



Calico eye colours include copper, blue, green or bicolour eyes. Appearance of calico catsĬalico cats are some of the most visually striking cats, with striking patches of colours including orange, black, white, grey and cream. In addition to being infertile, these cats experience cognitive and developmental problems, behavioural problems, reduced bone mineral content and obesity.Ĭalico cats do not have health problems that correlate with their colour patterns, but may have problems specific to their respective breeds. Regardless of breed, a male calico cat is prone to a genetic health condition called Klinefelter’s Syndrome. In Japan, for example, they are good luck figures. She observed this in coat colour patterns in mice, similar to the patterns in calico cats.Ĭalico cats are believed to bring good luck in the folklore of many cultures. In 1961, Mary Lyon proposed the concept of X inactivation: one of the two X chromosomes within a female mammal is switched off. In 1959, Japanese cell biologist Susumu Ohno determined that Barr bodies were X chromosomes. These dark masses eventually came to be called Barr bodies. Murray Barr and his graduate student EG Bertram noticed dark, drumstick-shaped masses inside the nuclei of nerve cells in female cats, but not in male cats. Researchers began seriously studying calico cats in the 1940s. No one is sure where the calico breed originated, although there is speculation that it originated in Egypt and was traded throughout the Mediterranean. The calico differs from tortoiseshell cats by its distinct colour patches all over its body, usually with a predominance of white, the tortoiseshell has a more scattered pattern, with black predominating. It will easily bond with a single owner, but will also enjoy the company of an entire family. While a generally independent cat that does not require constant attention, the calico is also sweet, affectionate and loyal. The calico is a medium-sized domestic cat known for its courageous and bold personality. Common health problems in the calico cat.
