Facts About Calico Kittens
Calico kittens have a coat pattern consisting of white, orange and dark colored patches. The genetics of this unique pattern come from a gene carried only on the X chromosome.
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Genetics of Calicos
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There are two genetic factors at work in calicos. First, in every cell in the calico kitten's body, one copy of the X chromosome is turned off. Second, a gene for white spotting makes the colors clump together in patches, creating the calico pattern.
Female Calicos
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Most calico kittens are female because females have two X chromosomes and males generally have one X and one Y. Two X chromosomes are needed for a kitten to become calico.
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Male Calicos
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Sometimes, a rare mutation happens and male kittens are born with three sex chromosomes, two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome. Their XXY genetics allow them to be calico.
Related to Torties
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Calico kittens are closely related to tortoiseshell kittens. Both types have the same gene that turns off one X chromosome, but calicos have the extra white spotting gene.
Calico Clones
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If you clone a calico kitten, the clone will not look like the original. This happens because the two X chromosomes will be turned on or off in different places, making the calico pattern look different.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Fotolia.com, courtesy of carroll2199
