Why do calico cats have six toes?

Calico cats don't necessarily have six toes. The extra toes you're referring to are a genetic trait called polydactyly, which is not exclusive to calico cats.

Here's why:

* Polydactyly is a separate trait: The calico coloring is determined by the X chromosome, while polydactyly is caused by a different gene.

* Polydactyly can occur in any cat: It's a dominant trait, meaning even one copy of the gene is enough to cause extra toes. This means any cat breed, including calicos, can have polydactyly.

* Calicos are more visible: Calico cats are often more noticeable due to their distinctive tri-colored coat. This might lead to the misconception that they are more likely to have polydactyly.

In short, the connection between calico cats and polydactyly is purely coincidental.