As a last hope, the town sent out a local calico feline to be station master, where she would welcome travelers as they passed by. In 2007, the Kinokawa train station will be shut because of expenditure concerns. A calico feline saved Japan's train station from being shut down.In some cases, Calilcoes are referred to as 'cash cats.' Individuals also think that calico cats bring good luck to the homes of families who embrace them. Because of their rarity, calico cats are considered fortune charms and indicators of good luck worldwide.

For example, they are called and Mike Neko (三毛猫) (Japanese for ' triple fur') and lapjeskat (Dutch for ' patches cat'). Calico cats are given different names across cultures.The famous Lucky Cat is based upon a calico cat.This is the same as the Baltimore Oriole's feather shades, Maryland's state bird. A calico's fur colors are a mix of white, black, and orange. As a result of their color, calico cats proclaimed the Maryland state cat in 2001.This is a genetic problem that creates sterility, amongst numerous other health problems. Almost all male calicoes are sterile-male calicoes usually have Klinefelter's syndrome.The genetics of calico cats that determine their coloring makes it so that 99.9% of calico felines are female.Likewise, tabbies have unique stripes that calicoes do not have. This is an easy-to-spot distinction between calicoes and tabbies. Tabbies have a distinct 'M' on their forehead, which you can't find in a calico cat. Torties have very little white coloring, which usually looks like tiny specs on the face, chest, or paws. Torties, on the other hand, are typically are bi-colored and marbled. It can be tricky to tell a calico cat apart from these two, so we'll help you out.Ĭalico felines have three colors on their coat: white, black, and orange. Tortoiseshell cats (or torties), and tabby cats, have them, too. Tortoiseshell CatsĬalico felines aren't the only cats with distinct coloring. More than 90% of calico cats are female because of this one-of-a-kind genetic makeup. It is estimated that just 1 in 3,000 calico cats are male. Because the 'inactivated' chromosomes are picked randomly, the mix of hair shades in calico cats is also unique for each calico cat. Thus, if the X chromosome brings the genetics for white hair in one particular place of the body is inactivated, orange hair takes its place (and vice versa). To make up for this double dose, the X chromosomes are randomly 'inactivated' when the cats are just cells in their mother's womb. With female cats having two X chromosomes, this double dose of 'survival' genes might be harmful. X chromosomes also possess countless genetic codes for healthy proteins required for survival. The rare male calicoes have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. Almost all calico cats are female, so they have two X chromosomes. The black and orange patches of hair that define these cats result from the random 'X-chromosome inactivation.' In cats, the genetics that determines fur color is located on the X chromosome. I could get heavy with all the gene talk, but I know you will gloss over them. The genetics of calico felines are exciting and have long been the subject of researches. However, it is also possible to get a reclusive, high-maintenance pet cat with an attitude! It's All In The Genes You can get an easygoing cat that will take pleasure in being around you and be your devoted buddy. Since calico cats are so different from one another, it's exciting to get one. Calicoes have unique and very varied personalities that are affected by different factors. Like with Tabby cats, Calico is not a breed! Calico cats get their name from their coat colors.īecause calico isn't a breed, we can't appoint breed-specific individuality or behavioral attributes to them. They have a rich history and have many interesting characteristics. Now, it's time for Calico cats to take the spotlight! What Makes Calico Cats So Unique?Ĭalico cats are mystical. In a previous blog, I shared some facts about the Tabby cat.

Tortie vs calico