All about tortoiseshell cats
My Name is Tortie!
Tortoiseshell cats (also called tri-color or tortie) are often confused with calico cats. The confusion is understandable. Calico cats are mostly white with black and bright orange spots. Tortie cats have the same colors, but very little or no white on them at all. The white fur on torties is usually seen on their paws, belly, and chest. Their brown, black, and orange colorings also blend together more than those of calicoes, giving torties a mottled appearance.It's also important to note that torties and calicoes are not breeds; they are just special colorings found in a number of breeds.
And these are Torties!
Not a spectacular photo, but I loved the way her fur pattern echoed the wood pat...
Mellie on the back of the couch, sliding down! She stayed like that for at leas...
In the sun
Faith just hates being put onto the screen porch. I took this through the back ...
looking skyward.............
sophie's kind of a nut sometimes... apologies for not being around much this ...
I thought this turned out kind of cute. Faith and Callie were on the screen por...
miss owl-eyes says, happy furry friday! now let me nap!
From Charm, of course. Reached 4 in Explore.
Her lovely, natural colours are really on display here. Here you can see why she...
Sophie staring intently at Louise, who was sleeping on the couch, getting ready ...
Hit 'all sizes' to see the full size version for insane cuteness MULTIPLIED. ...
first off, i promise that's a real cat (and she has full function of her brain)....
Last night, a rarity, she came to sit in my lap for awhile. She kept gazing up a...
Flickr Groups for Tortoiseshell Cats
So you can share photos of your little bundle of joy!
- Tortoiseshell Cats
- All about the Tortie Cat. Multi Colored Beautiful cats.
- Tortishell Cats
- This group is for Tortishell Cat lovers. Tortishell cats are a type of calico, but they do not have nearly as much white on them as normal Calico cats do. They range from black, orange, cream, and brown, and usually the tortishell color often looks almost paint splattered. Ive owned two tortie-cats and love them to death, if you own your own special Tortie-cat, then feel free to show so here! Please only "Tortishell" calicos. Have fun!
- Tortie Kitties
- This group is for posting pictures of tortoiseshell cats
- Calico & Tortoiseshell Cats
- All about calico cats, long or short hair, patchwork or tortishell, as long as they have 3 or more colors in their coat. Genetics says this will be mostly ladies, although any male calicoes running around are definitely welcome!
- I've got a tortoiseshell too!
- Tortoiseshell cats...dilute or "full flavor"...y'all come!
My Experience with a Tortie
We got her when she was five months old from a pregnant woman in Midtown. My beautiful orange tabby, Surya, had just died suddenly of heartworms, and I was heartbroken. I needed a new friend. We took her home, and she was so scared that she wouldn't come out of the cat taxi. We finally got her out, and she ran to a corner and stayed there all night, hissing if you walked within ten feet of her. The next morning, I found her in the bathroom sink, looking up at me, meowing. She loved me! From then on, she was absolutely fine. She played with us, let us pet her, and even slept under the covers with me. It took me a week to name her, but I finally settled on Cooper, named for my dream car. It turned out to be the perfect name for her: she's cute, tiny, and fast, with lots of spunk.
I have to admit she does have a bit of tortitude, but it doesn't help that I spoil her. She can be very bi-polar at times. One minute she's purring as you pet her; the next minute she's biting your hand for no apparent reason. Even at two-and-a-half years old, she still acts like a playful kitten. She has a foot fetish; she bites & claws at toes and sleeps on & plays with shoes. Cooper's also my own personal alarm clock. Here's just a few of the tactics she uses to wake me: scratching my head, biting my toes, meowing like there's no tomorrow, and staring into my soul.
But she's also the most loving cat I've ever had. She's my little shadow, following me everywhere. She's there when I wake up, and there when I go to bed. And she's always there to keep my legs warm while I type, and of course to help me cook dinner.
Tortie sites
- Tortoiseshell Cats Catster Group
- Cat photos, pictures and stories.
- Messy Beast
- A detailed look into tortoiseshell, tri-color, and calico cats of various breeds.
- Messy Beast - Mosaicism
- Detailed information on male torties and calicos, plus other helpful resources.
- Tortie Love
- A fan site dedicated to torties!
- Wikipedia
- Details on color coat genetics and patterns of torties and calicoes.
- About.com
- November is for tortoiseshell ladies, because they are cloaked in the lovely colors of fall. Let's take a stroll through this picture rainbow of tortie cats, each one reminiscent of a pile of maple leaves glowing in the crisp fall air.
Tortoiseshell Superstitions
From the Tortie Love site (see link above)
--In Scotland and Ireland, a stray tortoiseshell cat settling in one's home is a good omen.
--To dream of a tortoiseshell cat means luck in love.
--In Normandy, seeing a tortoiseshell cat foretold death by accident.
--Edgar Allen Poe was devoted to his tortoiseshell Catarina. She inspired his story "The Black Cat". She sat with his wife during her illness and frequently sat on his shoulder when he wrote."
More superstitions here.
"Tortitude"?
There's something of a great debate concerning the personalities & dispositions of tortoiseshell cats. Some swear they're all impish, diva-like, haughty, naughty, over-the-top, and not always the brightest crayon in the box. Others attest that this just isn't true, that merely sharing the same coloring doesn't make all torties have the same personalities.
So what do you say?
Do all torties have "tortitude"?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes.
Jenn says:
Most Definately! My beautiful Tortoiseshell cat "gizmo" is my baby and my very best friend.. but she is constantly the center of attention. She is very very very attached to me.. Sleeps beside me on the bed, sits on the bathmat outside the shower when Im showering, lays between my legs when Im on the couch and sulks when she knows im going to work. She is soo precious- but doesnt much like company. She gets very skittish around people she doesnt know and will have NOTHING to do with any other animal. She Growls and hisses and GRUNTS around another cat.. so she will be solo as long as I have her <3 She is such a princess- Cleans herself all day long and is super concerned with her appearance, If I kiss her on her face or behind her ears.. she curls up and licks for an hour to get it off her! lol. She really loves the acoustics in our bathroom, aswell.. because every morning around 2 or 3 you can hear "AAAWWWOOOOOO OW OW OW OWWWW???" from the bathroom.. we have come to know it as "singing". she can be so mellow one moment, sitting, purring, or even sleeping.. and the next.. she will be pulling "PUMA" and Bolting around the house doing mad laps. Her favorite toy? not one of the ones her mommy bought her.. I must have spent HUNDREDS on toys for her by now.. and she is in LOVE with a red shoelace that came free with one of my Boyfriends pair of Jeans.. Bizarre little girl but she is my whole world <33 Love you Gizzmo. <33
Posted July 07, 2009
Laura says:
They all do, otherwise what would be so special about them?
Posted July 07, 2009
tortie luver says:
most torts are girls with the rare boy.
Posted July 06, 2009
Davida says:
I have a 17 yr old tortie named Penelope and she definatly has attitude! She only likes females and she is very prissy in the fact that she keeps herself so clean hat if she gets a spot of dirt on her she will lick the fur off to get it clean. My friends and family refer to her as "the queen". She is my cat, she sleeps on my pillow with me would be so happy if she never had to leave my bed. I love her so much that she goes I am going to feel like I have lost a child. (She is 6 wks older than my oldest son.) I have other cats but no of them will ever be like her even tho I just got a 6wk old kitten that looks almost identical to her, but has a personallity a world different from her.
Posted July 03, 2009
D-M says:
We just lost our darling Joy last night to saddle thrombus. I couldn't have loved a cat more, despite my often telling her that she was the worst cat ever! She was a dilute orange and grey torti and was always full of such life and kittenish ways, even at 10. She hung out on top of doors; jumped in the shower with me; stole full sandwiches right off of your plate; pushed pots and pans off the burners and onto the floor while they were hot; talked up a storm whenever I was on the phone with someone; swatted peoples' heads from atop the fridge; and made the funniest little "mine-mine-mine" noise when stealing her siblings' dinners out of their bowls. She constantly had to be monitored and was quite vocal and insistent with her opinions. When she was bad (which was more often than not) we called her "Joysephine Beelzabob". She was definitely a handful. And she was perfect. I've met other torties, too, (one nicknamed "Schitzo" if that tells you anything about a tortie's personality!) and they all seem to have this strangeness about them that is both completely infuriating and absolutely adorable at the same time. I can't imagine how quiet and less interesting our home will be without her.
Posted July 01, 2009
No.
Kayla says:
I just got a tortoise shell cat whom I named Cooper. The cat is only about 4-5 weeks old we're guessing, and came from my fiance's family farm in North Dakota. Cats are over running the farm, so I brought one back to Michigan with me. I've wanted one for some time, and this kitty seemed perfect! I know they say most are female, but, I'm pretty sure Cooper is a male, but, we'll see tomorrow at the vet!
Even though Cooper is only 4-5 weeks, "he" is sooo playful and loving! We also have a one year old Calico named Quiglie. Cooper ran up to Quiglie and just loved on her, although Quiglie has her nose out of joint. Cooper is very friendly and loves to play and sit on your lap while you're working! I don't see any tortitude yet from Cooper!!
Posted July 06, 2009
ya mum says:
Tortoise shells are so cute
Posted June 22, 2009
Amber says:
My torti, Shell, is such a sweet little thing. She sleeps with me every night on my bed and is very smart too. She has only lived with my family for two months, but she learned from day one when to let us know when she wants to go outside-- and she loves to lick my face and my hand.
She's the best cat I've ever had.
Posted June 20, 2009
Harrison says:
I'm twelve. I'm not sure what "tortude means. BUT I DO LOVE CATS!!!!! and im a guy. BUT I WUV CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i wuv my snouggums tashi my beautiful tortoiseshell cat. i love her so much. sghes my babie. and shes 13. getting a bit old, but still she is there when i ake up in the moring in my room, then when im going to bed dhe will follow me to bed and burrow under the covers. i love her!!!!1 shes my snogie ogie ogums
Posted June 19, 2009
Sue says:
No- my torti is the sweetest little thing. Very affectionate, pickyy eater- but I am convinced, she is totally a re-incarnated per-
son. I work crazy hours, and I can tell her "dusty, don't wake me until 7.8 or whatever time I need to get up, and low and behold
she will wake me up within 5 minutes of whatever time I tell her.
And If I don't need to get up, I will say "dusty, don't wake me
in the morning" And she won't. My husband thinks I'm crazy, but
is even more amazed when he witnesses her actions!!!!I love her
to death!!
Posted May 27, 2009
Do you own a tortie?
Tortie Books
Well....sorta.
Until then, check out these books that talk about torties.
The Little Calico and Tortoiseshell Cat Book (The Little Cat Library)
Just about the only book kinda dedicated to torties.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009) 
Used Price: $0.01
Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul: Stories of Feline Affection, Mystery and Charm (Chicken Soup for the Soul)
From playful and hilarious accounts of life with cats to heartwarming tales of cat courage, healing and learning, each touching story in Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul celebrates the special bond we share with our cats.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/12/2009)
Used Price: $0.18
ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats: Everything You Need to Know About Choosing and Caring for Your Pet (Aspc Complete Guide to)
For many, the search for a comprehensive cat-care book often leads to frustration, finding only specific topics addressed in each book--from a care primer here to a breed book there. Now, from the ASPCA, comes the Complete Guide to Cats, covering everything that a cat owner needs to know about choosing and caring for a kitty.
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Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/12/2009)
Used Price: $0.38
Dickens of a Cat, A: and Other Stories of the Cats We Love
Well-known authors, including Melody Carlson, Tracie Peterson, and Robert Benson, as well as new voices share their inspirational true stories of these otherwise ordinary cats whose presence in the lives of humans make them remarkable.
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Amazon Price: $10.39 (as of 07/12/2009)
Used Price: $0.96
The Cat Bible: Everything Your Cat Expects You to Know
The Cat Bible explains the mysteries of feline behavior to owners who are devoted to their cats without being able to fully understand them. It offers straightforward solutions to the problems that cause people to give up their cats, many of which are preventable, including litter box avoidance, furniture scratching, and physical ailments.
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Amazon Price: $13.60 (as of 07/12/2009)
Used Price: $3.30
Tortie Lovers Unite
Do you have a tortoiseshell cat? Feel free to share your comments and stories!
Concerned. wrote
I have a beautiful torti named tinkerbell that is 2 years old & she is my little princess, she follows me EVERYWHERE! and i can't leave the house without giving her a big cuddle everyday. She can be Bi-Polar at times, she'll jump up for a pat then quickly will bite my hand lol. But i am concerned as i've never heard her meow before, should this be a worry? i know she can't be deaf as she responds to her name & any noise. She is also not the type to jump on your lap and sit there but will sleep ontop of my bed everynight. If anyone can offer any help i'd greatly appreciate it! x
Posted July 09, 2009
kathy wrote
i love torties! i've had 4 and they all have been loving and playful. i have 2 rescued at different times-girls named rosie-posie and mandy-moo moo. my oldest tortie lived to be 20!
Posted July 02, 2009
Lianimal
Cooper is absolutely gorgeous
I have a little part Siamese tortie named Monkey. I know, an odd name for an adorable little cat, but she's a menace! lol....she'd be swinging from the chandalier if I had one. She's just hog-wild, but the purriest and sweetest little thing ever. If I ever can afford my own computer again, I'll upload some pics.
Posted June 30, 2009
SugarVsSpice wrote...
Oooo thanks for adding a zazzle module to my tortie range!
Oops I hadn't realized the cream kitties had a "tortoiseshell" tag in them, I've removed it so they don't appear... it might take an hr or so to take effect though. Also you can stop the tortie guinea pig showing up by making the tag word tortoiseshell cat ...thanks again! :))
Posted June 30, 2009
by TheLeftFitz
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