As a result of their genetics, male Ginger Tabby cats outnumber females three to one!Īs the most common type of coat pattern, the Tabby cat may exhibit one of four distinct marking types. In fact, most Ginger Tabby cats are actually male! The Ginger gene is carried on the X chromosome, and in order to express it, females need it on both copies of their X. The “M” on their heads are thought to represent this Mau/Moon relationship.Īlso, unlike the Torties, Tabby cats are not mostly female. And Ancient Egyptians were known to associate cats with the moon. In English, Mau translates to light - like the light of the midnight moon. The first legend originated in Ancient Egypt, where cats were referred to as “Mau.” Perhaps this is because of the “Meow” noise that they make, but of course we can’t be sure. Many legends exist that attempt to explain why this is. Certainly, they all have an unmistakable “M” on their foreheads. Some may even have unique swirl and whorl patterns. With their distinctive stripes and spots, they are certainly hard not to admire. Most cat connoisseurs know and love a Tabby cat. So just keep an eye out for that little detail! Studies from the University of California, Davis, confirm what Tortie owners have known along: with a flashy coat, comes an extra fiery spirit.ĭifficult to distinguish from their Tortoiseshell/Tabby (Torbie) cousins, the Tortie cat does have at least one notable difference - the black part of their coats will be free of stripes. Seriously, this goes way beyond the typically observed “cattitude” that is frequently attributed to most house cats. This XXY combination is known as Klinefelter Syndrome in humans and unfortunately, this particular gene variation causes the male Tortie to be sterile.Īlso unique to Tortoiseshell cats is their sassy personality. So in order for a Tortie to be male, he must have a genetic mutation that causes him to express two X chromosomes, in addition to the Y chromosome that makes him male.

Males only have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome, while females carry two X chromosomes.

While male Torties do exist, they are incredibly rare- only about 1 in 3000 male cats have the Tortoiseshell pattern! This is because in order to express the gorgeous Tortie coat pattern, a cat must have a mutation in two X chromosomes. It turns out that the genes that determine coat color are also responsible for determining sex. Most often, Torties are black and red or orange, and oddly, they are almost exclusively female. Several pure breeds, such as Maine Coons and Persians may exhibit the Tortoiseshell pattern. Instead, the “Tortie” term actually refers to the coat pattern that results from a certain genetic combination. Like the Tabby cat, the Tortie cat is not actually a breed. Tortoiseshell Cats are so-named for their tri-colored coats that resemble the colorful shell of a tortoise. If you want to see more tabby, torbie, and tortoise shell cats, stories of pets, or share your pet's story check out our free Facebook group. Now, you will be able to tell the difference like a real pro! But do not worry! We have put together a comprehensive guide for all cat lovers. In fact, differentiating between the various Tabby cats and other similar looking cats can be quite difficult for the untrained eye. In today’s article, we will focus in on how to tell the difference between Tabby cats, Calico cats, and even the rare Torties and Torbies.įor example, did you know that “Tabby” actually refers to a specific coat pattern rather than a specific breed of cat? And surprisingly, not all Tabby cats even have stripes! Color us shocked! And even a wide range of colors! From the exotic looking spots of a beautiful Bengal cat, to the striking stripes of a Tabby cat, each one is certainly gorgeous and unique. One of the greatest things about cats is that much like their feline loving owners, they come in all imaginable shapes and sizes.

Tortoiseshell cat v calico