Male cats with XXY Syndrome are sterile and frequently suffer from substantial health problems, resulting in much shorter lives than female torties. This means that while the cat can have various color genes on each chromosome, the male cat will have other difficulties.Ī male tortoiseshell cat can be born with two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome in a one-in-3,000 chance. The problem is that only male cats with a XX-Y gene mutation will appear tortoiseshell, as the color pattern requires two x chromosomes. They are, however, not particularly common. There are a few male tortoiseshell cats around. Tortie fans refer to this personality as “tortitude” because of this.ĭespite the fact that the majority of studies demonstrate no specific personality traits associated with torties, some studies and many owners disagree! #5 – The Rarity of A Male TortieĪ male tortoiseshell cat is rare. Many believe that the tortie has its own distinct personality that makes them quite demanding. #4 – They have a unique temperament – “Tortitude” What about other forms of transport?Īlso they are thought to protect the home from ghosts.Ī wart can be cured by rubbing the tail of a tortoiseshell cat on it, according to English folklore. In Japan, tortoiseshell cats are thought to provide good luck against shipwrecks. Tortoiseshell cats are thought to bring good luck to their owners in Ireland.įolklore in Southeast Asia says that tortoiseshell cats were formed from the blood of a young goddess. Different countries have different takes on this superstition.

Alongside this is that tortoiseshell cats bring good luck. One of the oldest and most persistent superstitions is that crossing paths with a black cat will bring bad luck. #3 – Tortoiseshell cats are said to carry good luck Each cell’s X chromosome is turned off by the embryo, resulting in orange and black color differences in their coats.īecause male cats only have one X and one Y chromosome, they can only be orange or black.Ī male tortoiseshell cat can be born with two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome in a one-in-3,000 chance. The genetic code for orange or black coat colors is carried by the female sex chromosome (X), but the male sex chromosome (Y) does not.įemales have two sets of genetic information that can determine their coat color because they have two X chromosomes. That’s because their coat colors are determined by the same chromosomes that define their sex. Tortoiseshell cats, like calico cats, are mostly female. #2 – Tortoiseshell cats are almost always female Their coats are either “bridled,” in which the colors appear to be braided together, or “patched,” in which the colors appear in big areas all over the body. Tortoiseshell coats come in a variety of colors, including ginger red, black, and cream, orange, and gold. Tortoiseshell markings can be seen in a variety of breeds, including American shorthair, British shorthair, Cornish Rex, Persian, and Maine Coons, among others. There is no such thing as a tortoiseshell cat breed. The patterned coat, not the breed, is what distinguishes a tortoiseshell. #1 – The Tortoiseshell breed of cat doesn’t actually exist Here are a few amusing facts about “tortie” cats in case you’re thinking about adopting one or just want to learn more about them.

The patterns on their fur is eye-catching, and they have a well-deserved reputation for being a little fierce.

Sometimes known as “torties,” they have a special quality. But there’s something special about tortoiseshell cats. Cats are distinctive and attractive in their own way, no matter what the breed or color.

Cat tortoiseshell vs calico