Calico cats are often admired for their unique coat patterns and striking colors. However, many people wonder what color kittens a calico cat will have if bred. In this article, we will explore the genetics behind calico cats and explain the potential colors that their kittens may have.
Understanding Calico Cats
Before delving into the topic of calico kittens, it is important to understand what makes a cat calico in the first place. Calico cats are known for their distinctive tri-color coat pattern, which typically consists of white fur mixed with patches of black and orange or reddish-brown fur. These patches can vary in size and shape, creating an individualized look for each calico cat.
The reason behind this unique coat pattern lies in the genetic makeup of calico cats. Specifically, calico cats have two X chromosomes. This means that they inherit one X chromosome from their mother and one from their father. Since the genes responsible for coat color are located on the X chromosome, calico cats can express multiple colors in their coat due to the presence of both black and orange coat color genes.
However, it is important to note that not all cats with white, black, and orange fur are considered calicos. To be classified as a true calico, the cat must have distinct patches of each color; a cat with more blended colors or a different pattern may be referred to as a tortoiseshell or a tabby.
What Color Kittens Will a Calico Cat Have?
Now that we understand the genetic makeup of calico cats, let’s explore what colors their kittens may have when bred. It is important to note that while the offspring of a calico cat may inherit certain coat colors, the exact pattern and distribution of these colors will be unique to each kitten.
When a calico cat is bred, there is a chance that her kittens will also inherit the X chromosomes responsible for her tri-color coat. However, it is important to note that male cats only have one X chromosome, so they cannot be calico themselves. This means that if a calico cat is bred with a male cat of any other color, all the male kittens will inherit their father’s single X chromosome and will not be calicos.
Female kittens, on the other hand, have the potential to inherit both X chromosomes from their mother and may express the same tri-color pattern as their mother if they receive one black and one orange coat color gene. However, there are also some possible variations in the coat colors that the kittens may inherit, depending on the genetics involved.
For example, if the father of the kittens carries a white spotting gene, there is a chance that the kittens may inherit this gene as well. This could result in kittens with white patches in addition to the black and orange patches inherited from their mother. Additionally, if either parent carries genes for other coat colors or patterns, such as tabby or Siamese markings, these characteristics may also appear in the offspring.
It is also worth noting that the likelihood of a calico cat producing calico kittens can vary based on her own genetic makeup. For example, if a calico cat has predominantly black and white fur with only small patches of orange, she may be less likely to produce calico kittens herself. In contrast, a calico cat with larger patches of both black and orange may have a higher likelihood of producing calico kittens.
Calico Cats May Have Originated From Egypt.
Calico cats have been around for a long time. While there’s no way to be 100% certain where they originated from, one study traced calico cats along shipping trade routes in Europe and Northern Africa. The orange mutant gene that’s found in calicos likely originated from Egypt and was traced to port cities along the Mediterranean Sea in France, Greece, Italy, and Spain. It’s believed that Egyptian merchants took calico cats aboard their ships to help keep their vessels from being overrun with mice and rats. As the ships sailed from port to port, the cats started to travel throughout the world and spread their unique fur and coat pattern genetics, too.
Just Like Torties, Calico Cats Are Most Often Female.
Without getting into too much detail, calico cats are almost always female since a cat’s coat coloring is linked to genetics. Black and orange fur are both linked to the X chromosome, and since female cats have two X chromosomes, they can have both colors at once. White fur is coded by another gene. Male cats typically only have one X chromosome, so they tend to be either black OR orange, but not both. Male calico cats are very rare since they only occur as the result of a genetic anomaly.
Conclusion
In summary, the answer to the question of what color kittens a calico cat will have is not straightforward. While the kittens of a calico cat may inherit the genes responsible for her tri-color coat pattern, the exact distribution and variation of coat colors will depend on the specific genetics involved. It is important to understand the basics of feline genetics when considering breeding any type of cat, including calicos, to ensure the health and well-being of both the parent cats and their offspring.
