Tortoiseshell kittens inherit a gene for red fur from one parent and black from the other. But tortoiseshell males can still happen if there is a genetic mutation in which they have an extra X chromosome and which makes them sterile. Hence, the chances of a male tortoiseshell cat are scarce because males carry an X and a Y chromosome. The gene that encodes an orange or black color coat resides on the X chromosome. Tortoiseshell Colours are GeneticsĪccording to the article by the University of Copenhagen, Department of Clinical Veterinary and Animal Sciences, the unique tortoiseshell color pattern requires two X chromosomes. She used to cuddle with the guests at the movie cinema. Here is an interesting fact about a female tortoiseshell cat named Marzipan, who lived for 21 years and was a resident at the Astor Theatre in Australia. The female tortoiseshell cats are strong-willed, vocal, independent, highly active, and affectionate. Hence, there are around 99.96% female tortoiseshell cats, which makes male tortoiseshell cats extremely rare, approximately 1 in every 3,000. Tortoiseshell cats are usually female because the coat pattern is associated with the X chromosome, and the gene for the coat color is recessive. Most cat owners believe that their sassy personality traits may be associated with the unique features of the fur coat. These cats are known for their fiery and energetic personality. Very often, the colors get mixed, and the pattern turns out brindled (seems woven together) or patched (the colors in large sections). Tortoiseshells are predominantly black and red/ginger with orange, cream, and white. We can find the tortoiseshell color scheme in many cat breeds, such as Persian, Maine Coon, American Shorthair, British Shorthair, Ragamuffin, Scottish Fold, and Cornish Rex. Stelow on the study.Tortoiseshell is not a breed, but the pattern in a cat’s fur coat that resembles the tortoiseshell. “Just because they have a higher incidence does not mean they are a problem,” said Melissa Bain, veterinarian and associate professor of clinical medicine and epidemiology, who worked with Dr. Stelow said the findings should not discourage people from adopting a tortoiseshell or calico cat she owns one herself and believes they are great companions. The research found that cats with solid black, gray and white coats display less aggressive personality characteristics.īut this discovery does not intend to portray calico and tortoiseshell cats in a negative way.

The data also suggests that cats with gray and white or black and white coats are slightly more likely to engage in those behaviors compared to cats of other colors. “I have had Nala for two years now and she’s feisty, but she’s also very lovable and just as good as a companion as my other cat,” said Sarah Ellen, a third-year animal science major who owns a calico cat and a black-coated cat. The study found that cats with these types of fur color are more likely to hiss, chase, bite, swat or scratch when interacting with humans. They were significantly different from most other coat colors for aggression toward humans, but not for friendliness. “We looked specifically at aggression and friendliness. Liz Stelow, a behavioral expert in the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. “We undertook this research to explore a long-standing assumption among veterinary professionals and cat owners that calicos and tortoiseshells are somehow different,” said Dr. The study showed that cats with calico and tortoiseshell coat patterns tended to challenge their human companions more and exhibit more signs of aggression. They used a scale from zero to five to assess the frequency of behaviors, such as hissing and biting. The survey asked these cat owners about their felines’ behaviors, and requested that they choose a color category and written description that fit their pets best. To determine this, the researchers collected data from an online survey of more than 1,200 cat owners. In the research from experts in the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the researchers discovered that cats with calico and tortoiseshell coat patterns tend to be the most challenging and aggressive cats compared to those with less flashy, single-color coats. Recently, veterinarians at UC Davis discovered a possible correlation between feline behavior and fur color. Online survey of 1,200 cat owners reveals aggression tendencies among various coat colors.

Calico cat or tortoiseshell