Are you planning to adopt a Blue tortoiseshell cat? Do you know they are rare and most of them are female?
This is interesting right! Well, why not give this article a read then. We have curated amazing facts and information regarding blue tortoiseshell cats. It is not a specific breed and the blue coloring is generally lighter than traditional tortie.
There is no specific health issue enlisted for them because they can be counted under any cat breed. Therefore, the lifespan of these cats cannot be calculated.
Facts About Blue Tortoiseshell Cat
Blue tortoiseshell felines are widely known as blue cream torties or dilute torties. If you have adopted a young blue tortoiseshell kitten they will have patches made of cream color when they get mature.
Another variation of these kinds of felines is blue-patched tabby cats who will have the same color along with the tabby prints.
1. Blue Tortoiseshell Cat Color Is Rare!
Tortoiseshell cats are uncommon this is because they must have two chromosomes with the correct mix when they are born. Means to have a black marking their body must have the following combination of genes B, b, and bl. And for red marking portions, they must be born with o and O genes.
And, to become a blue tortoiseshell cat they should also have diluted gene mutation.
2. They Do Not Have Particular Health Problems
Basically, a blue tortoiseshell feline can have different body weights and life expectancies. This is because it highly depends on the type of breeding.
There is no relation between color mutation and blue tortoiseshell. Therefore, there is no specific health condition or disease which can develop due to tortie prints.
3. White Can Be Found in the Coats of Tortoises
Another mutation is white, which indicates that the coat is completely devoid of coloration.
A few felines may be born with no pigmentations whereas some can have white patches with the passing of time. Basically, when they turn old they can suffer from a skin condition called vitiligo.
This white cannot be stopped, so it can be present in both general tortoiseshell cats and one with blue coats too.
It is believed that the male ones are less likely to live a long life. They can get ill easily and cannot even pass their adulthood. Their birth is unfruitful however, these felines are very rare, therefore, breeders do not sell them.
4. Length of the Coat Can Differ From One to Another
Tortoiseshell cats can have different lengths of hair. You may find a few of them in long hair and the other in short.
This is determined by a combination of mutations in a single gene. It has nothing to do with chromosomes X or Y.
If a cat has 2 inches or more than 2 inches of hair length they are determined as long-haired felines. This is not in the case of young kittens. If they have tuffs nearby ears it is a positive sign they will have long hair when they will get mature.
5. Blue Tortoiseshell Can Be Found in a Variety of Breeds
Mixed breeds, as well as purebreds like the American and British Shorthair, Persian, Cornish Rex, and Ragamuffin, can be born with tortoiseshell coloration.
6. Male Blue Torties Are Generally Infertile
Cats have two chromosomes when they are born. Male cats are born with a combination of one X and one Y chromosome, while female cats are born with X chromosomes.
Unexpectedly if a male cat has two sets of X chromosomes and a single Y chromosome. This denotes that they require a pair of X chromosomes to get tortie coat and the combination of XY makes them male.
But, the XXY chromosomes is not good for the health of the cat it can cause major health issues. This is likely to happen in 1 in 3000 torties which are extremely rare right?
They can not live for a long period of time. As a result, male tortoiseshells are infertile in the great majority of cases.
7. Majority Population of Tortoiseshell Are Female
The presence of X chromosomes tells us whether a feline will have a black color coat or not. If there is one more X chromosome that means they will have a red color coat.
Whether a tortoiseshell is a general tortoiseshell or a blue tortoiseshell, they both feature black and red in their fur. They will, however, be female cats because of the existence of two X chromosomes.
In case one is the Y chromosome then they will become male cats with a red or black coat.
8. Blue Color Tortoiseshell Pattern Is a Result of Genetics Mutation
Every cat colors are a blend of two pigmentations which are eumelanin and pheomelanin in general terms it is black and red.
Well, a few felines can have other genes like dilute genes which make the color of the black and red color very light in shade. Tortoiseshell with blue shade will carry red and black genes. The light color of black means the grey color is considered under the blue category. And, the light shade red is considered a cream color.
When a blue tortoiseshell is born, it can carry a blend of cream and blue color, and it can vary in various colors of blue.
Other than this blue color tortoiseshell can carry different fusions of blue and cream. And, they can be found in distinct shades. You may notice them with white fur and patches. Finally, the color pigments in their skin mutate, giving them their appearance.
9. Blue Tortoiseshell Is Not a Breed
Tortoiseshell is not a specific breed it is a kind of color point and marking in cats. And the color point can vary in the various extent of cat breeds.
10. There Is No Specific Temperament Trait of Blue Tortoiseshell
As it is not a breed they can have any character and trait.
11. Their Marking Matches With Turtle
A blue tortoiseshell feline has exact marking like a standard tortoiseshell. Their marking accurately matches the turtle more than a tortoise. Tortoises have shells that are usually one color. Any two color tones, as well as white, can be used in the pater.
12. No Two Tortoiseshells Will Have the Same Pattern
No matter how many torties are there in your life no two torties will be exactly the same. They have unique patterns.
Well, That’s a Wrap!
Blue tortoiseshell cats are not bred they kind of have a mark on the cat fur. And, this can be found in any breed or mixed breed. It is a mutation result of tortoiseshell coloring.
Generally, the population of blue torte is female. And, in case there is a male tortie born he will have serious health issues and will be infertile due to mutation of chromosomes.
So, this was all about blue torties, I hope you like this article if yes, then do comment down below. And, please share this article with other cat owners too!
References:
- Citations: The Relationship Between Coat Color and Aggressive Behaviors in the Domestic Cat. (n.d.). from, https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2015.1081820
- Anwar, Y. (2015, July 22). Don’t be so fast to judge a cat by its color, study warns. Berkeley News. https://news.berkeley.edu/2012/10/23/cat-color/
- -Dr, A. F. (2020, May 2). Tortie and Calico. Difference Between. http://www.differencebetween.net/science/nature/animals-nature/difference-between-tortie-and-calico
- Wikipedia contributors. (2022b, November 21). Tortoiseshell cat. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortoiseshell_cat