{"id":436278,"date":"2023-11-15T09:46:02","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T14:46:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=436278"},"modified":"2024-07-10T03:54:39","modified_gmt":"2024-07-10T07:54:39","slug":"tortoiseshell-vs-calico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/cat-breeds\/tortoiseshell-vs-calico\/","title":{"rendered":"Tortoiseshell Cat vs. Calico: How to Spot the Difference (With Pictures)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n <\/span>\n \nMain Differences<\/a>
\nTortoiseshell Cat Overview<\/a>
\nCalico Cat Overview<\/a>
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The gorgeous housecat can harbor so many different colors, patterns, and textures when it comes to their fur. Certain coat types can cause some confusion because they look remarkably similar. There are a total of six coat variations: tabby, solid, tortoise, colorpoint, tricolor, and bicolor.<\/p>\n

Tortoiseshell and calicos are the creative mixes of color we see in felines, but which is which? Is there a difference? Absolutely. So, what exactly separates these two color patterns that allows you to tell them apart every time? Let\u2019s asses the Calico vs Tortie and find out.<\/p>\n

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Calico vs. Tortie: Visual Differences<\/h2>\n
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Image Credit: Left – Nafia Haseen, Shutterstock | Right – Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here is a chart to break down the facts between these two fur-tastic felines.<\/p>\n

Tortioseshell<\/div>
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  • <\/i> Number of Colors<\/b>: Two colors<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> White Patches<\/b>: Never has white patches<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Color<\/b>: Darker color<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Female<\/b>: 99.9% female<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Males<\/b>: Males are always sterile<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Personality<\/b>: Feisty, independent, strong-willed, \u201ctortitude\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
    Calico<\/div>
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    • <\/i> Number of Colors<\/b>: Three colors, always including white<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> White Patches<\/b>: 25% to 75% white<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> Color<\/b>: Lighter color<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> Female<\/b>: 99.9% female<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> Males<\/b>: Males are always sterile<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> Personality<\/b>: Gentle, sassy, sweet, affectionate, independent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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      \"divider-catclaw1\"<\/h2>\n

      Tortoiseshell Cat Overview<\/h2>\n
      \"tortoiseshell
      Image Credit: Derks24, Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      This is an introduction to the lovely, ever-sassy tortoiseshell\u2014better known as \u201ctorties\u201d. As you could guess, their name comes from their coat pattern, which looks quite similar to a tortoise\u2019s shell.<\/p>\n

      The tortie harbors a lot of personality under their unique coat. These felines are known for their fiery, spicy attitudes, sporting a diva complex wherever they go\u2014commonly referred to as \u201ctortitude\u201d. These creatures are independent\u2014the epitome of a cat owning you rather than the reverse.<\/p>\n

      Torties are two shades of color, essentially any color from black to cream, but no white. They are instantly recognizable for their dark swirls and interesting patterns. Many torties have a \u201cchimera-like\u201d face, meaning two colors split nearly perfectly down the middle.<\/p>\n

      Torties are usually only female. Males are incredibly rare\u2014and always sterile. That means you couldn\u2019t use a male tortie in hopes of breeding them. And you may be able to strike a small fortune since male torties are considered a hot commodity\u2014like a four-leaf clover.<\/p>\n

      Are you superstitious? In Celtic folklore, the tortoiseshell pattern is also attributed to luck. Still, today, when some spot a stray tortie, they believe great things will follow. So, next time you spot a tortie on your path, you may have a spell of good fortune. And if you own one, even better.<\/p>\n

      \"3Calico Cat Overview<\/h2>\n
      \"Angry,Calico,Cat,Lying,On,Edge,Of,Bed,Wagging,Tail\"
      Image Credit: KristiBlokhin, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      The beautiful calico is a tri-colored cat that always, always, always sports white in the mix.\u00a0 These cats have been the epicenter of scientific studies, trying to figure out what spontaneous genes combine to create this gorgeous feline.<\/p>\n

      When it comes to the personality you can expect, this varies more than other patterns. Usually, it goes one of two ways. A calico can share the attitude of a tortie\u2014bold, independent, and mischievous. Or they can be very relaxed, gentle, and loving.<\/p>\n

      The calico has an exceptionally recognizable color palette. All calicos are 25\u201375% white. But they have patches of bold color that can be orange, black, tan, grey, chocolate, cream, red, or brown.<\/p>\n

      Rather than being bred for their particular coat pattern, the calico phenomenon is a spontaneous act of nature. This means you could not breed a calico cat with the hope of an all-calico litter. A calico can produce several colors on the kitty spectrum\u2014there are no guarantees.<\/p>\n

      Calico is also not a breed\u2014it\u2019s just a pattern. That means many different cat breeds can have calico coats like Persians, Munchkins, and Maine Coons, but no cat is exclusively called \u201ccalico\u201d by name.<\/p>\n

      \"CatDifference Between Tortoiseshell and Calico<\/h2>\n

      You may think the tortie and the calico are essentially the same. After all, they are both a mixtape of different colors, resulting in a similar coat construction<\/a>. But in reality, the coloring and the personalities vary quite a lot<\/a>, and the separation is concrete.<\/p>\n

      The real key is the color white. That\u2019s right\u2014if you spot white patches, you\u2019re dealing with a calico<\/a>. If you see a mixture of darker colors\u2014this is a tortie.\u00a0Once you have this concept in mind, it will be easy to tell the difference from now on.<\/p>\n