Calico cats are loved by almost everyone for their attractive coats and sweet personalities. These cats, which come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, also have an interesting history. According to research, it is stated that cats with these colors first appeared in Egypt.
Many of these sweet friends are female for various biological reasons. You can find the reason for this in more detail in the rest of our article. In some parts of the world, such as Japan, Calicos are believed to bring good luck.
Interesting facts about the tricolor cat Calicos:
It is not clear where they came from: Their origins are thought to date back to Egypt.
The exact origins of Calico cats are somewhat unclear as they are not a breed. Because of this, it becomes quite difficult to determine where they came from and when they were bred. However, research has been done on the origins of the Calico cats and these have allowed us to know a little about the history of the Calico. It is thought that cats with these colors first appeared in Egypt.
They have an interesting genetic makeup: Most Calico cats are female.
More than 99% of Calico cats are female, and it’s all down to genetics. This is one of the most interesting features that distinguishes Calico cats from other cat breeds. The genetic explanation for how their coloration comes about and why they are only female is quite complex and interesting.
They also have different colors: There is another type called ‘Diluted Calico’
There is a variation of the Calico cat known as the Dilute Calico. This breed of Calico is, as the name suggests, lighter in color and less common than normal Calico cats. They are also known as a light Calico due to their lack of dark colours. They also have names like Calimanco and Clouded Tiger.
There is only one color difference: Calico cats and Tortoiseshell cats are different
People often confuse Calico cats with Tortoiseshells. This is because they are tricolored and their patterns are similar to each other. However, there is a difference between Tortoiseshell cats and Calico cats. The genetic makeup of both is almost exactly the same except for one difference. Tortoiseshell cats do not have the white pattern gene. If you are not familiar with cats or genetics, it will be difficult for you to tell the difference between a Calico cat and a Tortoiseshell cat.
Only one in 3,000 Calicos is a male: Male Calico cats are very rare and often neutered
Male Calicos are extremely rare in Calico cats, which have been the subject of scientific and genetic studies for decades due to their unique genetic makeup. According to studies, only one out of every 3,000 Calico cats is male. This is because they have an extra X chromosome, which causes a number of health problems. Also, most male Calico cats are born sterile due to a genetic abnormality.
They’re even on duty in America: It’s an official state cat
Yes, you did not misread; The Calico cat was chosen as the official cat of the state of Maryland in the USA in October 2001. In addition, the colors and patterns on the State’s flag are reminiscent of Calico cats.
He managed to attract thousands of tourists: he became a stationmaster in Japan
The cat named Tama, who lives at Kishi Train Station in Kinokawa, Japan, was selected as the station master in 2007. The duty of this little friend, whose salary is cat food, was to ensure the satisfaction of the visitors. Notable enough, Tama brought 1.1 billion Japanese yen to the local economy in her first year as station chief. A grand funeral was even held for Tama, 16, who passed away from heart failure on June 22, 2015.
A kind of evil eye bead: It is believed to bring luck in different cultures
In some parts of the world, such as Japan, Calico cats are believed to bring good luck. Moreover, for centuries, Japanese sailors took Calcilo cats with them, which they believed to protect them from misfortune, before embarking on long sea voyages. In areas such as the USA and the UK, male Calico cats are believed to bring good luck as they are very rare. In Germany, Calico cats are commonly known as “lucky cats”.
They become doctors when appropriate: It was believed that they were good for warts.
According to ancient Irish traditions, it was believed that the wart was healed when the tail of Calico cats was touched to the area. You may be quite surprised when you learn about this tradition, which has no scientific basis.
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