Cats with fancy spotted coloring are called tortoiseshell cats. The name “tortoiseshell” is a perfect description of the animal’s coat, as the tortoiseshell has a similar coloration. The coloring comes from two colors: red and black. However, these colors come in different shades: chocolate, gray, blue, purple, yellow, cream, and orange. Turtle color is not inherent in one breed, many varieties of cats have this color. The peculiarity of animals lies in individuality, the color of the coat has its own unique pattern. Spots cover the entire body of cats, and a unique mark is a spot-ohonek, painted on the muzzle, orange, cream or yellow color. If you want to get yourself a mottled cat, consider the tortoiseshell cat.
Division of tortoiseshell cats by color type
If you consider the division of cats by different colors, you can get confused, so many there are different kinds of combinations. But the basic colors: red and black and their shades will not let you make a mistake. So let’s look at the different names of turtles according to the color of the coat. In the classical understanding, cats are divided into two groups according to the combination of basic colors:
- Spotted – different shades of fur have well-defined contours and resemble a patchwork quilt.
- Scaly – shades are smoothly combined, giving the impression of fish scales.
Classic groups can be divided into varieties by the predominance of shades of the main colors, as well as in the presence of a small proportion of white.
Smoky shells are pussycats of scaly color, but due to the inclusion of smoky color (silver color that colors the coat spines) the coat pattern is as smooth and blurred as possible.
Torbie is a combination of classic tortoiseshell colors with tabby. It should be clarified that the definition of “tabby” means a pattern of stripes, dots or spots. Torbie-colored cats can have a beautiful shimmer of coat that resembles marble.
Tortie is an unusual tortoiseshell color that is highlighted by the addition of colorpoint (Siamese coloring).
Calico or Calibi is one of the most beautiful combinations when white is added to the main colors. All colors have clear contours and do not mix with each other. Sometimes such cats are called tricolored.
Mixed color – torbie with white. The color is the most colorful, expressive and spotted.
The pattern on the coat in most cases is asymmetrical. The face of the kitty looks funny: one half of the chocolate shade, and the other half is creamy. Tortoiseshell eyes range from hazel to copper, dark golden, and are rarely green or blue.
Turtle cat breeds
Tortoiseshell coloration is found in almost all breeds. Let’s take a look at the most famous breeds together.
Maine Coon – huge cats that have fluffy fur with a scaly coloring. Most often found with a combination of black and red colors, with the addition of white. The eyes are green or yellow-orange, painted on a symmetrically colored face.
The Nevskaya masquerade cat is found with a tortie color. The point is saturated, dark, placed on the paws, tail, muzzle. Tortoiseshell spots have a dark red or rich cream color, eyes are blue.
Sphynx. Yes, you read that right! Although the Sphynx is hairless, its body has a tortoiseshell coloration. Two types of coloring are most common: black-red (black tortoise) and bluish cream (blue tortoise). It has yellow or green eyes.
TheTurkish Van is a kitty with a white body that has patches of black-blue and red-cream colors on it. Can boast eyes of all colors.
Kuril Bobtail – A kitty with a short tail, has a calico or torbie coloring. Purple, chocolate coloring is not allowed. What is interesting, the eyes can be of different colors. One is green, the other is yellow.
Japanese bobtail – has a color of calico or bluish-cream classic. Like the Kuril bobtail, the eyes can be different colors, but blue is also added.
British – a popular breed with different types of shades of tortoise color: blue-cream, chestnut with cream, lavender with cream and black. The eyes are different shades of yellow.
Persian cats have an even distribution of shades of colors: from gray, chocolate, purple to red and cream. Where the coat is longer, the shades have a more saturated color. The eyes are dark orange or yellow.
The Rex is an interesting curly breed. If you want an unusual cat, choose a Rex. Rex can have any variant of tortoise color, in addition, the muzzle can be divided in half by different shades, even the nose and that will be half black and cream or black and red.
Siberian is a large cat of tortoiseshell color without purple and chocolate variations. The eyes pierce with a stare, have a rich deep green shade.
American Shorthair. Cats of tortoiseshell color are rare, but can please owners with this color and bright orange eyes.
Are tortoiseshell cats affectionate or edgy?
There is an assumption that tortoiseshell cats have a more aggressive and sharp character than other cats. Researchers conducted an online survey that asked people to list the frequency of their pet’s aggressive behavior when going to the vet or in owner-cat interactions at home. In the end, 1,274 owners shared their observations of their Four-Footed Friend. It was found that aggression was more common in tortoiseshell-colored cats than in other animals. But this study does not claim to be scientific, so it is difficult to say how much this study characterizes tortoiseshell cats.
One thing we can say is that tortoises are characterized by perseverance and resilience. They are playful and love their owner. Cats enjoy exploring the world around them. Tortoiseshell cats are often found among the yard cats. For this reason, you can give a loving family for a lonely little creature.
