Glossary

Calico

A cat with large patches of white, black and orange, a coat pattern that occurs almost only in females.

Also called: calico cat, tricolour cat, tricolor cat, tortie and white

Calico describes a cat that is mostly white with distinct patches of black and orange, or their diluted versions, blue and cream. In Britain the same cat is called a tortoiseshell and white. Calico is a colouring and not a breed, and it appears in many breeds and in mixed-breed cats.

The orange gene sits on the X chromosome. A female has two X chromosomes and can carry one orange and one non-orange version, with each patch of skin using one or the other. A male normally has one X, so he is either orange or non-orange. The white patches come from a separate spotting gene. Rare male calicos usually have an extra X chromosome, known as XXY, and are often sterile and can have health problems.

If a calico has patches mixed with tabby stripes, she is a caliby or patched tabby. Calico is a pattern, so it says nothing about temperament, although people often talk about calico attitude. Many shelters have calicos and tortoiseshells available. A rare male calico should be seen by a vet as part of routine care.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

In the index now

Related terms

Tortoiseshell A coat of mixed black and orange, or their diluted forms, in patches or brindled swirls, almost always seen in female cats. Bicolour cat A cat whose coat combines white with one other colour, in patches of varying size, from a few spots to mostly white. Tabby A coat pattern of stripes, swirls or spots with a dark M-shaped mark on the forehead, found in many breeds and in mixed-breed cats. Van pattern A coat that is almost entirely white, with colour limited to the head and tail and sometimes a few small spots on the body. Domestic shorthair The everyday short-coated cat of no particular breed, the most common type of pet cat in the world and in shelters.