I always thought all calico cats were female, but I just read that male calicos exist too. Apparently, it’s super rare, like 1 in 3,000?! Also, they’re usually sterile because of some extra chromosome thing. Anyone else heard about this?
Yeah, most calicos are female because the color genes are on the X chromosome. Males usually have XY, so they don’t get both black and orange fur.
Addison said:
Yeah, most calicos are female because the color genes are on the X chromosome. Males usually have XY, so they don’t get both black and orange fur.
Wait, so how do male calicos even happen then?
@Chen
It’s a genetic mutation called Klinefelter Syndrome (XXY). Basically, they end up with an extra X chromosome, which lets them have both colors.
@Chen
Ohh, that makes sense now. So it’s like a rare genetic fluke?
I actually saw a male calico once! My neighbor had one, and he was super pretty. They said he was sterile tho.
Mal said:
I actually saw a male calico once! My neighbor had one, and he was super pretty. They said he was sterile tho.
Yeah, almost all male calicos can’t have kittens because of the extra chromosome messing with fertility.
Fun fact: calico cats are seen as lucky in some places. Japanese sailors used to bring them on ships for good luck!
Marley said:
Fun fact: calico cats are seen as lucky in some places. Japanese sailors used to bring them on ships for good luck!
No way, that’s actually so cool! Wonder if that’s why people think they bring good fortune?
So if I find a male calico, should I buy a lottery ticket? 
Ridge said:
So if I find a male calico, should I buy a lottery ticket?
LOL maybe! They’re rare enough to be considered lucky in some cultures, so why not?
I just realized I don’t actually know what ‘calico’ means… is it just the color pattern?
Fin said:
I just realized I don’t actually know what ‘calico’ means… is it just the color pattern?
Yeah, it’s a mix of white, orange, and black patches. It’s not a specific breed, just a color pattern.