Callie Calico Cat FAQ & Fun

Some Calico Cat facts:

Calico is a color scheme, not a breed. Think of it as a white cat with patches. Black and orange are the patch colors we most commonly think of, but the patches may instead be cream or brown, or colors cat breeders identify as blue, lilac, cinnamon and fawn.

The colors should appear in big patches. If not, if the patches are small or there are stripes, it's not an official calico cat.

Calico cats can have long hair, or short. Their tails may be there, or not. And they can be any of 16 different breeds.

Unpredictable genetic factors make it nearly impossible to breed a calico cat. They are happy accidents.

Calico unlikely to be named Cal

Nearly all calico cats are female. In cats, coat color and gender are linked. The simple explanation is that orange and back coloring is triggered by an O gene on the X chromosome. Female cats have two X chromosomes and males have only one, so calico coloring is rare in male cats, 1 in 3,000, according to the Veterinary Medicine College in Missouri. Read Sarah Hartwell's lengthy discussions of cat coloring chromosomes. And another.

What's in a name - Callie or Calie?

Callie is a popular name for calico cats, and Callie is the preferred spelling. (There are 47,700 Google hits for sites with Callie+calico, and only 1,800 with Calie+calico.)

Among all cat breeds, Callie is the 40th most popular name.

Calico the Lucky Beckoning Cat Maneki-Neko

While some people associate calico cats with the devil and bad temperament, many others credit them with bringing good luck. A Japanese legend dating to around 1700 tells the story of a calico cat, Maneki-neko, who beckoned a

wealthy samurai Lord to an impoverished temple where he made a generous donation.

Today Maneki-neko cat figurines, one hand in the air , beckoning, bring luck to homes and businesses around the world.

It's said that in the Appalachian region of East Tennessee, some folks believe that petting a calico cat brings good luck.

Refrigerator magnet picturing a
Maneki-neko cat.

Club for Maneki-Neko enthusiasts.

Maneki Neko on Amazon

Happy Cat, Maneki Neko #KT6/KC

3 3/4 inch tall Japanese Maneki Neko with traditional one hand raised. Made in Japan, boxed.

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

Lucky Cat: He Brings You Good Luck

by Laurel Wellman

Hardcover Book: Lucky Cat: He Brings You Good Luck
by Laurel Wellman

Amazon Price: $11.21 (as of 07/26/2008)

Big Maneki Neko Lucky CAT Sculpture

This LIFE SIZE original Lucky Cat will look wonderful in your home or garden setting. An American version of the classic Asian Cat Collectible Maneki Neko(Beckoning Cat). Cast from an original carving by world renowned artist,Peter Tyber The raised paw gesture invites good fortune! 11 1/4" H x 6 1/2" W x 9" diameter *For longer life protect from extreme weather conditions

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

100 Cats Who Changed Civilization: History's Most Influential Felines

by Sam Stall

100 Cats Who Changed Civilization: History's Most Influential Felines by Sam Stall

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/26/2008)

Lucky Maneki Neko Cat Welcome Plaque

Lucky Maneki Neko Cat Welcome Plaque made of cast stone, 9" tall x 8 1/2" wide x 1 1/2" deep

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

Calico Cat Refrigerator Magnets

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Calico Cats in the Blogs

2008 Calico Cats Picture Gallery - featuring photo of calico cat Hanna: Calico cats represent the brilliant rainbow of colors in a sunny July day. Of all cat color patterns...
Calico Cat Teapot Tea Japanese Zen Art Handmade Necklace: Calico Tea Meditation The water has been poured over the tea, but the empty cups must wait until the...
I would show you a picture but...: (I am feeling a bit snarky - I learned from the best, my boy cat, RB!) Please let me not feel _____...
Cat and Dog People: Cats make you come to where they are and dogs come to you wagging their tail, getting up into your l...

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Calico cat art on Ebay

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State cat of Maryland

The calico is the official cat of Maryland. Maryland also has 17 other officially mandated state symbols, including a state dog, state shell, state reptile, state drink, state crustacean and state boat.

Calico Cat Photos on Flicker

Flicker award winner

Pretty long hair calico named Cookiecat

Tiny baby calico kitten

Sydney Lanier Anne by Kitty Cats (,,,)>^.ָ.^<(,,,)

Sydney the Calico Mama Cat

Athena, Goddess of the Window Ledge - 04-06-06 by worleyx

Nice photograph of long haired Calico Cat

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Photos of Calico Cats

Calico cat pictures on Wikipedia: --
Calico cat pictures on Google: --
Calico cat pictures on About.com: --
Great photos from Janipurr Japanese Bobtails: Nice photos, nice site.

Calico Cat Books and Treasures at Amazon

Hello, Calico!

by Karma Wilson

Cute rhyming book for preschoolers. Karma Wilson (Author), Buket Erdogan (Illustrator)

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

Calico Cat Ktty Kitten Sitten Kitten Paperweight

Links to interesting calico cat sites

Japanese Bobtails: Interesting discussion of cats in Japan
Wiki Calicos & Tortoisehell cats: As always, lots of of information on Wikipedia.
Diluted Beauty: Check out this photo of a gorgeous dilute (blue/cream) calico British Shorthair. The photo was taken by Chanan Photography and it's copyrighted so please don't steal.