Ah, the calico cat. With their distinctive splotches of orange, black, and white fur, calico cats are one of the most instantly recognizable cat coat patterns. While the calico’s vibrant, patchy appearance may seem commonplace today, these kitties have a long and fascinating history intertwined with myth, folklore, and superstition.
Calicos haven’t always been viewed as the cute, playful pets we know and love today. They were seen as decidedly odd, mysterious creatures by many ancient societies. In Japan, calico cats were thought to have the ability to ward off evil spirits and were highly valued. This belief likely originated from the calico’s unusual piebald or mismatched look, which many felt had supernatural origins. Known as “mi-ke” (meaning “triple fur”), calico cats are considered by the Japanese to be symbols of good luck even today.
Other cultures had a decidedly darker view of the calico cat. In medieval Europe, a calico roaming into town was cause for suspicion and alarm. Their patchy, multi-colored fur seemingly went against nature’s usual symmetry and was seen as suspicious—some associated calicos with mischief and witchcraft. There are even historical accounts of villagers chasing calicos out of town due to fears they may be witches or “familiars” in disguise.
Of course, we now know the reason behind the calico’s colorful coat has nothing to do with magic or sorcery. Instead, it stems from a genetic quirk. Nearly all calicos are female, owing to a particular chromosome they carry.
In mammals, fur color is linked to two chromosomes, called the X and Y chromosomes. Females are XX, carrying two X chromosomes. Males are XY, with one X and one Y chromosome. The gene for black fur is located on chromosome X. For orange fur. However, the gene is on chromosome Y. What does this mean for our tri-colored calico?
Female calicos have one X chromosome carrying the gene for black fur, while the other X chromosome carries the orange. As the embryo develops, one chromosome is randomly inactivated in each cell. This essential process of picking one chromosome over another leads to the trademark splotchy calico pattern, with some cells producing black fur while others make orange. Ta-da! Pretty neat trick, Mother Nature.
So, if nearly all calicos are female, are there any males? Rarely. A male kitten must be born XXY instead of XY to inherit the calico genes, making them a Klinefelter kitten. Klinefelter calico boys are scarce, with only 1 in 3,000 calicos being male. If you ever meet one of these unique boys, give them some extra ear scratches from me! They win the kitty lottery.
Beyond their distinctive looks, calicos have prominent personalities matching their vibrant energy. They tend to be strong-willed, aggressive, and not shy about voicing their opinions. Indeed, many calico owners joke their kitties rule the household with an iron paw. Smart, sassy, and a bit headstrong, the calico cat is anything but a shrinking violet.
Calicos also rate high in intelligence among cat breeds. Their playful nature, curiosity, and ability to quickly learn routines, words, or tricks mark them as exceptionally bright kitties. So a calico may be your perfect match if you like a clever, cuddly cat that will verbally communicate with you at length (or is that lengthily meowing at you?).
While calicos love and demand the attention of their preferred humans, they can sometimes be standoffish with strangers. Early socialization when young is essential to prevent any extreme shyness or timidity. Indeed, some calicos take longer to warm up initially, but once they trust you, they will be a loyal, loving companion for life.
So whether you’re lucky enough to be owned by one of these special chromosomal kitties or enjoy watching their crazy capers on YouTube, embrace the wacky charm of the calico cat! With their audacious attitudes and zany personalities, calicos are anything but plain vanilla. Calico cats are a true rainbow-hued delight!
In Loving Memory of Tiago,