Calico or Tortoiseshell?

Yes, there is a definite difference in appearance if you live in North America. As the mom to 7 of the most beautiful torties you have ever seen, I have researched this a lot and have a lot of links for you to reference regarding the genetics if you are interested.

In general, in North America both Calico and Tortoiseshell share the Red (orange), black and white colors, however torties wear the colors in a brindled (mixed pattern) and Calicos wear them in a patched pattern.

However… if you live anywhere other than North America, Calicos are known as “Tortoiseshell with White” and that is where all the confusion comes in.

Here are a bunch of links to help better explain… or more confuse… depending on how you look at it.

http://www.messybeast.com/tricolours.htm

http://www.fanciers.com/cat-faqs/tricolors.shtml#wrapup

http://www.answers.com/topic/tortoiseshell-cat-1

http://www.messybeast.com/colours.htm

http://www.absolutelycats.com/22Calico.html

http://cats.about.com/od/felinegenetics/a/colorpatterns_2.htm

Comments to Answer

1

That really helps!Thanks!It does explain tons of stuff I've been hearing!Now I gotta correct everyone who calls my calico tortoiseshell.

By: Ilovecats   78

Report Issue

Use this to alert us to material you believe violates the Cats.com Terms and Conditions. This includes offensive, irrelevant content, as well as solicitations for commercial purpose. Thank you for helping us make Cats.com a useful and friendly place.

Submit

Cancel

Report

According to Wikipedia and at least one other source (because I always double check when it comes to Wikipedia), it would appear as if the only difference is linguistic. Calico is the American term, while tortoiseshell is the British term.

Source Link: Wikiepedia: Tortoiseshell cat