Why do calico cats have three colors

Though their origins go back to ancient Egypt, they have migrated all around the world and ended up in your home as your best friends. Can't decide what color or type of cat to get? Adopt a calico!

It is like having 3 cats in 1. They're magical! Don't believe me? Well, in Japan in the olden days, they were brought on board ships for protection against the ghosts of angry ancestors. They are known to be affectionate, wise, and warm-hearted while some are are sly and myschevious and yet others are brave. Check out the story of Gizmo , the Calico cat that saved its human family of 5 from a fire! Which harry potter house would you sort your calico into?

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Female cats with different versions of the orange gene on each X-chromosome, randomly shut down either the orange or the non-orange version of the gene. If the non-orange gene is silenced and the orange gene is active, then that patch of coat would be orange in colour; if the orange gene is silenced and the non-orange gene is active, the coat would have a black patch.

On the other hand, male cats only have one copy of X-chromosome, carrying either the orange or the non-orange gene, which gives only one colour coat. There you go, this is why all Calico or tortoiseshell cats are female, because males simply cannot produce the third colour in the coat with only one copy of X-chromosome. To add a bit more fun, the seven coat colour genes actually interplay to produce the final coat colour.

The orange and black patches could be diluted by another gene! Just like this cutie below. As you might have guessed, the X-chromosome inactivation process might be more complicated than what is described in this post. Here is a bit more on this topic if you would like to read more. Jing Deng. In past years, Japanese sailors would travel with Calicos onboard their ships for protection.

In the U. This Japanese symbol goes back to the s, and statues of it are still placed at the entryways of Japanese homes and business for good luck. This is actually a myth, since male Calico cats are sterile and not useful to breeders who might be interested in buying them. If you have a wart, a Calico cat can help you to get rid of it according to Irish folklore.

In any case, I think I would stick to regular wart-removal medication! If you have a new Calico cat at home, you need a name.

For instance, you can give them a name that reflects their fall colors or fur patterns, like Autumn, Speckles, or Patches. You could also go with something related to their history, such as Cleopatra or Lucky. Or you could hint at their personality with something along the lines of Sweetie or Sassy.

This list of names for Calico cats can help you get started:. Believe me, I know—mine is purring contentedly and snuggling up next to me on the couch right now. The American Shorthair is one of the most well-known feline breeds, dating far back to the Mayflower.

So, why do calico cats have three colors? Okay, just in case it has been a while since biology class…quick review. All mammals have chromosomes that determine gender called the X-chromosome and the Y-chromosome. Females are given an X-chromosome from both parents XX. Males are given an X-chromosome from the mother and a Y-chromosome from the father XY. In cats, color is found only on the X-chromosome. These chromosomes have genes that can be dominant or recessive. Fur patterning is found on the X-chromosome as well.

Some cats are solid colored with no color differences or patterns. Others are, well…all mixed up! Have you ever seen a cat wearing a little black and white tuxedo? How about completely white except for between his ears and the tip of his tail? Or the solid colored cat with little white booties? Then there are the Tabbies. Tabby cats can have many different patterns in their fur like swirls, stripes, spots, or bands. A combination between the coloration and patterning genes helps give a cat its nearly unique look.