November 20, 2018 |5 min read
Three Favorite Bicolor Cats
Do you know what bicolor cats are? Bicolor cats are any cat with two colors of fur, and those two colors can be any colors at all! Bicolor cats can be black and white (reverse tuxedo cat), ginger and white, grey and black... You get the idea. Here are three examples of bicolor cat types and why we love them.
Turkish Van Bicolor Cats
The most exclusive and rare bicolor cat, the Turkish Van feline can possibly boast ancestors that go back thousands of years. There are only around 100 Van kittens born each year, and each cat is recognizable for its long, luxurious fur with patches of color only on the ears and tail. These bicolor beauties are known for being intelligent and independent and benefit from lots of human interaction in early life. If you're a cat lover that is looking for a feline with a stunning coat pattern, this pet is the perfect option for you.
Another black and white favorite, Cow Cats (also known as the reverse tuxedo cat), are so called because their markings are reminiscent of dairy cows. Also called Moo Cats, Piebald, Harlequins and even Magpie cats, the bi-color Cow Cat can be any breed although most tend to be short-hairs. The kitty markings and coloring tend to be primarily one color with large spots of the opposite color, and sometimes Cow Cats appear as though they are wearing a mask. The piebald markings are a great evolutionary advantage, as they actually help the cat hide in patches of light and shadow. This can make hunting a breeze for these mixed breed cats!
Tuxedo Bicolor Cats
Most bicolor cats are black and white. In fact, around 75% of all cats worldwide are black and white! That’s a lot of chromatic kitties. There are many ways a cat can be colored this way, but when a cat is mostly black with a white front, they are often called a Tuxedo Cat. The white chest and often front legs are reminiscent of a shirt peeping through a black Tuxedo, giving these cats an odd, sort of formal look.
Some cat breeds have a greater chance than others of producing a Tuxedo cat when bred. These include Persian cats, Manx cats, and Oriental shorthairs, but Tuxedo kittens can appear in any breed of cat. It’s just pot luck! Because Tuxedo cats are a color pattern, not a breed, they tend to follow the characteristics of their genetics. But Tuxedo cat owners have reported that these posh looking cats are energetic, social and very affectionate. It’s thought that William Shakespeare, Beethoven, and Sir Isaac Newton all had Tuxedo Cats.
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"Cow" Bicolor Cats
Another black and white favorite, Cow Cats, are so called because their markings are reminiscent of dairy cows. Also called Moo Cats, Piebald, Harlequins and even Magpie cats, these bi-color cats can be any breed although most tend to be short-hairs. The markings tend to be primarily one color with large spots of the opposite color, and sometimes Cow Cats appear as though they are wearing a mask. The piebald markings are a great evolutionary advantage, as they actually help the cat hide in patches of light and shadow. This can make hunting a breeze!
One of the sad things about Cow Cats is that because black and white kitties are so common, they tend to get left at the animal shelter much longer than other, more exotic-seeming cats. So next time you're looking for a new cat, don't overlook the Cow Cats. Not only do they have a beautiful color pattern, but they also serve as the perfect pet for any cat lover. They make fantastic pets and as they're usually crossbreeds, may live for up to 20 years as an indoor cat.
What bi-color cats have you had in your life? Do you prefer the pure-bred Vans or the quirky Cows? Let us know your favorite kitty in the comments!
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