10 Totally Fascinating Facts About Tortoiseshell Cats
Torties are truly the divas of the cat world.
Tortoiseshell cats are beautiful creatures affectionally called “torties.” Best known as “the divas of the cat world,” this particular kind of cat hides surprising facts within its unique multicolor fur. Although they are recognized for being sassy, vocal felines, they also love their owners with fierce loyalty. Their endless amount of energy can at times come across as being headstrong or simply being a bit more sensitive than other cats, making it all the more important to provide sufficient play time. If you’re looking for a cat with a big personality that will keep you on your toes, tortoiseshell cats are it. From the true reason behind their name to “tortitude,” this female-dominated tribe is unlike any other you’ve ever come across.
Origin of Its Name
Tortoiseshell cats are not a specific breed, and are actually named after their distinct multicolor fur. Traditional tortoiseshell cats primary have black, red, and orange fur with brown mixed in. There are also dilute tortoiseshell cats with less intense coloring due to genetics and even chocolate tortoiseshell cats with much darker fur.
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Types Within Breeds
Tortoiseshell cats occur in a variety of breeds, including American Shorthair, British Shorthair, Persian, Cornish Rex, Ragamuffin, and Maine Coons. Both purebreds and mixed breeds can produce a tortoiseshell coat that's either short- or long-haired.
Mosaic vs Chimera
When it comes to fur, the most common coat style is mosaic — a tortoiseshell cat with the traditional color combination mixed randomly together. On the other hand, a chimera describes a tortoiseshell cat that is one color on one side of its body and a different color on the other side. It can happen on the face or throughout the entire body.
Their Coat's Intricacy
In addition to a tortoiseshell cat's fur needing to be particular colors and then classified as mosaic or chimera, their coat can also be categorized as bridled or patched. If the colors in a tortie's coat appear to be woven together, it's bridled. But if colors appear in large sections all over the body, then it's patched.
A Tortie's Life Span
Because tortoiseshell cats are made up of different breeds (and those breeds may differ from cat to cat), their lifespan and weight vary. One of the oldest torties was named Marzipan who lived to be 21-years-old. She arrived as a kitten at the Astor Theatre in Melbourne, Australia, where she became a popular fixture. Aussies were sadden by her passing in 2013 from a "long illness."
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Female-Dominated Tribe
If you ever spot a tortoiseshell cat, it's most definitely a female. It's important to know that the female sex chromosome (X) carries the gene for orange or black coat colors. With two X chromosomes, females can have both orange and black coloring in their fur and males can only be either or, but not both colors needed for the tortoiseshell fur. Almost all tortoiseshell cats are female!
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The Occasional Male
But there have been recorded instances of tortoiseshell cats being male, caused by a genetic mutation. About 1 in 3,000 tortoiseshell cats are male making them incredibly rare. These cats are known to be sterile and may have health issues throughout their lives.
Tortoiseshell + Attitude = Tortitude
When speaking about tortoiseshell cats, their alleged "tortitude" always comes up. Cats are called out for their feistiness, but it seems torties are on a whole different level. They are recognized as being the divas of the cat world for their strong-willed and fiercely independent nature. But there is no real proof that tortoiseshell cats actually have more attitude than the average kitty.
Myths and Folklore
Tortoiseshell cats have made their mark in myths and folklore. In Scotland and Ireland, it’s considered good luck when a male tortoiseshell cat enters a home. In the US, they're referred to as “money cats.” The Khmers of Southeast Asia believe that tortoiseshell cats came from “the blood of a young goddess born of a lotus flower." Bringing one of these cats onto a boat can give protection against storms and ghosts, according to Japanese fishermen.
Torbies and Calico Cats
It's true, there are subcategories within tortoiseshell cats. A torbie has tortoiseshell colors with a tabby striped pattern. While a calico has primarily white fur with tortoiseshell colored patches (black, red, and orange) throughout its body.
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