Tortoise Shell Cat Information

Tortoiseshell cats (sometimes called "torties" for short) get their name because of their mottled coloring. Tortoiseshell refers to a particular coat coloring, and may occur in any breed of cat.

  1. Identification

    • A tortoiseshell cat is a combination of two colors--red and black, says the Southeast Region of the International Cat Association. Usually, black is the predominant color, though rarely, some cats may display more red than black. Tortoiseshells almost always have yellow or copper-colored eyes.

    Female Characteristic

    • Tortoiseshell coloration is a sex-linked characteristic. Tortoiseshell cats are almost exclusively female, because the feline genes for red and black coloration are on the X chromosome. Because females have two X chromosomes and males have just one, only in the case of a genetic anomaly is a male tortoiseshell produced.

    Torbies

    • "Torbies" are tabbies (striped cats) with tortoiseshell coloring. Their stripes may make the red coloring harder to see, though most will have some red on their feet.

    Variations

    • A cat with the same red and black coloration, only with white added to the mix, is called a tortoiseshell-and-white (in Britain) or calico (in the United States).

    Folklore

    • Tortoiseshell cats are regarded as omens of good luck in many cultures, and some people even call them "money cats."