But there is no guarantee that you will find the exact feline you are looking for. If you want to spend less on these cats, you can check out adoption centers. Just like a Calico cat, the precise cost of Tortoiseshells may vary depending on the cat’s breed, age, and sex. On the other hand, getting a Tortie cat from a breeder can cost around $300 to $2000. The exact price depends on the feline’s breed, sex, and pedigree. Comparing the Costs of Calico and Tortoiseshell CatsĪ Calico kitten can cost anywhere between $200 and $2000 from a reputable breeder. Meanwhile, more feline breeds feature the Tortoiseshell pattern, including Arabian Mau, Exotic Shorthair, Turkish Angora, Norwegian Forest Cat, Manx, and Japanese Bobtail. The Calico color pattern is usually exhibited by British and American shorthairs, Maine Coons, Cornish Rex, and Persian cats, which may also exhibit the two-color pattern of Torties. In addition, Tortoiseshell cats are possessive of their human companions. Torties are so tempered that feline enthusiasts named their attitude “tortitude,” a name used to describe the fierceness of these cats. They are named the divas of the cat world due to their attitude. Tortoiseshell cats are also no less than temperamental. Felines with Calico patterns also tend to be more aggressive and strong-willed. In some cases, if you’re not their caretakers, they can be really feisty. TemperamentĬalico cats can be temperamental despite their friendliness. They may also have lighter shades of black and orange coats, making them look gray or Tortoiseshell tabby.Ĭonsidering the fact that white is the only color difference between Calicos and Torties, you can say that a Calico cat is a Tortoiseshell with white fur. Most of the time, the black fur is more dominant than the orange spots. Meanwhile, Tortoiseshell cats only have two fur colors, which, as mentioned, are ginger-orange and black. The presence of white in this cat’s fur is brought by an additional gene that produces unpigmented fur. In fact, 25 to 75 percent of a Calico cat’s coat is white, while the remaining are usually orange and black. ColorsĬalico cats are known for their tricolor fur, which mostly consists of white. Much like any other cat, Calicos, and Torties do well on their own as long as their caretakers provide them with basic care like food and vet care.

These cats are popular for their independence. Read more: How Long Do Calico Cats Live? 3. Lifespanīoth Calico and Tortoiseshell cats share an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years, which may vary depending on the specific either shorter or longer. This occurrence is linked to the two X chromosomes present in these cats. It would be very rare for you to find a male Calico or Tortie cat. The most common similarity between Calicos and Torties is the fact that they are always almost females. According to folklore from the Khmers of Southeast Asia, Torties came from a young goddess’s blood, making them a sign of good luck. It is believed that Tortoiseshell cats date back to ancient times. Instead, their color pattern only involves two colors, usually shades of black and ginger-red. But unlike Calico cats that have white fur, Torties are never white.

Similar to Calico cats, Tortoiseshells are not a specific breed. The merchant ships sailed from one port to another, causing Calico cats to travel and breed with other cats. Legend has it that Calico felines originated from Egypt, where they were brought aboard by Egyptian merchants to prevent mice infestation. The most common coat colors for Calico cats are black, white, and orange, but variations with brown, cream, reddish-orange, and blue-black fur also exist. Tortoiseshell CatĬalico is not a particular feline breed but refers to any domesticated cat with a tricolor pattern. Comparing the Costs of Calico and Tortoiseshell CatsĬompare in Detail: Calico Vs.

Cat type tortoiseshell calico