The skin under a cat’s coat is a lighter color of their fur. mnn.com says that cats’ coat color is a sex-linked trait that is associated with their gender. Males have one X and one Y chromosomes, while females have two X chromosomes. The gene that is responsible for the orange or black fur is contained in the X chromosome. So males and females can both have orange or black fur. Since females have two X chromosomes, they can be tortoiseshell, calico or tabby. Tortoiseshell cats have orange and black patched fur, whereas calico cats (also tortoiseshell) have patches of white fur.
A male cat, to be a calico, needs to have an extra X chromosome. He will have 2X’s and one Y, which is very rare. If a person has an extra X chromosome, it is called Klinefelter Syndrome. Cats with this syndrome are sterile. A study conducted by The College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri found out that 1 out of every 3,000 calico cats is male.
Dr. Smith, working at the Central Texas Cat Hospital has only seen two male calicoes in his 54- year career! This post shows Frank, a calico, Scottish fold.
Image Credit: LoveMeow
According to Dr. Smith, this little guy is one in a million!
Image Credit: LoveMeow
This is a picture of another male calico from Southern Pines Animal Shelter who is named Sting.
Image Credit: LoveMeow
Sting has been adopted by a loving family and seems to be enjoying his life there.
Image Credit: LoveMeow
[h/t LoveMeow]
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