Extremely Rare Male Tortie Spotted Wandering the Streets of the UK to the Astonishment of Cat Enthusiasts Everywhere
All cats are unique and beautiful in their own ways, but there is something a little more special about tortoiseshell cats, or "torties" for short. Their coats, for one, are especially eye-catching, and they also have a reputation for being quite feisty.
Torties aren't a specific breed of cat; rather, they are a group of cats that have a distinctive coat pattern resembling that of a tortoiseshell.
The pattern combines two colors, often described as ginger-red and black, and never includes white. The red patches can sometimes lean more towards yellow, orange, or gold, while the black can occasionally appear more chocolate, gray, or tabby.
If you're thinking of cats with a tri-colored coat, those are not torties but calico cats. These cats can also exhibit tortoiseshell patterns, which is why they are often confused with one another.
In many countries and cultures, torties are actually considered to be good luck. In Ireland, they are said to bring their owners good fortune, while in Japan, they are believed to protect ships from bad storms, shipwrecks, and sometimes even ghosts.
Male torties are extremely rare, however, and can be quite difficult to find. That's why many people, especially cat enthusiasts, were astonished when they discovered this male tortie simply wandering the streets of Colwyn Bay in the UK.
See, tortie cats are almost always female.
The chances of a male tortie being born are approximately 1 in 3000. What makes them so unique?
According to science, the gene responsible for the black and orange shades in a cat's coat is found on the X chromosome. Therefore, to be born male, calico cats and torties must have two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome instead of the typical one X and one Y.
That's why, when this male tortie was found wandering the streets, he immediately became the center of attention.
The five-month-old kitty was picked up by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and then handed over to the Wrexham Adoption Centre.
According to Suzan Kennedy, the center manager, everyone was quite surprised when they realized that the kitten had beaten the genetic odds by being born male.
“Certainly, none of us here have ever seen a male tortoiseshell before, and it’s been many years since Cats Protection has had one in care, despite our assistance to 200,000 cats a year,” she said.
The rare cat was named Cresta.
For such a unique creature, finding his forever family wasn't a big deal at all. Suzan shared that his new family was aware of how special he is and couldn't wait to bring him home. She also mentioned that the kitten was perfectly healthy and there was nothing to worry about.
“Although it’s rare, there shouldn’t be any health problems for Cresta,” Suzan said. “Male tortoiseshells tend to be sterile, but he has been neutered to be on the safe side and to prevent unwanted kittens from being born in the future.”
As it seems, everyone is definitely happy for Cresta. His dark days wandering the streets and wondering where his next meal would come from are finally over.
Hopefully, he will have plenty of love and care to enjoy in his forever home. He definitely deserves that kind of love, especially given how special he is.
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