In reality, the tortoiseshell cat personality has more to do with their particular breed, their environment, and even their gender than the shades adorning their fur. And indeed, anecdotally, there seems to be a lot of attitude that comes with their beautiful coats. The term ‘tortitude’ was coined to describe the torties’ sassy, strong-willed personality. There isn’t a single tortoiseshell cat breed Black and orange, brown with golden highlights, grey and cream – the two-colour combinations that remind us of tortoiseshell blend together in unique patterns, so that no two tortoiseshell cats ever look the same. These stylish felines have not one, but two co-dominant colour genes that work together to create the amazing patterns of colours we know and love. It turns out, the secret is in their genes. These are the most amazing facts about tortoiseshell cats!Ĭat owners and scientists alike have been curious to find out what exactly is behind the head-turning looks of a tortoiseshell cat. Keep reading to find out more about the genetics behind their impressive shades, what trait seems to describe the tortoiseshell cat personality the best, and how torties have managed to carve themselves a special place in the culture and history of so many parts of the world. But their looks are only the beginning of what makes tortoiseshell cats such unique and delightful companions. Torties, as they’re lovingly called by their fans, rock their two-toned coats like no other kitten. Although the research is far from definitive, male cats have been said to be slightly friendlier than female cats, which could explain the loving nature of orange cats.Their multicoloured looks may be the first thing that springs to mind, but these felines are about so much more than their tortoiseshell fur. Here are some of the most fascinating facts about tortoiseshell cats.Īnyone who’s ever had a tortoiseshell cat in their life knows that these felines are something special. The gene responsible for the orange color is sex-linked, resulting in a much higher likelihood that an orange cat will be male versus female. Why are orange tabby cats so affectionate? Since females have two X’s and males have one X and one Y, this means that a female orange cat must inherit two orange genes - one from each parent - whereas a male only needs one, which he gets from his mother. The reason? The gene that codes for orange fur is on the X chromosome. Also, ginger males can come from red, calico and tortoiseshell mothers, whereas females need to have one fully red father and the mother will have to be red, calico or tortoiseshell. Females have two X chromosomes and so need two copies of this gene to become ginger, whereas males need only one.Ī huge 80% of all ginger cats are male, as there are far less variables involved. *This is because the “ginger gene” which produces the orange color is on the X chromosome. Their gender: Ginger cats are more likely to be male than female. They determined that no particular group of cats was particularly more aggressive than the others. Using surveys, the researchers collected information from cat owners and analyzed the results. Tabbies Are Aggressive Take this study conducted by the University of California as an example. There are certainly no sterility issues with orange females, as it’s only a color, but for males with extra chromosomes, there are sterility issues, as there usually are when one has an odd number of chromosomes… There is no monetary value, per se, associated with a female orange tabby cat. We have many female orange tabby cats in my practice. Orange tabby cats are about 80/20 male to female. Most, but certainly not all, orange tabby cats are male. Are all orange and white tabby cats male? Approximately 75-80% of orange cats are indeed male. This is not true – but we can see why people think this. Interestingly, orange tabby cats are usually male (about 20-25% of orange tabby cats are female).Īre Orange and White Cats All Male? Another misconception is that all cats with white and orange spots, or any mix of orange and white coloring, must be male. The most familiar tabby coats are black, but there are variations in the pigment, resulting in black, orange, and gray tabbies.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |