Calico Cats Come in a Number of Variations:
Calico cats comprise a garden of cat colors, either vibrant orange (technically known as "red"), white and black, or more subdued flaxen, blue-gray, and white. In feline genetics, the latter is known as "dilute calico." The various patterns of the calico patches are almost as ubiquitous as snowflakes. You'll never see two exactly alike.
Calicoes are almost all female, and the rare male is always sterile. (So much for the hopes of those thinking of breeding a rare line of cats.)
Calico Cats are the Most Colorful Cats:
Calico Cats Have Personality-Plus:
Calicoes share that personality trait of tortoiseshell cats commonly described as "tortitude." They are sassy, spunky, and very independent. On the other hand, calicoes are sweet, loving, and loyal cats. If you hunger for unconditional love, a calico cat will willingly and enthusiastically fulfill that need.
Cat Breeds Embracing Calico Cats
It would be easier to give a list of those breeds which do not accept calicoes than those that do. Calicoes are not allowed in pointed breeds, such as the Siamese or Himalayan, nor those which allow only solid colors, such as the Bombay, the Russian Blue,and the British Shorthair. You'll find colorful calico cats in the Persian, Manx, Maine Coon, and Scottish Fold breeds, to name a few. Some breed standards even allow tabby patches in their calicoes. Calico is the most popular color pattern in Japanese Bobtails.Calico Cat Fame
A popular children's poem, written by Eugene Fields in the late 1800s, called "The Duel," featured "the gingham pup and the calico cat." In modern days, the State of Maryland officially named the calico cat as its "State Cat," in October of 2001. The calico shares the colors of Marylands State Bird, the Baltimore oriole and its State Insect, the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly.
