Do you have a Calico cat with long fur? Whether you love your long-haired calico, are considering adopting one, or just happen to love learning interesting information about cats, you’ve come to the right place! These beautifully colored kitties possess certain characteristics that make them unique from all the rest.

Special Traits of Long-Haired Calico Cats

Below are five incredible ways that long-haired calico critters are different from other types of cats. You might be surprised at the information you discover below!

1. They are Tricolored.

Tricolored Calico Cat

The word calico refers to tricolored nature of the fur found on these cats. To be a true long-haired calico cat, the fur must contain all three colors of white, black, and orange. One color must be white or cream while variations on the orange and black colors can range from red-auburn to dark brown.

Calicos are considered to be mostly white with patches of the other colors. The amount of white on each cat can vary from 25-75%.

2. Many breeds can be calico.

Calico refers to the tricolor nature of the fur, not the breed. Quite a few breeds can produce calico cats with long hair, such as Maine Coon, Persian, Siberian, and Turkish Angora.

Are you wondering about what kind of personality to expect in your calico? Because a long-haired calico can be found in a variety of breeds, their personalities cannot be clearly defined and vary according to their breed.

3. Nearly all of them are female.

Yes, nearly 95%! Genetically, color is transmitted through the X chromosome. Females receive an X from both parents, so calicos can contain both black and orange fur colors alongside white. Males, however, receive an X from the mother and a Y from the father, meaning they can only display orange or black, but not both.