How To Tell Difference Between Calico, Tortie, Torbie, Tabby Cats and Kittens

Cats are beautiful in all their diverse splendor. Calicos, tortoiseshells, and torbies can easily be confused by the untrained eye, as their coats come in similar colors and patterns. The nuances make these cats and kittens quite unique.

Tortoiseshell (Tortie) - the Cat with Cattitude aka Tortitude

Ever seen a wonderful orange and black marbled colored cat? That is probably a tortoiseshell, also known as a tortie.

Their name comes from the similarity of their coloring to a tortoise shell. Torties are bicolored - they are normally black and orange but also come in grey and cream (known as dilute torties).

A tortie who has two different colors on each half of their face, is often referred to as a "" cat. A Seal Point Cat with tortie markings is called a Tortie Point. Their flecked or mottled pattern is often visible on their face, paws and tail.

Torties are almost always female (about

) because the recessive gene for this trait is on the X chromosome, and cats need two genes to express this trait. Male torties are extremely rare but can happen if they have an extra X chromosome (XXY). Unfortunately, that means they are usually sterile.

These magnificent cats are anecdotally known to have a distinct, feisty attitude aka toritude.

Calicos the Tricolor Wonders

Calicos have multicolored coats that are sometimes mistaken for torties.

There is an easy way to differentiate them. Calicos have 25-75% spots of white in their coat with large patches of orange and black or cream and grey. Their tricolored pattern is known as , which means there are patches of (unpigmented) white skin or fur. On the other hand, torties do not have any white in their coat.

These adorable cats are called lapjeskat in Dutch, which literally translates to "patches cat.

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