From what I understood, almost only female cats can be calico. But if the X chromosome can carry only one color, how can a cat have three colors? Will a tortie and a pure white cat produce one? I love genetics so the more scientific it gets, the better!
-
Too many ads? Join our community of cat lovers now to reduce ads by 90%! Click here to join for free!
Calico?
- Thread starter vipn
- Start Date
Okay, I will try my best to explain 
Two colors red and black make a tortie ( tortoiseshell )
Red and black colors are only carried on the X chromosome.
Female cats have two X chromosomes, while males only have one X chromosome.
So female can inherit the following possibilities -
Two copies of black X chromosomes = black
Two copies of red X chromosomes = red
Or one black and one red chromosome = tortie
Males only get one X chromosome meaning they can only inherit EITHER red or black. Not both.
White is different to all other colors as it is a masking color. It masks all other colors from just a tiny spot ( like a locket on chest ) to white feet and bib ( tuxedo ) to the whole cat.
An all white cat is not genetically just white. They could actually be a black or red tabby under that white coat. We just cannot see it as the white gene is masking the cats true color.
White is carried on the X chromosome too, BUT it is carried along with either the red or black. Which is how you can end up with a three colored cat.
Two colors red and black make a tortie ( tortoiseshell )
Red and black colors are only carried on the X chromosome.
Female cats have two X chromosomes, while males only have one X chromosome.
So female can inherit the following possibilities -
Two copies of black X chromosomes = black
Two copies of red X chromosomes = red
Or one black and one red chromosome = tortie
Males only get one X chromosome meaning they can only inherit EITHER red or black. Not both.
White is different to all other colors as it is a masking color. It masks all other colors from just a tiny spot ( like a locket on chest ) to white feet and bib ( tuxedo ) to the whole cat.
An all white cat is not genetically just white. They could actually be a black or red tabby under that white coat. We just cannot see it as the white gene is masking the cats true color.
White is carried on the X chromosome too, BUT it is carried along with either the red or black. Which is how you can end up with a three colored cat.
And if you REALLY want the technical details, check out this site and the links on it:
http://www.tica.org/public/colors.php
http://www.tica.org/public/colors.php
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #4
Will white and red always show together? How can you determine if the whites will only appear on the legs, bib or the whole cat? How is a pure white cat produced?Okay, I will try my best to explain
Two colors red and black make a tortie ( tortoiseshell )
Red and black colors are only carried on the X chromosome.
Female cats have two X chromosomes, while males only have one X chromosome.
So female can inherit the following possibilities -
Two copies of black X chromosomes = black
Two copies of red X chromosomes = red
Or one black and one red chromosome = tortie
Males only get one X chromosome meaning they can only inherit EITHER red or black. Not both.
White is different to all other colors as it is a masking color. It masks all other colors from just a tiny spot ( like a locket on chest ) to white feet and bib ( tuxedo ) to the whole cat.
An all white cat is not genetically just white. They could actually be a black or red tabby under that white coat. We just cannot see it as the white gene is masking the cats true color.
White is carried on the X chromosome too, BUT it is carried along with either the red or black. Which is how you can end up with a three colored cat.
I'm sorry if I'm asking a lot but thank you both for answering!
Hello, here is a very, very detailed site. http://messybeast.com/colours-conformation-index.htm
