Anyone know the nature of Calico female cats? I was told they are a breed, I thought calico was just a color.

Question

I also was told they are less likely to warm up to humans and need patience and time.

I have a Calico kitten 7 months and this seems to be the case. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Tortoiseshell and Calicos describe the coloring of combinations of specific genetic traits.

For a cat to be a tortoiseshell or calico, it must simultaneously express both of the alleles, O and o, which are two versions of the same gene, located at the same location on the X chromosome. Males normally cannot do this: they can have only one allele, as they have only one X chromosome. Virtually all tortoiseshell or calico cats are females. Occasionally a male is born (the rate is approximately 1 in 3,000 [1]). These may have Klinefelter's syndrome, carrying an extra X chromosome, and will almost always be sterile or they may be a chimera resulting from the fusion of two differently colored embryos.

The spotting gene causes white patches to cover the colored fur. Although there is no genetic difference, the amount of white is artificially divided into mitted, bicolour, harlequin, and van, going from almost no white to almost completely white.

In normal female tortoiseshell cats and in Klinefelter males, the position of the patches depends on which X-chromosome is active in each cell and which is inactivated to become a Barr body.

Answer 2

Calico is not a breed, but a color pattern. Most Calicos are female, but there are a few sterile males around. Weird little factiod about calicos...

Also, the reason calicos don't warm up to people as much is because they are female, and female cats don't tend to be as mellow and loving as the males.

Answer 3

Your cat is probably a tortoiseshell. You don't see as many "calicos". That's where the body is mostly white with large patches of black, brown and orange. The tortie is more brindled with the colored hairs mixed in together. I have a tortoiseshell who has a large white bib down her chest and white paws.

It is a color pattern and not a breed.

Tortoiseshells frequently have what is termed "tortitude" that's atitude with a capital T! I also have a dilute tortiseshell or or "torbie" who looks mostly like a tabby but with the third color.

Both my tri-colored girls are very independent and always want to call the shots. I don't find them any less loveable because of that. Your kitten will become ever more dear to you and she will have her own distinct personality.

Answer 4

I had a calico when i was little, and she was a total be-otch. I dont know why she was that way but she was. I didnt get her when she was a kitten so i didnt get to train her. I have had tons of cats and the ones i could raise from little turned out to be very good, loving kitties. All young things need time and patience.

Answer 5

You were right, calico is a color pattern, not a breed.

In cats the "red" gene is typically expressed as calico in females and as orange tabby in males. Despite that there are plenty of female orange tabbies, but I don't know of anyone who claims to have seen a calico male.

It's been established that some personality traits are genetically linked to some coat colors. For example, orange males tend to be aggressive about social status while black cats tend to have a higher tolerance for high population density.

Some believe that orange males tend to be highly social with humans, and many believe that calico girls are prima donas. Many, many people have referred to calicoes as being notorious for their "cattitude."

I know a woman who shows calicoes ( since they're not a breed, she shows them in the Household Pet category, but one of her callies was an International Grand Champion.) She says that the red gene makes them crazy!

Though callies are notorious for their cattitude, they are as loving as any kitty. But on their own terms!

Answer 6

Calico is just a colour also known as a tortoiseshell. Is your cat any breed or a domestic cat. cats have all got funny personalities and like there own space

Answer 7

it is very hard to stereotype a breed.. all animals are different depending on external environment as they grow.. First.. Calico cats are always female.. Calico is a color.. and a prefix to breed.. and you can create a perfect cat regardless of breed.. or the perfect monster...

Answer 8

I don't know but I read a long time ago that almost all calicos are females because the males usually die.

Answer 9

A calico is just the color. It is impossible to tell what their temperament might be.

Answer 10

calico just means 3 or more colors. It has nothing to do with their temperament or personality.