The mystery of the tricolor cat: description of color, genetic properties, folk signs and beliefs

Description and types of colors

The tricolor cat is a four-legged cat with motley fur. Its coat pattern includes a combination of white, black and red tones. The type of color of three colors in domestic animals is called “tortoiseshell and white” or “tricolor”.

Depending on which shade dominates, there are 2 types of color:

• calico. The color basis is a red-black pattern, which is complemented by white spots;
• harlequin. Characterized by a snow-white background. Colored patches are randomly scattered throughout the body, covering mainly the head, back and tail.

When individuals reproduce, as a result of the interaction of color genes, shades can change. As a result, other combinations of tones appear:

• white-blue-cream;
• white-chocolate-red;
• white-lilac-cream.

Some representatives of the cat world have a tabby pattern on the surface of their colored spots.

Breeding: historical background

It is known that colored cats appeared as a result of a gene mutation. Cats with an unusual color often do not have a breed, they are simply yard cats, although among American shorthairs, Neva masquerade cats, Persian, Japanese and Kuril bobtables, and exotic felines, tinted tricolor ones are occasionally found. The absolute exception is the naturally gray British cat without pigmentation.

The color of the tricolor fur coat, in most cases, is that of a cat girl. This is due to the X chromosomes that determine coat color. Two XX chromosomes are found only in females; cats have X and Y. In exceptional cases, male cats may have a set of XXY sex chromosomes, which gives them beautiful multi-colored colors. If a cat was born with three coats, it means it is deprived of offspring (sterile) due to genetics. The truth is that the calico cat genotype cannot be selectively bred to produce an exact clone of the parent. Otherwise, the biology of a cat is the same, be it a three-haired, multi-colored or monochromatic feline.

Calico cat breeds

Triple color is more common in outbred individuals, long-haired or smooth. However, a three-colored cat, like a two-colored cat, can have a noble origin.

Today, the tricolor color is considered acceptable for many purebred representatives, including:

• American Shorthair;
• British Shorthair;
• Scottish lop-eared;
• Neva Masquerade;
• Persian;
• exotic;
• Kurilian Bobtail;
• Japanese Bobtail;
• Turkish van;
• Maine Coon;
• Manx.

Tricolor Maine Coon cat

Three-color cat of the Neva Masquerade breed

Tricolor cat of the Turkish Van breed

Tricolor Kurilian Bobtail cat

Tricolor Japanese Bobtail cat

Tricolor breeds

The tricolor color is not at all a sign of any cat breeds - it is common in some breeds, and does not appear at all in others; This is how genes are folded. The tricolor color is common in the following breeds:

• Aegean;
• Japanese (and Kuril) bobtail;
• Maine Coon;
• American and European shorthair;
• Siberian;
• exotic;
• Persian

Interestingly, the tricolor color is not found in the British cat breed. But, of course, there are a lot of variants of tricolor color presented among the most ordinary, outbred cats - it’s with them that nature experiments in full!

Tricolor color of cats of various breeds - photo gallery

The Siberian cat is an ideal domestically produced hunter

The Persian cat is a fluffy classic of felinology

The Egean cat is an elite breed originally from... a fishing port

Japanese Bobtail - a cat dog with a short tail

Maine Coon - the “Gulliver” of the cat world

Exotic cat - this charm also comes in tricolor

In the Cornish Rex breed, the tricolor looks especially original

The European Shorthair is a young breed with great prospects

Maine Coon

Maine Coons are the largest of the domestic cats; individual individuals can reach a weight of ten kilograms and exceed forty centimeters at the withers. There are stories about monster cats whose weight approaches thirty kilograms - but this is more wishful thinking than reality.

Maine Coon is the largest cat

This breed of American origin quickly gained great popularity all over the world, and the reason for this is not only its impressive dimensions, but also numerous other advantages of Maine Coons, including:

• high adaptability;
• friendliness;
• intelligence and intelligence;
• excellent learning ability.

According to legend, the breed began with the “fruits of love” of cats and raccoons. But this is also nothing more than a legend. Giant cats are the result of folk selection by American farmers, whose farms suffered from hordes of rodents. A fearless and tireless warrior cat was bred to fight pests and howls - smart, strong, devoted to humans.

Japanese Bobtail

Medium-sized graceful cat with a very harmonious body and a short tail. Bobtail (literally translated from English as “short tail”) loves to dive and swim, prefers fish to any other food and is ready to endlessly carry a ball or stick to its owner on the command “Fetch!” - which is a unique quality for cats.

The Japanese Bobtail is the most popular samurai

He himself is completely unique in many ways - endowed with a large set of qualities for which his owners consider him perfect:

• excellent contact;
• speed of thinking and reactions;
• calm, balanced disposition;
• ability to learn a large number of tricks;
• sincere interest in the owner.

The Japanese Bobtail is a true samurai; For Japan, this breed is considered aboriginal and, to some extent, even a national treasure. Although the roots of the origin of short-tailed cats still lie in China, from where they came to the Land of the Rising Sun more than a thousand years ago. Once upon a time, owning a bobtail was considered the exclusive privilege of the elite, but now they are the most popular Japanese cats; although for Europe and America the breed still remains rare.

Aegean

At first glance, this is the most ordinary cat, the kind that runs around in every yard. But this is only at first glance - in fact, the Aegean cat is one of the most expensive breeds today, although to this day it has not received official recognition in the world. You can buy an Aegean kitten “without deception” only in the country of origin of the breed - in Greece, where professional nurseries are seriously engaged in breeding work and do everything for the international recognition of the Aegean cat.

The Aegean cat is an aristocrat of democratic origin

The Greeks adore her - and there really is a reason for it. This beautiful animal with powerful natural potential differs from many of its pampered counterparts for the better:

• has a strong immune system and is not susceptible to genetic diseases;
• endowed with excellent working qualities - a talented hunter and fisherman;
• very smart;
• not picky in everyday life;
• playful and very attached to the owner.

The ancestors of the breed were fearless wild cats, which for centuries were found in numerous island ports of the Aegean Sea. On fishing boats they found their way to mainland Greece and formed a strong population here, engaging in merciless extermination of rodents.

Siberian

The Siberian cat is one of the most famous and long-loved breeds in Russia. This is a fairly large and strong animal with a superbly developed coat - Siberian cats can easily weigh more than ten kilograms.

The Siberian cat has its own opinion in everything

There is something to be proud of this breed, which is popularly recognized in our country, but, unfortunately, is not well known in the world - there has never been a special “fashion” for the Siberian cat, and they did not pay exorbitant sums for kittens. But this fact does not detract from the numerous advantages of the Siberian cat, including:

• strong immune system;
• a strong character;
• excellent learning ability;
• motivation for the person;
• pronounced hunting instinct.

Five centuries ago these cats were called Bukhara; It is not known for certain where they came from to Siberia. Most likely, numerous merchants carried tame animals with them in order to protect their goods from rodents. According to another version, Siberians descended from wild cats that lived in this area. The harsh conditions in which these cute animals had to survive formed a vivid and in many ways even unique image of the Siberian cat - smart, beautiful and super hunter.

Video: they are still special

Are there tricolor cats?

Important! The vast majority of colorful pets are female. This fact is explained by the relationship between the sex chromosome and coat color. Only cats have a genetic code that determines the combination of three colors.

However, there are exceptions when a male is born with a non-standard set of chromosomes. This phenomenon is anomalous in nature, which is confirmed by the inability of such a male to procreate.

Therefore, a tricolor male kitten, like a two-color cat, is an extremely rare phenomenon.

What does tortoiseshell color mean?

Three-colored (three-haired) coloring - snow-white fur with red (red) and black spots is called tortoiseshell in our country. Calico cat is called in the UK, Maneki-neko is the name of the color in Japan, in the Netherlands it is called patchwork.

It has been proven that only cats with the “orange-red gene” came to us from Egypt, sailing on ships through the Mediterranean Sea. Tortoiseshell color in cats is rare and exotic. This color can be found in outbred murkas, as well as in some standard breeds.

The pattern and combination of color tones of each cat's fur are unique, like fingerprints of human hands.

Ancient times

This is interesting! Since ancient times, people have believed in the supernatural abilities of cats. Depending on the color, different mystical functions were attributed to mustachioed household members.

It was believed that cats:

• whites are the guardians of peace and tranquility in the family;
• redheads are guarantors of household prosperity;
• blacks are reliable defenders from dark forces.

Bi-colored cats were considered a double treasure because they were believed to increase happiness and success.

Three-colored purrs, according to the ancestors, had the greatest mystical power and carried out triple service, ensuring peace, harmony and well-being in the family.

What types of kittens do three-haired cats have?

As a rule, a calico cat gives birth to normal kittens. Babies can be black, white or red. Experienced specialists are not able to predict the likelihood of a tricolor mother having the same offspring. The chances of getting it will be greater if a black-and-white or red male takes part in the mating.

Females of the Persian breed with red markings, when crossed with black and white cats, may give birth to three-haired kittens. It is also likely that a “three-flowered” lop-eared baby will be born if its close or distant relatives were lop-eared.

Nowadays

Signs and beliefs associated with tricolor cats have survived to this day. A reverent attitude towards these pets is typical for residents of different countries:

• The British believe that colorful new arrivals bring harmony and comfort to the house;
• the Japanese believe that three-colored creatures are harbingers of happiness, good luck, and wealth;
• in Muslim families, such animals serve as a talisman against fire;
• In Russia, the belief has taken root that the mysterious tricolors secretly communicate with the brownie. Therefore, when moving to a new home, they are the first to be allowed into the house.

Mr. Cat recommends: the character and characteristics of tricolor cats

It is difficult to identify any distinctive character traits of tricolor cats, since they belong to different breeds.

But pets of this color have always been especially loved by people - rumor has attributed many good qualities to them. Without exception, all signs about such animals are positive; it is believed that with this pet in the house there will always be good luck, joy, prosperity, and well-being.

Maybe this is why calico cats are usually friendly, sociable and devoted to the owner and all household members. They are also friendly towards strangers, unless they express a threat to the owner - then the cat will turn into a fierce defender.

But at the same time, these animals are independent and self-sufficient; they do not like it when excessive attention and affection are imposed on them. Calicos are especially wary when visiting a veterinarian and can even show aggression.

The owner must take care of the visit to the clinic in a timely manner - give the pet a sedative, put on a special muzzle, caress and support the animal.

Folk signs

In Rus', many signs have been formed from folk beliefs about tricolor cats. Here are some of them:

• the cat washes against the grain - you should wait for the weather to worsen;
• when stretching, the animal looks towards the person - he should receive good news;
• the approach of someone else's tricolor to the house is a sign of good changes;
• a tricolor cat protects its owner from illness;
• The blue-eyed pestle protects the family from an envious eye, slander, and failure.

Features of behavior

The character of a cat, like that of a person, is individual. There are black, red and white tricolor cats with a soft and kind temperament. These include:

• Fluffy, Persian tricolor cat. Affectionate, imposing creatures, looking straight into the eyes of their owner, will show love and endless devotion.
• Multi-colored, single-colored fold-eared cat. Refers to calm and balanced creatures. There are rarely problems with them when moving or at exhibitions. They go through the adaptation period quickly. They live with other pets in complete understanding. Genotypes of the purebred fold are problematic. Skeletal anomalies cannot be excluded.
• Common red cat. This is a multi-flowered plant with green eyes, which indicates the grace, exclusivity, mystery and peculiar character of the owner.

Tricolored animals are distinguished by such character traits as playfulness and hunting acumen.
The three-flowered short-haired yard or thoroughbred, the most common among the multi-flowered ones, has the following features:

• playfulness;
• mind;
• intelligence;
• endurance;
• some stubbornness;
• hostility of other people's hands;
• hunting grip;
• aggressiveness towards the offender.

Why do you dream about a tricolor cat?

Belief in the mystical ability of the four-legged pet to foreshadow any events led to people beginning to interpret dreams with its participation. Some of these interpretations have survived to this day:

• if you dream of a motley cat in your own apartment, this means family joy and prosperity;
• during a period of financial difficulties, a dream with a fluffy beauty means financial assistance or a new job;
• for a lonely man to see a tricolor cat in a dream - to a pleasant acquaintance with a woman;
• a dream in which an animal left the house means trouble within the family;
• a cat bite is a warning about a possible conflict;
• if the tricolor fawns, a loved one needs help;
• three-haired kittens dream of minor troubles and unnecessary fuss.

Signs associated with tricolor cats

There are many superstitions associated with cats, and only one of them mentions a black cat. And even then in a negative light.

But with a tricolor cat everything is completely different! Unlike the black cat, which promises trouble to everyone it crosses the path of, the tricolor purr promises good luck to everyone who meets it on its way. First of all, such luck concerns financial success or an unexpected gift. According to people who know, this has been around for hundreds of years, but even today it works without misfires.

Tricolor kitten

For this reason, since time immemorial, people have kept calico cats with them. Even today, many owners want to get a tricolor for themselves, since success and good luck will come to their home with this pet. It is also believed that the owner who brings such a cat into the house will find incredible luck in love and in business.

It is generally accepted that in a tricolor cat, each shade has its own magical meaning. For example:

A tricolor cat plays with a mouse. Video. View.

Red color is considered a symbol of financial well-being and prosperity in the family. In addition, red is a symbol of the Sun, joy and lightness of being;

Black color - gives the house protection from dark forces and any negativity. This color of the cat becomes a talisman for the house and everyone living in it;

White color is considered a symbol of purity and freshness. It brings harmony to the house, eliminates bad thoughts and even drives away physical ailments.

Is it any wonder that every owner, instead of having three cats of different colors, gets one tri-colored cat? Moreover, the combination of these colors in one furry pet greatly enhances its magical properties.

Important! Superstitious people are convinced that in order to appease the brownie, it is necessary to have a tricolor. The true owner of your home will definitely like such a cat.

By the way, cats of three colors are famous healers. When owners talk about a cat that always lies on a person’s sore spot, in the vast majority of cases they mean the tricolor pet. Interestingly, its healing power is concentrated at the tip of its tail, which means that by wagging its tail and touching your body, the animal is not just caressing, but truly healing you!

Important! There is evidence that a cat that touches a wart with its tail can remove it in just a week.

Signs with tricolor cats

Pay attention to some signs that are characteristic of tricolors:

• The tabby purr protects the house from fires;
• If such a cat stretches while looking at you, expect good news;
• If a black, white and red cat comes to the door, expect matchmakers and a quick wedding;
• A cat crossing the path of a wedding procession promises happiness and grace to the newlyweds;
• A tricolor cat with blue eyes protects the family from squabbles, gossip and the evil eye.
• It is believed that a cat of three colors cannot be carried in a horse-drawn carriage. After a ride, the horse may fall and be injured.
• When a white-black-red cat licks itself against the grain, expect bad weather, a hurricane or a storm.

There is also a sign about birth. If a calico cat gives birth to a black or red kitten, this baby will bring success in business. It is advisable to keep the black kitten and give the red one to someone you love very much!

Aegean cat

The Aegean tricolor cat is a very rare breed. Among the three colors, white occupies the largest body area. Intelligent and loving animals with a sociable nature perfectly find a common language with any person. Since representatives of this breed are very mobile and active, it is better to keep them in a private home. But their main feature is their passion for swimming. While other cat breeds do not tolerate water procedures, the Aegean cat will indulge in this process with great pleasure.