Of course they are not all like that, any more than every redhead is – but I always approach a tortie with a tad more circumspection than any other coat color.” “They are beautiful, but short-tempered and quick to wrath. Fern Crist, who practices at Just Cats Clinic in Reston, VA. “I often tell clients that torties are the redheads of the cat world,” says feline veterinarian Dr. These traits are stronger in tortoiseshell cats than in calicos – it seems as though these traits are somewhat diluted with the addition of more white to the color scheme.' 'They’re usually very talkative and make their presence and needs known with anything from a hiss to a meow to a strong purr. Other words used to describe torties are fiercely independent, feisty and unpredictable,' Ingrid King, of the Conscious Cat, shared. 'They tend to be strong-willed, a bit hot-tempered, and they can be very possessive of their human. In addition to their distinctive coloring, torties also have a reputation for unique personalities, sometimes referred to as “tortitude.” The occasional and very rare male tortoiseshell cat is the result of a genetic mutation (roughly 1 in 3,000). Tortoiseshell and calico coats are the result of the interaction between genetic and developmental factors. The vast majority of tortoiseshell cats are female, because two X chromosomes are required to produce black, gold and orange coloring. In addition to their unique personalities, torties also have unique genetics. Tortoiseshell cats have have very few or no white markings, as opposed to calicos, who are tri-colored cats with larger areas of white fur (pictured below). The size of the patches can range from a speckled pattern to large splotches of color.

They are named for their distinctive coloring – a combination of patches of black, brown, amber, red, cinnamon and chocolate. Let's take a look into the unique personality of these beautiful cats!Ĭontrary to what some people think, tortoiseshell cats are not a breed. Anyone who has ever met a tortoiseshell cat most likely has picked up on their 'tortitude'.

Calico cat personality