2006-08-23 07:41:51 · 16 answers · asked by Hannah(: 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Cat genetics:
The orange or black color gene is located on the X chromosome. So a female cat which normally has an XX chromosome combination, can have both the gene for orange and the gene for black, making her a calico or tortie.
For a male cat to have both the orange and the black gene, he must have an extra chromosome. i.e. XXY rather than the normal XY combination. This extra chromosome is a genetic error that will usually infertility.
While the calico or tortie male is certainly unusual, it will not be able to pass on its coloring to its offspring, and indeed it can not usually have offspring. Anyone that would pay a lot of money for a "rare" cat usually is going to want the option to breed it. Since that is not possible for the male calico, their value lies only in their potential as pets. Usually you can get a fully vaccinated spayed or neutered cat for under $100 from most animal shelters.
2006-08-23 07:56:57 · answer #1 · answered by Robin D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know but I wouldn't mail a cat...the USPS wouldn't accept it anyway! LOL!
A MALE calico cat is priceless...but to me all kitties are priceless. But I'm being a smarta$$, sorry. Male calico cats are usually sterile and carry an extra X chromosome which is not normal. They also usually have Klinefelter's syndrome which can lead to other medical problems. So this cat may be rare, but that doesn't mean it's valuable in terms of money. It's valuable simply because it's a kitty that is unlike most others.
2006-08-23 07:50:29 · answer #2 · answered by Alleycat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A male calico cat is only worth something if you show him and win some money. They are rare but they still need good conformation to show well. And yes they're sterile. Chances are if you think you've got one it's a girl anyway
2006-08-23 07:50:34 · answer #3 · answered by emily 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Hannah...they have no market value like a purebred cat. Although, male calicos exist and are rare they are only considered a domestic short hair breed cat who are sterile.
2006-08-23 07:43:40 · answer #4 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well since there is no such thing as a "mail" Calico cat....I'd say they're worth nothing.
2006-08-23 07:43:33 · answer #5 · answered by Sara S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if it is able to breed it would be worth a fortune as there has never been a fertile male calico.
2006-08-23 07:44:00 · answer #6 · answered by carlcampbelljr 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no such thing as a male calico cat.
2006-08-23 07:47:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, to be honest, unless a cat is purebred (Persian, etc.) a cat really isn't worth anything, regardless of gender. They are a dime a dozen, unfortunately. People should really consider spaying/neutering their pets.
2006-08-23 07:44:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Really, nothing. They are sterile. So unless you find some crazy person who wants a "rare cat" (even if it's an alley cat), they are worthless.
They are extremely rare however - it's a genetics thing.
2006-08-23 07:57:02 · answer #9 · answered by Ragdoll Kitty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing. They may be rare, but they are sterile, so it is not like you are going to reproduce them. Rumor is that they are worth TONS of money, but I have seen a few over the years and have not found that anyone made money from selling one.
2006-08-23 07:44:31 · answer #10 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋