If you want a light shedding tortie, the Cornish Rex breed is a good choice because they have short, thin hair that you barely notice. They come in both long-haired and short-haired varieties that shed according to the tendencies of their breed. Torties can be one of many cat breeds, so they shed just like normal cats. However, the thing with tortoiseshell cats is that they can still be torties and exhibit some Tabby and Calico patterns - thus, the existence of 'Torbies,' 'Torticos,' and 'Calibys.' Calico: Tri-colored coat with large patches of white, orange, and black usually 25 to 75% white.Tabby: Characterized by an 'M' on the forehead, a striped pattern along the face, back, legs, and tail, and stripes, bands, or swirls on the body.Tortoiseshell: Bi-colored patchy coat of mostly ginger red and black, with patches varying from speckled to large blotches of color.However, the definitions can quickly get muddled because some cats can exhibit a blend of patterns.īut first, let's set the record straight with what makes these coat color patterns different: They each have distinct characteristics which set them apart. Tortoiseshell, Tabby, and Calico are different coat patterns found in cats. What's the Difference Between Tortoiseshell, Tabby, & Calico Cats Your best bet is to get a tortie and find out! Because of these mixed results, the verdict is still out on whether 'tortitude' actually exists. A 2015 study at the University of California, Davis established a link between the tortie coat pattern and increased attitude. Some studies say that there is no link between coat pattern and how tame the cat is. However, the presence of 'tortitude' might be a stereotype because it's scientifically unproven. This means they have a greater inclination to hiss, bite, chase, and scratch humans. Well, there's a name for it: 'tortitude.' Tortoiseshell cats are believed to have a stronger, fiercely independent personality, strong-willed attitude, and be generally feisty. What Kind of Personality Do Tortoiseshell Cats Have? Breeds that have the tortoiseshell markings include, but are not limited to: There's a lot! This makes torties even more interesting because they can vary greatly in size and look. Which Cat Breeds Have Tortoiseshell Markings? Many different breeds can have the tortoiseshell coat pattern! Nope! You thought they were a unique feline breed, huh? A lot of people mistake tortoiseshell cats as being their own breed, but it actually refers to the distinct coat pattern. Caliby: A tortie with a mostly white undercoat a combination of calico and tabby.Tortico: A tortie with small white blotches similar to a calico.In the very rare case that a tortoiseshell cat is male, it's because they have two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome, making them sterile and unable to reproduce.Īdditionally, with tortoiseshell cats, there are nicknames that they go by for the different varieties! If you're a fan of torties, you should probably memorize these: Like calico cats, the unique tortoiseshell color results from the X chromosome, as most torties are female. The 'red' is not red as we typically think of it, but shades of orange, yellow, or light cream, and the 'black' can be chocolate, gray, tabby, or even blue-gray. The colors are typically shades of ginger, red, and black, but occasionally there is some white.

But why is their coat like that? Where did they come from? I'm sure you have questions about this enigma of a cat, but don't worry - we have answers!Ī tortoiseshell cat (affectionately known as a 'tortie') is a feline with a mottled or bi-colored coat that looks like the shell of a tortoise. What are they? Tortoiseshell cats! Known for their mesmerizing bi-color coats, tortoiseshell cats get all the 'oohs' and 'ahhs' because very few cats look like them. They're eye-catching, unique, and frankly - used to the attention.

Cat tortoiseshell vs calico