2006-09-22 05:51:11 · 12 answers · asked by tetrartet 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
The calico or tri-color characteristic in cats is sex-linked and only will be expressed in female cats, not in males................its a gender specific type of cat.
2006-09-22 07:55:29 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The tri-colored phenomenon is carried on the X chromosome. Every mammal has two sex-linked chromosomes, one from the mother and one from the father. It is a recessive gene or chromosome so for it to be present required two X chromosomes. XX are females in mammilian species, XY are males. Occasionally a male cat has an extra chromsome, XXY. Such males are usually sterile. This occasionally occurs in humans too and they have something called Klingfelter's(not sure if that name is exactly right) syndrome.
2006-09-22 05:57:29 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
some people explained it pretty well...but I will give you my version. The gene for the color orange and the gene for the color black are both located on the X chromosome. Therefore a female being XX can have both orange and black coloring, but a may being XY can only have EITHER orange or black coloring as he only has ONE X chromosome. For a male to have both colors he would have to be a mutant, having an extra chromosome making him XXY. This only happens once in a great while making male calicos or tortoise shells rare, and unable to reproduce.
2006-09-22 08:04:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a sex-linked gene, only expressing itself when the cat is female. In a few rare cases males may be tri-colored but they're generally sterile.
2006-09-22 05:59:20 · answer #4 · answered by Funchy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I saw a pet show on TV and that question came up. I believe the answer was,(can't remember the exact numbers) something like one in several thousands will be male. I do know a lady in Los Angeles who has a male calico. I thought she was full of it until I saw it.
2006-09-22 05:59:01 · answer #5 · answered by Rudy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The tri-color or calico color is a sex-linked color. Almost all calicos are female. I've heard of two male calicos in my life and neither one could breed. A fertile male calico is worth his weight in gold which is why you hear about the hunt. Hasn't happened yet.
2006-09-22 05:59:11 · answer #6 · answered by loryntoo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm over fifty and I've yet to ever see a male cat with more than 3 colors....call me blind.
2006-09-22 05:59:35 · answer #7 · answered by Bob A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I t-h-i-n-k it's a semi-sex-linked trait -- that, just genetically, it happens very rarely that a tri-colored cat is male.
2006-09-22 05:53:53 · answer #8 · answered by catintrepid 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can always have the cat professionally painted. I read a book about painted cats. Man they are a.w.e.s.o.m.e looking..
2006-09-22 06:02:13 · answer #9 · answered by Faye 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All Calico cats are female and to my knowledge cannot be bred
2006-09-22 05:56:06 · answer #10 · answered by alc60156 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋