They can also be a hybrid of two or more known breeds, or “domestic”, meaning of unknown ancestry.īreeds like the Maine Coon are known for being sociable, energetic and expert hunters. Some Black Tortoiseshell Cat Breed Examples Since the black and orange tortoiseshell pattern isn’t a breed, or exclusive to any particular breed, there’s lots of diversity in the types of cat which can have it. Is there a typical black tortoiseshell cat temperament which makes them so desirable? Black Tortoiseshell Cat Temperamentīlack tortie cats are all bewitching on the outside. Even if their parents had mostly black patches. Which creates the tortoiseshell pattern.īecause X chromosome inactivation is completely random, a breeder can’t plan for a litter of kittens which is more black tortoiseshell than balanced or orange. It means that the pigment producing cells under a female cat’s skin have a random distribution of instructions for black or red pigment. This process is called X chromosome inactivation. So, whilst female kitten embryos are still developing in the womb, one X chromosome in every cell is switched off at random. That would cause an unnecessary, and sometimes contradictory, duplication of information. And here’s where the magic happens…įemale cats don’t need both copies of the X chromosome dishing out instructions in every cell of their body. So, they can inherit the gene which codes for eumelanin production on one, and the gene which codes for pheomelanin on the other. That means boy cats, who only have one X chromosome can only make either black or red pigment, depending which gene they inherit.īut girl cats have two X chromosomes. The genes responsible for producing each of these pigments both occupy the same place on the X sex chromosome. Next let’s take a moment to admire how this striking pattern happens, and why it’s always restricted to female cats! Black Tortoiseshell Cat GeneticsĪll of the possible colors and patterns in cats’ coats are created by just two pigments: eumelanin, which is black, and pheomelanin, which is red. So, statistically it’s most likely to end up even, or close to even.īut some tortie cats have perceptibly more of one color than the other.Ĭat owners and breeders may use the phrase “black tortoiseshell cat” to describe a girl who’s black patches greatly outnumber her orange patches. The ratio of black and orange patches in a tortie cat’s coat is completely random. This is closely associated with an increase in the amount of white in their coat too – eventually leading to cats which are calico, rather than tortoiseshell. The patches can be small, so that they resemble speckling or brindle patterns. So black tortie cat personality, life expectancy, and care needs are related to more than just the color of their coat.īut let’s dwell on those special looks just a bit longer before we dive into those topics! The Black And Orange Tortoiseshell Cat PatternĬlassic tortoiseshell cats have a randomly arranged pattern of black and orange patches in their fur. There are several popular and also less-well-known cat breeds which can have this pretty pattern. Besides black torties, you can also get more unusual combinations including chocolate and orange, blue and cream, and lilac and caramel.Ī black tortoiseshell cat isn’t a single breed in it’s own right either. It is the most common and instantly recognizable colorway for the tortoiseshell pattern.īut it’s not the only tortie color combination. What is a Black Tortoiseshell Cat?Ī black tortoiseshell cat, also known as a black tortie cat, or black and orange tortoiseshell cat, has a mixture of black and orange hairs in their coats. The black patches are caused by densely concentrated eumelanin pigment in the strands of hair.īlack tortie cats are almost always female, and their temperament varies widely depending on their breed. But, they are not a specific breed – many cat breeds can have this tortoiseshell coloring. A black tortoiseshell cat has patches of black and orange fur in their coat.
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