{"id":627643,"date":"2024-07-12T04:49:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-12T08:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=627643"},"modified":"2024-07-16T11:38:09","modified_gmt":"2024-07-16T15:38:09","slug":"tortoiseshell-cat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/cat-behavior\/tortoiseshell-cat\/","title":{"rendered":"Tortoiseshell Cat: Info, Pictures, Care & Facts"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n <\/span>\n \nHistory<\/a>
\nPopularity<\/a>
\nFormal Recognition<\/a>
\nFacts<\/a>
\nDoes a Tortoiseshell Cat Make a Good Pet?<\/a>
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It\u2019s hard not to notice a tortoiseshell cat. Their appearance is striking, with their uniquely colored fur. No two felines are the same, and genetics control the variations. The vast majority are also female, adding to their mystique. The pattern is more prevalent in some breeds, but the tortoiseshell is not a breed; it merely describes the color pattern.<\/p>\n

The term describes animals with a mottled patchwork of orange and non-orange hues. They can be black or some variation, from ginger to chocolate to cream. Calicos are similarly colored, with the addition of white, making them a tri-colored variant of the tortoiseshell cat. However, the Tortoiseshell Cat only has black and orange markings.<\/p>\n

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The Earliest Records of the Tortoiseshell Cat in History<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s unclear when the first tortoiseshell cat appeared, but ancient records suggest they were mentioned by the Celts and Khmers of Southeast Asia. When the tortoiseshell variant occurs in female cats, it\u2019s simply a manifestation of a dominant, sex-linked trait.<\/p>\n

The gene controlling its physical expression is located on the X chromosome. Each parent contributes a copy or an allele of the two they possess to each of their offspring. A kitten must only inherit one copy of the trait to be visually present.<\/p>\n

A recessive trait only appears if both alleles are the same copy. For example, if the alleles an offspring receives from their parents are OO or Oo, the dominant trait is present. The capital O is shorthand for the dominant tortoiseshell variant, and the small letter is the recessive. The only way for the tortoiseshell not to be visible is if both alleles are oo, making the cat brown or black and not orange.<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: Derks24, Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Genetic Explanation<\/h3>\n

However, that fact raises another question. If this color characteristic is dominant, why don\u2019t all female tortoiseshell cats have the orange color? If she is OO or Oo for the trait, you\u2019d expect the cat to be orange without any black coloration. The answer lies in evolution\u2019s role in survival.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, researchers have identified over 1,000 genes on the X chromosomes. The Y chromosome of males doesn\u2019t have nearly as many. Nevertheless, that doesn\u2019t mean the X-linked traits are viable or necessary for survival. Some are harmful and potentially fatal. How did evolution deal with this conflict?<\/p>\n

Natural selection prevents the expression of some X-linked characteristics through a process known as X-chromosome inactivation (XCI). That means some O alleles are suppressed, leading to the mottled patchwork we call tortoiseshell, with orange and black present. XCI doesn\u2019t happen in male cats. If the animal inherits a single O dominant allele, the feline is orange or black, not both.<\/p>\n

The incidence of the tortoiseshell male cat has another genetic twist. Early scientists deduced it must be sex-linked simply because of the inheritance pattern and the animal\u2019s sex.1<\/sup><\/a> The only way a male animal could have this pattern is if they had two X chromosomes, allowing the orange and black to be visible, making them XXY. It can occur if the cat has inherited the Klinefelter syndrome.2<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

This condition also exists in humans. It\u2019s not surprising since we share 90% of our DNA with cats.3<\/sup><\/a> Sadly, Klinefelter’s syndrome has many risks, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and autism. This random genetic mutation also causes sterility in males. That explains its rarity among male cats and its prevalence in females.<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: JG Fotografia, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why the Tortoiseshell Color Appeared in the First Place<\/h3>\n

The domestic cat is a descendant of the African Wild Cat (Felis silvestris lybica<\/em>). This feline is notably sand-colored to match their arid habitat and provide camouflage. Why do our pets come in so many color variations, like tortoiseshells? An animal with this pelage would stand out and probably won\u2019t survive. The answer lies with domestication.<\/p>\n

Charles Darwin theorized that selective breeding profoundly impacted animals\u2019 genetics and phenotype or physical appearance. Scientists later observed relative depigmentation and other traits associated with breeding animals to be tame. The term domestication syndrome describes these changes people induced in the animals they domesticated.<\/p>\n

The pleasing coloration, like tortoiseshell and other characteristics we prefer, results from human efforts for selective breeding. This process occurs much faster than natural selection. What would take Nature thousands of years occurs in a handful of generations with human intervention. Of course, evolution also had a say.<\/p>\n

How the Tortoiseshell Cat Gained Popularity<\/h2>\n

While the earliest records are unclear, the tortoiseshell likely has been in the domestic cat\u2019s gene pool since ancient times. The folklore of many cultures contains accounts of this beautiful but mysterious feline, with explanations of the animal\u2019s appearance and supposed meaning. Stories exist<\/a> from the United Kingdom to Japan and the United States about the tortoiseshell\u2019s unique coat.<\/p>\n

The beauty of the tortoiseshell pattern is undoubtedly a factor in its popularity. The animal’s appearance is unique, often with eye-catching markings. Remember that formal cat breeds are a relatively recent phenomenon. Enthusiasts may have tried selectively breeding felines to increase their prevalence. The occurrence in males is random<\/a>, with no guarantee of tortoiseshell offspring.<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: Nafia Haseen, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Formal Recognition of the Tortoiseshell Cat<\/h2>\n

Formal recognition of the tortoiseshell cat rests with the breeds<\/a> in which it is a permitted color. The Persian is an ancient breed, with tortoiseshell among its many accepted colors. Other breeds with similar standards include the following:<\/p>\n

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