i was told that cats who are of three colours: black, white and red are special, because they catch rats and help us to stay safe of diseases carried by rats.
is that true?
2007-11-04 00:23:54 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Three coloured cats are called Tortoiseshell and they are always female. My chocolate Burmese is very good at catching mice but that is because she has found their nest and helps herself to them. When they stop playing because they have died of fright she miaows at them to play on.
I think it is very unlikely that three coloured cats are the only rat catchers. I've known grey and black and white cats that catch vermin but most pet cats are too well fed to be bothered.
2007-11-04 01:10:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No! These are called calico cats. Calico being the color. All cats catch rats and mice.
The thing special about calico cats is that the gene for calico is that male cats born calico almost always end up dieing within a few days. So it is very unusual to find a male calico. At one time there was a very large reward being offered for one because someone wanted to start a calico breed. I think the reward was something like two thousand dollars or so and that was 35 years ago!
2007-11-04 01:00:37 · answer #2 · answered by Jeff Sadler 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not if they are friendly house cats. If they are ferrel cats bred of the outdoors living in factories etc they make no good pets because their mice and rat catching ability transfers to scratching and biting people all the time. Keep your pets inside a place with no rats.
2007-11-04 00:27:37 · answer #3 · answered by Linda Fallsrock 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Color may relate to the breed, and the breed you're referring to may be more active and drawn to hunting, but most cats like to chase little creatures that may be scurrying through your home. So yes, kitties on the streets probably are chasing down these critters; I sure hope there are no rats in your home! :)
2007-11-04 00:30:24 · answer #4 · answered by alyandbud 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I, also, have heard all my life that calico cats are good "mousers". My father would have nothing but calico cats. Guess it worked....we never had a problem with mice or rats.
2007-11-04 00:28:12 · answer #5 · answered by claudiacake 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
any domestic cats catch rats it is just there way of life
2007-11-04 01:14:53 · answer #6 · answered by shippay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all cats are interested in catching mice and rats its their nature and they are hunters after all before they became domesticated rats mice birds etc was their breakfast lunch and dinner !!
2007-11-04 00:27:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont know.......sounds to me like someone is having you on.
Most cats catch mice and rats and other small rodents and birds
2007-11-04 00:27:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any color domestic cat can catch rats.
I've never heard this old wive's tale before...
2007-11-04 01:11:59 · answer #9 · answered by Akatsuki 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
About the only thing you can be sure of about "calico" (U.S.) or "tortoiseshell and white" (U.K.) cats is that they are not male. Maybe the females are better or more persistant hunters.
2007-11-04 02:53:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋