A calico is a beautiful coat type. It looks like a white cat with black, brown and flame-colored patches. The calico's eyes can come in many colors, including blue, yellow, green and in between.
Different names for this coat color are tricolor cat, mi-ke, lapjeskat.
Diluted calicoes
The diluted calico is also a type of calico coat pattern where black becomes dark gray, orange becomes somewhat pale tawny, and brown becomes beige. Like normal calicos, their eyes can come in an array of colors.
Different names for diluted calicoes are calimanco or clouded tiger .
The Causing of Calicoes
Mammals have 2 chromosomes, X and Y. A normal female cat has two X chromosomes and no Y chromosomes. Normal male cats have one X and one Y. It is the chromosomes that determine the gender of the cat. If the father passes on his X chromosome, it will be a female. If he passes on his Y chromosome, it will be a male. All female placental mammals have a "mosaic". This means they have random patches of X inactivation from one of their two X chromosomes.
Calico cats are almost always female because the X determines the gender of the cat and females have two Xs. Because the Y carries NO color genetics, it is extremely rare for a male to be a calico. The exception is when the male abnormally carries two X chromosomes and one Y. All male calicoes are sterile due to this.
Male cats can be born, but unfortunately, do not live for long due to mutations and health issues. Some male calicoes have been and can live for long, healthy lives. That is why it is always advised to get your calico from a healthy, well known breeder or animal shelter.
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