As a rule, cats have an easy-going and friendly character. There is an opinion that the softest and sweetest are calico cats and cats with black, white and red color.
Another established stereotype is the difficulty of training a calico cat to use the litter box. That is, if an animal has already independently chosen a certain place in the house where it goes to the toilet, most often, no matter how hard the owner tries, it will not change its habit. Therefore, the logical solution would be to place the tray there.
There is a widespread misconception that only cats , that is, females, can be tricolored. Males, in rare cases, can also boast unusual colors.
Fluffy cats love themselves very much, therefore, when treated affectionately, they behave just as affectionately in response, however, in situations unusual for their usual way of life, they can show aggression.
For example, at a veterinarian's appointment, it is the tricolor cats that most often create problems, since they do not perceive the touch of anyone other than their owner. Of course, the biggest feature of any cat in the photo and in life is its unusual color; all other “unusualities” depend on the breed, mainly two of them are distinguished. The first breed, or species, is red-black with white spots and is called calico.
Calico cat
The second type of color is a white cat, on whose body other colors are spread, most often on the head, body and tail, this type is called harlequin.
In the photo the cat is harlequin color
The tricolor cat in the house can be of any breed, although most often it is the outbred cats that turn out to be so unusual. The exception is the British ones, which cannot exist in principle, since the British are characterized only by gray shades.
Persian cats may have tricolor kittens if their dad is black and white and their mom has red spots. There is also a possibility of the appearance of a fold-eared tricolor cat if the kittens' close or distant relatives were fold-eared, but this probability is very difficult to predict.
general description
Tricolor (three-haired) - this is how a cat with white fur with orange and black spots is called in our country, Calico cat - in England (after a type of fabric invented in Calicut), mike-neko - in Japan, lapjeskat ("patchwork cat") - in Holland. Also, a color of three colors is called tricolor or tortoiseshell and white.
“Tri-color” only refers to the color of the coat and has nothing to do with the breed . Here are the cat breeds whose standard allows for a tricolor color: Manx, American Shorthair, British Shorthair, Persian, Exotic, Japanese Bobtail and Turkish Van.
Based on statistical data on the number of cats with the “orange gene”, the possible origin of tricolor cats was determined - the port cities of the Mediterranean Sea in France and Italy, where they came from Egypt.
What a gene!
Animals of this amazing color have their own secret: there are three-colored cats, but there are almost no... three-colored cats (for every 3 thousand cats with this color, there is only one cat, which, alas, is infertile). Only this is not a mystery at all, but a genetic feature associated with the fact that the tricolor color of cats is transmitted precisely through the “female” line.
A little genetics. Of all the mammals studied, only cats and Syrian hamsters have the orange , a sex-linked gene that affects coat color. Color is determined only by the X chromosome and only females have two X chromosomes. Typically, cats have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome, so it is almost impossible for a cat to be both orange and dark. And only in very rare cases, when cats have a set of sex chromosomes XXY, can they have a tortoiseshell or tri-color color. Such cats are sterile due to an anomaly associated with the presence of two X chromosomes.
Can't clone
Modern scientists cannot clone a calico cat. The reason is that it is impossible to preserve the same fur color when cloning a 3-color cat. They put forward a version that this is due to inactivation of the X chromosome, accidentally affecting one of the X chromosomes.
Since all female mammals known to science have two X chromosomes, the phenomenon could have a significant impact on cloning in the future.
Kinds
Calico cats are divided into two varieties: calico and harlequin.
Calicos are distinguished by their black and tan color interspersed with white spots. This color is called tortoiseshell. Most often found in Persian and mongrel cats.
Harlequins, on the contrary, have a snow-white color with black and red spots. Found in Maine Coons, Norwegian cats and Japanese Bobtails.
Which cat breeds are tricolor? Kittens of similar colors can appear in cats of various breeds, with the possible exception of the British. Mostly tricolored representatives of the cat family are found among smooth-haired and short-haired breeds. But fortunately, there are also fluffy individuals. By the way, kittens from a calico cat are in most cases not tricolor. They can be black, white or red. Breeding a separate breed of tri-colored cats is not possible. The appearance of an individual with a similar color is a rare success.
Thanks to an amazing genetic ability, the tricolor gene is transmitted exclusively through the female line. Therefore, mostly cats have a tricolor color. There are almost no cats of this color found.
Tricolor cat breeds
Aegean cat
The Aegean tricolor cat is a very rare breed. Among the three colors, white occupies the largest body area. Intelligent and loving animals with a sociable nature perfectly find a common language with any person. Since representatives of this breed are very mobile and active, it is better to keep them in a private home. But their main feature is their passion for swimming. While other cat breeds do not tolerate water procedures, the Aegean cat will indulge in this process with great pleasure.
Japanese Bobtail
The Japanese Bobtail is a tricolor cat without a tail. By nature, they are the most sociable of the felines, incredibly smart. Sometimes they behave like dogs, bringing various objects that the owner throws while playing with the cat. Their appearance is incredibly memorable, and prosperity and happiness reign in the house where they live.
Maine Coon
This breed combines the best qualities. Maine Coon cats have a gentle character, they are very graceful and are distinguished by great love for their owner. Their size deserves special attention. Often in the photo, the owners stretch them out in their arms to emphasize the unique feature of such an unusual creature. Maine Coons come in many colors, but the calico cat is the most prized.
Why you should have a cat in your home
People keep cats in their homes for a variety of reasons. Some people buy a cat to get rid of their oppressive loneliness. Someone took pity on the pitiful homeless animal and took it into their home. But someone just likes these mysterious creatures and wants to be the happy owner of such an amazing animal.
A cat fills the house with comfort. It has been proven that people who have pets become kinder and friendlier.
If a person has a hard time at heart or suffers from any illness, cats will invariably be close to the owner. The pleasant warm heaviness of a small purring body will cure the blues better than any antidepressant. It seems incredible, but the cat feels exactly what is hurting its owner. She lies down on the sore spot and warms it. And this brings a person relief!
If a person is the happy owner of a tricolor cat, then happiness and prosperity will not leave his home. And let someone think that these are just superstitions. The main thing is to believe in the best and, of course, to care and cherish your tricolor pet with all your might.
Variety of tortoiseshell colors
Tortoiseshell cats come in an amazing variety of different colors. But in order not to confuse some varieties, the tortoiseshell color is divided into two categories. Cats that are of the same tortoiseshell color may look very different.
Often this color can be found in yard and short-haired animals. A tortoiseshell cat has areas of white, red and black fur. So, in representatives of Calico these spots are clearly expressed. The Ortoiseshell cat breed is distinguished by the fact that the multi-colored spots merge and there are very few or no white areas. The genetic basis is the same in all cases.
Scaly or tortie
The color of the cake is very reminiscent of fish scales, but you just need to imagine that these small particles are placed one on top of the other and painted black and red. Kittens of this color look very funny, but the correct color ratio of 50/50 is extremely rare, and representatives with long hair mask this color. Torti's character is soft and calm. They love to play and cuddle in their owner's arms. This color is more common in Persian, Siberian, Maine Coon and other breeds.
Patchwork or calico
Calico or patchwork is called calico tortoiseshell. The main difference is the presence of solid sections of black and red fur. The spots are not symmetrically located, have clear boundaries or are located in small areas. Most often, this color can be found in breeds such as Scottish, British, Devon Rex, Persian. Moreover, it is considered a standard and is allowed in some other types.
Tricolor color standards
Since the tricolor color of a cat is not a sign of a specific breed, it is either recognized as a standard or not. In the first case, standard rules apply to such cats: animals with white in the color code are supplemented with the numbers 01, 02 and 03 - van, harlequin and bicolor, respectively - and the letter color designation.
Van color implies a maximum of white color
Table: letter code of tricolor cat color
| f | tortoiseshell | tortoiseshell |
| g | blue-cream, blue-tortie | blue-cream, blue-tortoiseshell |
| h | chocolate-tortie | chocolate tortoiseshell |
| j | lilac-tortie | lilac tortoiseshell |
| q | sorrel tortie | red-brown tortoiseshell |
| r | beige fawn cake | yellow-brown tortoiseshell |
Then the most interesting part begins: since the standard allows for the harlequin color, the same rules apply as for any other “harlequin”: from half to 5/6 white fur, white “socks”, chest and neck, fully colored tail, colored “hat” with a colored ear and spots on the back. Accordingly, a cat with a 5/6 Van color will be white with the obligatory colored tail and buttocks and a couple of marks on the face.
And, as you might guess, tricolor bicolors will be distinguished by a white collar, chest, belly, part of the face and the inside of the paws (from 1/3 to 1/2 color in the color) and a colored “cloak” covering the head, back and tail.
Photo gallery: tricolor cats of Van, Harlequin and Bicolor colors
Color black tortoiseshell van f 01 - almost white cat with large and sparse colored spots
Chocolate tortoiseshell bicolor is coded h 03
The harlequin color cat is coded f 02
Black tortoiseshell bicolor is designated by code f 03
Color blue tortoiseshell van coded g 01
Calico standard cat of harlequin color is coded h 02
As for eye color, this is a strictly individual question. In addition to the breed nuances themselves, which allow or do not allow this or that color (for example, black “British women” with green eyes are not allowed by the standard and are considered a breeding marriage, and in some breeds only one iris color is allowed), the color of a cat’s eyes depends genetically on the color of the animal.
The nose and paw pads of cats will definitely be the color that is present in the color of the animal.
Character and behavior of cats with tricolor color
A cat with this color will not only attract good luck and happiness to the house, but will also become a loving and affectionate pet for all family members. These amazing creatures have a peaceful and friendly nature and get along well with other pets, including even dogs.
The tricolor kitten is very inquisitive and playful and will not leave any corner of the house unattended. These cats retain their penchant for active games and pranks until old age, and you should not be surprised if an adult pet, at the age of ten, happily chases a ball or goes hunting for a plush mouse.
But, despite their flexible nature, tri-colored cats are extremely stubborn and capricious. If a cat doesn’t like something, she will immediately let the owner know by persistent meowing or growling. It is useless to forbid something to your favorite; she will still find a way to achieve what she wants. Perhaps the mystical abilities attributed to these animals have good reason. After all, sometimes the owners of a calico cat are not able to explain how their pet got into a locked room or stole a chicken leg from the refrigerator.
There are also problems with the issue of cat litter. The fact is that cats with a tricolor color themselves determine the place where to relieve their natural needs. And, if the tray is placed in a different place, all attempts to accustom the animal to it, as a rule, end in failure. The only way out for the owner in this case is to place the box with the filler in exactly the place that the cat has chosen.
The friendliness of tricolor cats does not extend to strangers and the animals are distrustful and even aggressive towards guests. The fluffy pet will not allow a stranger to pet it, and if you try to pick it up, it may bite or scratch the insolent one. It is especially difficult for veterinarians who are forced to examine cats, since these creatures do not tolerate being touched by a stranger.
Character traits
Scientists have proven that genes influence the character of their owner. Tricolor animals are distinguished by their sociable, balanced disposition. “Turtles” are gentle, cheerful, playful, and get used to their owner. Although it happens that owners complain about some carelessness of three-haired pets: multi-colored kittens have difficulty toilet training. You need a lot of patience for such lessons: place the tray where the pet itself points. Here it is necessary to find a compromise: either a tray where the motley kitten will “point”, or wet slippers.
A little mysticism
It is curious that the attitude towards cats of other colors in different countries ranges from friendly to extremely negative. And only the tricolor in any part of the world is a positive character. Residents of Ancient Rus', in order to protect themselves from fire, should have sheltered a motley red-and-black cat. If a calico cat comes to a poor person's house, a big profit is expected soon. Residents of the United States think the same way, calling these cats money cats. In Rus' there was an analogue - the beautiful nickname “rich woman”, but by association not with financial profit, but with a divine gift. To get rich is to receive as a gift from God what you need: health, mutual respect and peace in the family, a good job, a little luck in business.
Why do you dream about a tricolor cat? If you believe our ancestors, then this is a good dream - unexpected good news, good luck. Tricolor cats are adored in Japan for their expressive appearance and cheerful, good-natured character. Maneki-neko, popular all over the world, most often flaunt colorful coats with seemingly randomly located spots. But in reality, porcelain tricolor cats bring happiness, health, wealth, luck and other benefits only if you choose the right figurine. Everything is important - the size of the spots, the turn of the head, the position of the tail, posture, facial expressions. Therefore, it is better to buy such a talisman in its homeland, Japan, where a local merchant will tell you in detail which tricolor cat in the house will be useful for your family.
In the homeland of felinology, in Great Britain, tricolor cats protect the house from otherworldly phenomena, fight evil spirits, and bring peace and comfort to the family. The British seriously believe that these cats are the most affectionate and loyal friends, loving family and “their” person, and not just territory, which is what cats of other colors supposedly do.
There is another belief associated with pestles. It turns out that if a ship's captain wants to avoid a storm, he should take a red-and-black rat trap on board. Convenient: it will save you from a storm and will not allow mice passage. I wonder why sailors dream of a calico cat: if the weather is sunny and windless, it will be like this the whole way, but if a storm is raging, expect nature to relax, the storm will soon subside.
Attitudes in different countries
Tricolor beauties are popular all over the world. In Japan, they even make porcelain figurines of them to bring people good luck.
In Great Britain, it is believed that a calico cat in the house is real luck. Fold-eared breeds are especially valued. Residents of this country even believe that if you run the tip of such a cat's tail over warts, they will disappear without a trace.
Residents of Muslim countries have no doubt that their tricolor pets will be able to protect their home from thieves and fires.
Americans believe that cats with this color bring prosperity and good luck to their owner in the financial sphere.
In Rus', these animals were treated very carefully and even with respect. After all, it was believed that they help build friendly relations with the brownie.
And fishermen and sailors are sure that the presence of a tricolor cat on a ship brings good luck, wards off bad weather and even predicts the weather with its calm or restless behavior. If the cat is worried and behaves quite unusually, then the fisherman will under no circumstances go out to sea, because he knows that the animal senses an approaching storm.
A cat with a tricolor coat and magic
The presence of such an amazing cat in the house promises the owners happiness, protection from the evil eye and good luck in financial matters. But the magical talents of animals do not end there, and many signs and beliefs are associated with tricolor cats .
- A lonely woman can hope that she will soon be proposed for marriage if a tricolor beauty has come to her house;
- Brides deliberately let the pet into the room when they put on their wedding dress and did not take their eyes off the animal. If the cat sneezed, the marriage will be strong and successful;
- For bachelors, a tricolor cat portends a quick marriage if she was under the table at the moment when the young man drained his glass to the bottom;
- Has your pet curled up into a ball and hid her nose under her tail? Cold weather and harsh winters should be expected;
- If the owner dreamed of a pet scratching the threshold of the house with its claws, he should refuse large purchases and spending money, because the animal appeared in his dream to warn about possible losses;
- Before moving into a new house, the first one on the doorstep should be a tri-colored cat. Then there will never be a fire in the home, and evil spirits will bypass it;
- If a pet hisses for no apparent reason, looking at one point, and the fur on its back stands on end, then it is trying to drive away the ghost of a deceased relative. This place should be sprinkled with holy water and a protective prayer should be read near it;
- A black kitten born from a calico cat has great power and is able to heal its owners from illnesses and cleanse the house of negative energy.
It is believed that prosperity and good luck are attracted only to those cats that stray towards the house themselves. But, if you got such a kitten yourself or received it as a gift, do not despair. Higher powers can be outsmarted by leaving them a ransom for the animal. To do this, they place three small coins at the intersection of four roads and, without looking back, walk away.
This is interesting
- The most famous representative of the cat kingdom, with a tricolor color, is considered to be the character of Russian fairy tales, the cat Bayun;
- Not all people believe that these animals bring good luck. John Ashcroft, who served as US Attorney General for four years, was extremely afraid of calico cats, as he believed that they were marked with the mark of the devil;
- Tricolor cats are highly valued by sailors and fishermen. On each of their voyages they take such a companion with them so that she can protect the ship from storms, wrecks and other disasters. This sign has a reasonable explanation; the fact is that cats of this breed are better than others at anticipating the approach of bad weather. They change their behavior dramatically and it immediately becomes clear to people that danger is approaching;
- The cruel and bloodthirsty Cardinal Richelieu loved cats very much and was especially kind to his Persian pets, who had a tricolor color;
- The warlike Vikings, when setting sail, always took a cat with a tricolor color on board the ship, believing that the animal was able to predict the coming storm;
- Since 2001, calico cats have been considered the official animal of the American state of Maryland;
- Cats that have three colors on their coats are usually infertile.
Video
Pictures of a cat YAWNING
Smoky cat lies and yawns on the window
Red cat lies on the bed and yawnsA ginger kitten lies and stretches by the balcony door
