* Calico Cats: Calico cats are female and get their distinctive color pattern from a combination of the X chromosome and a gene called the "orange gene." Females have two X chromosomes, one from each parent. The orange gene is located on the X chromosome. So, a calico cat has one X chromosome with the orange gene and one X chromosome without it.
* Cream Cats: Cream cats are typically male and usually get their color from a recessive gene.
Here's how it works out:
* The female cat (calico) will pass on either an X chromosome with the orange gene (orange) or an X chromosome without the orange gene (non-orange).
* The male cat (cream) will pass on a Y chromosome.
Possible Combinations:
* Orange X + Y = Orange Male Kitten
* Non-Orange X + Y = Non-Orange Male Kitten
Therefore, the kittens could be either orange or non-orange. They will not be calico because they will inherit only one X chromosome from their mother.
Important Notes:
* The color of the non-orange kittens can vary. They could be white, black, tabby, or a combination of these colors.
* The exact shade of orange can also vary.
* There is a small chance a male calico could exist, but this is extremely rare. It happens due to a genetic anomaly.
Let me know if you have any other questions!