The calico cat is not an actual breed of pootie but the result of an interplay of sex linked genetics. They are usually female, although it is possible for a calico to be a male. They must possess three colors to be considered a calico.
Did you know that the state cat of Maryland is a calico?
I have had a lot of conversations at the vet office about the personality of calicoes and there seems to be a popular myth that they tend to be a bit on the dramatic side. Ahem, the calico in this household fits that description. She looks mellow in the picture. Our little black cat and her are still in a struggle for dominance three years after he arrived. He fights better, she is louder. Once when the spouse took her in for a routine vet visit she sat and howled so loudly people kept knocking on the door as he waited in the exam room to ask if she was alright.
Please don’t rec pony party. Hang out and chat and then visit some of the other excellent diaries.
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Woke up from my nap. Still tired and things seem slow so I think I will go back to dream land.
that anywhere had a “state cat”.
I’ve been the roommate of several calicos over the years. The popular myth holds fairly true; they have all been extremely dramatic felines. On the other hand, it’s always hard with pets to tell what their behavior really is, and what human sorts of things you’re reading into their behavior.
Male calicos are really very rare. Calico coloration requires that there be two X chromosomes, so male calicos have to be XXY instead of the “normal” XY, on top of having the right pair of genes for “orangeness” on those two X chromosomes. It does happen, though.
(many thanks to a certain Denalian.)
If you haven’t seen the Swedish Game show:
was called a Maine Coon, He was gigantic, with a tail magnificent, was smart and social. Went to more block parties then us, Charlie did. His fatal characteristic was fearlessness. He died chasing squirrels with no regard for the street. I used to literally have to drag him out of the road where he would nap and refuse to budge. Are Maine coons the state cat of Maine?
Bonk was a male, tuxedo style. All black, white undercarriage. Black face, white whiskers. High white back stockings, only a little on the front paws. Crinkled tail due to an unfortunate kittenhood. Still had his balls. Verrrry popular with the ladies; indoor/outdoor kitty. A riot!
I miss him (sigh).
but that cat in the top picture looks special. Possessed of an unusually energetic/mystical soul.
She’s the smallest and youngest of my 4, but she thinks she’s boss, cutest and the most special. She’s even trained me to pet her while I sleep. I’ve never seen a cat stay so kittenish for her age. She’s 5 now, and acts like a 6 month old.