almost always female, and rare male "Torties" are almost always sterile. The reasons for these anomalies stem from a complicated genetic patterning of chromosomes and genes.
Let's take a stroll through this rainbow of November beauties, each one reminiscent of a pile of maple leaves glowing in the crisp fall air. This beauty is Ladybug, who graces the home of About Guide to Western U.S. for Visitors, Betsy Malloy.
More on Feline Genetics
Comments
It’s not actually that complex according to my vet. Basically, Torties and Calicos are almost always females because the color of a cat comes from the X chromosome. A calico or tortie happens when two color genes “argue”, and this of course requires two “X” chromosomes. Female cats, as in humans and all mammals, are XX and males XY. Male torties and calicos are actually hermaphrodites, carrying an XXY chromosome pattern, which makes them sterile just as in humans with this pattern.
Hello,
Our tortie, CoCoBelle (4 years old) has a personality beyond description. When we adopted her at 8 weeks, we welcomed into our home a very unique kitten. She slept with us the first night…her purring was constant and loud, but she didn’t cry. The second night she slept on my head, the third night she wrapped her tiny body around my neck and kept both of us warm. She now sleeps between us and loves to spoon.
CoCo was my first tortie, and torties are wonderfuly different:
1) they are extremely clean and will spend five minutes in the litter box making certain everything is covered perfectly, and I do mean perfectly.
2) she mimics human behavior including washing and drying her paws and opening cabinets and drawers.
3)her jumping skills are amazing–including jumping on my head when she wants attention.
4)she talks talks talks, and also talks back. CoCo had an overnight visit at the vet clinic, and when we brought her home she talked non-stop for two days. The vet said that CoCo wanted to tell us all about her experience.
5)she responds to her name and other vocal requests.
6)she loves to be brushed, and will come running when I say “CoCo, brush brush.
7)she demands a “daily” tummy rub and will lay on her back and chatter to let me know that it’s “tummy time”.
8)she doesn’t like being photographed, and when she sees a camera she either hides or makes a sour face
9)she wears a bushy coat of autum colors that glow even brighter in the sun
10)and most important of all, she loves to be petted and sleeps for hours on my lap.
I am a cat lover — it doesn’t matter the breed or color…but CoCo the tortie is extraordinary. I wish I could tell you everything that she does. Torties are very very special.
God Bless All Kitten and Cats
CoCo’s mama