Calicos and torties (as tortoiseshells are often called) can also come in a variety of shades.
Similar to how all squares are rectangles (have four sides), but not all rectangles are squares (all sides of the same length). While all calico cats are tortoiseshell, not all tortoiseshell cats are calicos. Tortoiseshells often also have smaller speckles of color rather than the large quilt-like patches on calicos. Tortoiseshell cats are similar to calicos, but can have two (orange and black) or three colors (orange, black, and white) in their coat (see above illustration). All calicos have at least three colors of fur. While the pattern and shade of these classic Neapolitan kitties can vary widely, there is something they all share in common: all calico cats are female!Ĭalico is not a breed of cat, but rather a name for a particular tri-color coat pattern. Coat differences between calico (large splotches of 3 colors) and tortoiseshell (smaller splotches of 2-3 colors). Image is author’s own work.Ĭalico cats have a secret hidden under all those cute black, white, and orange spots.
