In the most desirable tortoiseshell cats, the dominance of black is infiltrated with a fairly even spread of red and cream.
The true tortoiseshell-patterned cat is quite rare and the incredibly high price for a pedigree reflects the rarity of its coloration.
True tortoiseshell-patterned cats are almost all females, as the coloration is linked to the lack of an X chromosome. The few males that carry this beautiful coloration are often sterile, which causes problems for breeders wishing to develop the tortoiseshell cat.
1 response so far ↓
1 nick wasko // Jan 29, 2010 at 9:13 am
I’ve had laxmi for 12 years, a feisty natured, extremely loyal, great friend. Always lets me know if I should trust someone or not. If she growls, they are no good, infact evil people, if she brushes up to their leg, they are okay at a distance, if she hops in their lap, they are nice people, but if she’s all over them like a rash, I should marry them. I got her as a mate for Lilly a Lilac Point Siamese variant, six years older, who lost her other pal to a car. The two are an odd couple, Lilly tends to try to mother Laxmi, Laxmi can get a bit rough at times, but Lilly despite the age will assert her self. Then I go out, sneak up to the window and look in, they are both licking each others’ tails like old mates, until I arrive then some rivalry always occurs. But I always pat them both simultaneously. Lilly is like a nureyev ballerina, with the paw pads patting loudly like a dancer as she walks on the bare wood floor, Laxmi runs around a bit more like a roller coaster. But both totally loyal and always been friendly to other animals I have had over the years, from rabbits, to guinea pigs, to doves even. Never hurt a soul.
Laxmi can rip a bit if touched in the wrong places, or she’s not in the mood for a pat, but she is like a valium, sends me to sleep every night with her up to the chest cuddles.. Both very loving friends.
Nick / Adelaide
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