“Tortitude” – The Unique Personality of Tortoiseshell Cats
Tortoiseshell cats are named for their distinctive coloring – a combination of patches of black, brown, amber, red, cinnamon and chocolate. The size of the patches varies from a fine speckled pattern to large areas of color. The term “tortoiseshell” is used for cats with brindled coats that have few or no white markings. Cats of this coloring with larger areas of white fur are called calicos. Sometimes, these colors present in lighter versions such as lilac or cream. Torties with this lighter coloring are called dilute torties. Occasionally, the typical tortoiseshell colors are also seen in a tabby (striped) pattern, and these cats are sometimes referred to as “torbies.”
Tortoiseshell cats are almost exclusively female. Tortoiseshell and calico coats are the result of the interaction between genetic and developmental factors. The occasional and very rare male tortoiseshell cat is the result of a genetic mutation.
In addition to their distinctive coloring, torties also have a reputation for unique personalities, sometimes referred to as “tortitude.” They tend to be strong-willed, a bit hot-tempered, and they can be very possessive of their human. Other words used to describe torties are fiercely independent, feisty and unpredictable. They’re usually very talkative and make their presence and needs known with anything from a hiss to a meow to a strong purr. These traits are stronger in tortoiseshell cats than in calicos – it seems as though these traits are somewhat diluted with the addition of more white to the color scheme.
As of the writing of this post, I share my life with Amber*, and those of you who’ve followed this blog for a while have gotten to know her in her Amber’s Mewsings posts. You will soon be able to read all about Buckley in Buckley’s Story – Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher. The photo above shows Buckley in the front, Amber behind her.
Prior to Amber and Buckley, there was another tortie in my life. Virginia was the first office cat at the animal hospital I managed. She was my introduction to torties, and my love affair with this particular type of cat began with her. She, too, had the “tortitude” I so love about these particular cats.
Do you have a tortie or calico in your life? Does she have “tortitude?”
*Sadly, Amber passed away on May 13, 2010, after a sudden, brief illness. I now share my life with Allegra and Ruby, two tortoiseshell cats who have their own columns here on The Conscious Cat, titled Allegra’s World and Ruby’s Reflections.
Photo ©Ingrid King, all rights reserved
Hi! First-time visitor. Wow, Buckly was GORGEOUS!
I’ve been enslaved by many torties in my life, mostly through my family when I was a child, but now by two of my very own. Torties make me laugh like no other kitty can. Big, beautiful, wonderfully quirky purrsonalities… and those classic ‘tortie moments’… those times when your tortie is purring, half asleep, and wagging her tail, seemingly expressing every emotion she can have, simultaneously. And the climax to all this activity? The sudden CHOMP and run! LOVE IT! HAHA!
I started a Facebook group (I joke and say it’s more like a support group than anything!) called “Tortie Lovers United” to share my love of these unique kitties. I was actually really surprised and heartened to find so many like-minded individuals who just can’t get enough tortie in their lives. We even have a male tortie in our group! Sadly, one of our members just lost one of her two (14 year old sister) torties. It’s been a rough weekend as a result, but the outpouring of love from other tortie lovers around the world has been remarkable to witness. They are special little furbabies.
I love your description of the tortie personality, Kim! I’ll definitely check out your Facebook group. Sharon, one of our regular commenters here, has a male tortie. If you google “Doodlebug” on my site, you’ll find more about him.
Hi Kim! Welcome
I just sent a request to join your Tortie group on Facebook! How fun.
Are tortie’s the only breed that has their color connected/controled to XY and XX genes?
All tri-color cats do, Jennifer. Here’s a good explanation: http://www.messybeast.com/tricolours.htm
#24 to go. listen up gang. Go for it
Thanks for all the good wishes for Sabrina. Just tried to feed her baby food mixed with tuna juice — I think I got more on me than into her little mouth. I am very glad that she is going to the vet tomorrow as she is not improving. Bernie, I did see her drinking from the water bowl this morning.
I’m so sorry to hear she’s still not back to being herself. Sending lots of good wishes for a quick recovery – it’s so worrisome when they’re like this.
Thanks… I’m headed home to try and syringe feed her. I’m pretty worried. I don’t feel that we have a cause, if it were upset from the furball, I’d think it would be resolving – but I now fear vomiting of the furball was a symptom, not the cause.
Julie and Harry, it really is painful to know your anguish and worry for Sabrina. The Tortie family is as worried as you folks. I just wish I knew what to tell you, I don’t. I will just keep Sabrina and all of you in my thoughts and prayers. You know how badly I want your little girl to be OK. Love you guys
I know its always worry-some when they stop eating and aren’t themselves.
I sure hope the vet can help out and that her health improves.
Best wishes.
Thanks, Bernie. I was able to syringe food into her earlier, and will do again in a little while if it stays down. I realized, lying next to her on the floor for a while, that she’s stuffy – I wonder if as the Pepcid was starting to work, she got a cold and that’s why she’s not eating now. I hope the vet will have some answers tomorrow. I was ignoring the numbers, but I don’t want 10,000 to be about something other than how happy we were to have found each other and this blog, so I’m changing the subject.
Three tortie kittens found their furever home this weekend:
http://lostdogrescue.org/cats-adopted/36220/hunger-gals-glimmer
That could be, Harry–I think Julie said she was drinking earlier, and that’s positive.
I can’t believe we are down to fewer than 25! Tomorrow morning for sure!
I wanted to hold off so we really didn’t have to awaken Ingrid, but I also wanted to let you know I was thinking about Sabrina and sending black cat energy.
Bernadette, I think it should be Harry to call Ingrid and get her out of bed. He lives closer and she can always pay he and Julie a very early visit to say hello, you called me and got me out of bed. I would love to hear that.
OK Harry. We will revert back for a while. I will still worry about Sabrina, because she is a part of the happiness brought us all together.
I believe I have received the most love and support from our family here and hope to keep it going that way.
So if I could speak German, I would start sending Ingrid messages to get her “butt” near her computer.
How is Sabrina this morning, Harry?
The Hunger Game Torties are unbelievable cute and how could you go wrong with names like those!
We are down to 12. That means Ingrid better stay up late or get up really early. Earlier than usual.
Stop it at 9999 and wait for her
I ain’t calling.
I agree to stop it at 9999
I ain’t calling or then maybe I will. Call me if it is down to 7 by the early hours, I am far enough away she can’t get here before I can be gone. 
Sending wellness vibes to Sabrina. I just got home and see 9 more till 10,000.
If Bernie gets Ingrid out of bed and she comes looking for her – Bernie will be at my house till late afternoon tomorrow. If you can’t get here in time catch a plane to Greensburg cause even the cops can’t catch her on the Turnpike, I’m not going to say she speeds but her Garmin said it was triple digits on her last run. Those moonshiners ain’t got nothin on her.
hi i came across this site called life with cats and saw this story i don’t know if anyone on here is from florida or not but heres the link to the story it’s a brother and sister torties looking for a forever home…http://www.lifewithcats.tv/2012/05/04/sea-and-sandy-brother-and-sister-tortie-kittens-looking-for-a-home/ maybe someone here can help? have a great day all…….grace
Grace, welcome to In grid’s blog. She is about to set a record of 10,000 posts.
I saw the pics of those 2 Tortie kittens and would take both. I took a vote and it was 4 to 1 to get them. Me and 3 cats said yes. Stirfry ( The Tortie that owns me) said NO !!!!!
Out-voted she is pissed.
hahahaha are you going to get them??
I he can find a way, he is going to try. Yep he will try.
ohhhh that is awesome!!!!!!
I think they have already been adopted – I don’t see them on the Broward County Humane Society website anymore.
I called this AM. I can confirm that Sea is already adopted. Well we tried.
awwww its a shame they didn’t keep them together
Ingrid, I got a message from Steeler, Amber and Buckley. You are to get your butt out of bed and make this blog hit 10000 for all our Torties in kitty heaven and our family of right here on this blog.
You better make it something special.
I am going to say Happy Birthday to you even tho you still have 3 days to go. The blog is not going to wait 3 days.
Now I know why I wasn’t sleeping well last night – you guys were sending me “wake up” thoughts! I can’t believe we’re almost there! I feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve!
I’m going to make a big announcement about this once we hit the magic number, so if I could ask you to keep it quiet on Facebook until I get a chance to put that announcement together later today, that would be great
In the meantime, here we go, counting down!
4 more to go!
Good Morning Ingrid I am happy to know you feel like Christmas. Gather the little ones around because we are coming home for the 10,000.
My wish for all the family and little furry ones past and present is that they always remember, and we all will remember each of our little ones that give us so much happiness. Love you all
I am going to claim 9,999 in memory of Steeler and Cookie. Two wonderful Torties that left us before the 10,000 mark but they will live on forever in our hearts.
Wow! We did it! This is amazing!!!
Thank you Bernie, Steeler, Jay, Stirfry, Glen, Kasey, Harry, Julie, Rachel, Brooke, Bernadette, Cookie, Kelly, Lynn, Monkey, Sue, Nikita, Luna, Betty, Columbia, Sharon, Doodlebug, Shannah, Emma and all the others who turned an ordinary blog post into an extraordinary community.
WE ARE FAM-A-LEE! Guess you have to be of a certain age, and perhaps even from Pittsburgh during the City of Champions days, to know that disco-era song, but we are family! So glad we all met, and for sharing our torties and our other cats, our adoptions and losses, our music and families of blood relations. Who would know I’d meet a famous tortoiseshell named Steeler right down the road from me, and torties from foreign countries too–well, Canada, anyway. Glad we all met!
Bernadette, WE ARE FAM-A-LEE IS KNOWN ACROSS THE USA. I think almost everyone who heard of the football team knows that about the Steeler’s. It is so true of this blog. Can you imagine we all yakked it up to over 10,000. No wonder my fingers are a little tender.
We are definitely FAM-A-LEE here. Thanks for the reminder of good memories.
Bernadette, I started back today after I read this about We are fam e lee. I could not get that darn song out of my head. I kept thinking, Bernadette, it had to be you. That is one song whose lyrics just keep going and going and going, much like my driving.
Woo-hoo! 10,000+ … amazing! (Or not, considering that torties are otherworldly creatures with decidedly magical powers.) I adore all of you … and by the way, Emma is sitting here on my lap purring like mad.
Big purry hugs to each and every one.
Shannah
Hey Now, Happy Birthday to you. Jay and I, Steeler and Stirfry.
Congratulations to all!!!!
Best Birthday present ever!
[...] all began on August 17, 2009, when I wrote a post titled Tortitude – the Unique Personality of Tortoiseshell Cats. The post features one of my favorite photos of Amber and Buckley, and rapidly became one of the [...]
I have been the proud mom of 2 very loud girls with huge tortitudes out of this world. Sadly, my Sagey girl got out and was never seen again. I like to think she took over someone’s barn or possibly an entire city somewhere….
But my other girl, Mingus, is mama’s baby. She sleeps on me and hisses at any other cat who ever appear to think about touching me or the bed. She is such a joy, even though all of the other cats hate her!
I love your blog and am happy to know I’m not the only one who loves and appreciates the world of torti
Happy over 10,000 comments!
Sonya
I’m sorry about your Sagey, Sonya, but the thought of a tortie taking over an entire city somewhere made me smile.
I’m happy you love my blog, and thank you!
Two calicos and two chocolate torties…I love em.. Love their spirit..love their colour…love them all..x
What a wonderful mix, Sharon! Allegra is a chocolate tortie.
Congrats on making the 10k run Ingrid! I’ve been too leary to post the past couple of days for fear of accidently making that last post….lol
Thanks, Betty! I know I made Bernie, Jay, Harry and Bernadette a little nervous when I had to be away from the computer for a couple of hours this morning!
If Harry hadn’t been on an important errand with Sabrina, we would have sent him out to head you off!
“a little nervous” Now that is an understatement if any were ever said. Just so you folks know, yes I did call her while she was on the road and left her a message to get her —-to a computer fast.
Good grief, Ingrid, you just aged us all, and I for one don’t want to age
We would all have been so devastated had it not been you to post that milestone of 10,000 posts. Now really, next time, stay home. OK
This is truly an amazing community of people who have (mostly, except for a few miscreants) never met each other.
Sabrina is hospitalized, but the news is not that bad. Dr. E. thinks that she has a huge furball still stuck in her colon. I’ll spare you all the details of the immediate treatment, but the hope is that with some pain meds, and appetite stimulant, we can get her gut moving again and she’ll pass it.
No wonder the poor little girl doesn’t feel like eating. Maybe the immediate treatment will do the trick all on its own.
That is such good news! It’s not often but sometimes you’ll hear about a hairball being lodged somewhere in the digestive system, especially on the way out. You had mentioned her being stuffy too–sometimes when they vomit rather violently it will push gastric fluids into their sinuses and be pretty darned uncomfortable for a while. I’m glad she’s in good hands and has such a good human family!
Hugs to you Harry, and healing thoughts on the way to Sabrina.
Hey Now Harry, how did you know I was a miscreant?
The news about Sabrina sounds hopeful. I am keeping her and all of you in my prayers. She will be ok. I just know it.
Bernie tried fitting Stellers “old” harness on Frankie. It was made for a small cat. It was 6″ too small for his cat chest (not to mention his belly. Need to get one for “Large Dog” as no cat one will fit.
Any large donations will be appreciated
You mean something like this, Jay?
http://www.amazon.com/Kyjen-Outward-Hound-Jacket-Orange/dp/B0042IHER8
Hey now, that is what he needs. You nailed that one.
Harry, keep us updated on Sabrina.
Lynn, how is the new house and ghosts going.
We are heading for 20,000 by next year. Bernie’s fingers will really be tired now.
20,000 – sounds like a plan.
Just spoke to the vet. Sabrina must have been in a lot of pain, as once the meds took effect, she sighed and visibly relaxed. In fact, she feels good enough that she smacked the vet when she tried to administer fluids. “Stealth” black tortie. She’s passed a huge amount of hair, but there is still more that needs to come out. Somewhat distressingly, her neutrophil count is pretty high, which does suggest that something else is going on, but maybe once we get the GI panel back we’ll know more, and maybe be able to guess what decreased her motility so that the hair built up. She’ll come home tonight with a medicine cabinet full of stuff, laxative, appetite stimulant, and pain meds.
The elevated neutrophil count is probably just caused by the trauma and/or inflammation resulting from the impaction. I’m glad she can come home tonight.
And stealth tortitude.
she’s ready to go. Apparently, she feels so good now that she slashed the vet tech
When we brought her in, she was all huddled up in a ball, and let Dr. E examine her guts in great detail. I told the tech just now that we call her our “stealth” tortie, and she responded with my EXACT words: there must be an orange hair on her somewhere.
Now we are talking. Sabrina is back. Harry I could not be happier to hear such good news. I hope she continues to be herself as before. Even to raising a ruckus with Brooke of whoever she decides to go for.
Keep us posted on her, ok. Sending Steeler hugs and kisses.
Sabrina ate again this morning, and so I think that we won’t give her the appetite stimulant and see what happens. The idea is to have her eat, but not too much all at once. She’s not as loopy this morning, but hasn’t had her pain meds yet. I’m going to try and reduce the dose on that a little bit, too, since that’s a fine balance on keeping her gut feeling comfortable, and slowing it down.
Heading for 20,000!
My husband rescued two torti sisters as a surprise Christmas gift last year. I had a wonderful torti (Smudge–great name, huh??) while growing up, but he had never been exposed to tortitude. He’s learning about it pretty quickly!
Our girls have taken over the house and I’m pretty sure the two little imps could take over the world!
Smudge – perfect name!
Torties will take over the world. Just a matter of time
sd
Do you mean they haven’t already???? Geez I thought they had.
Stirfry has already taken over the house and planning World Domination.
Bernie is on her way west. The way she drives she should go that 200 miles in the next 30 minutes.
She will respond as soon as she gets home. Hopefully without the Police escort (behind her).
She slows down when she has a slightly carsick passenger riding shotgun. When we came to the book signing she started out on those winding back roads at a pretty good clip and set my head and stomach spinning for the whole trip. It was slow down or pull over every 15 minutes. She didn’t believe me when I told her she needed to drive reasonably, but she learned fast.
Hey Now, my shotgun rider. The next time I will supply the motion sickness meds for you before takeoff. We did have a great trip to the book signing.
Just for the record, Bernadette was yelling at the voice on the GPS. She didn’t agree with the Garmin directions. Just saying
That was after you yelled at the lady. And if you give me motion sickness meds you’d have to carry me around for the next 24 hours, which is why I didn’t take them. I sleep for six hours straight and I’m really groggy for the next day. It’s no fun. Just drive like a normal person. Curves can be negotiated on all four wheels.
Seriously, is that why those four wheels are there. I thought you used up two first, then switched to use the other 2. That way they last twice as long.
“Just drive like a normal person”. You will have to define normal person for me. What curves?????
I think Bernie drives perfectly fine ( coming from a person who passes Jets who are going too slow).
Those 4 wheels are for off road only (and sidewalks).
And she has nice curves.
[...] on The Conscious Cat which extolled the unique appearance and personality of tortoiseshell cats, ” ‘Tortitude’: The Unique Personality of Tortoiseshell Cats“. I had recently met the author Ingrid King at a Cat Writers’ Association conference [...]
My calico has ALOT of Tortitude. This girl is in your face, pay attention to my needs all of the time. In contrast the two Torties I had before her were mellow layed back kitties. Go figure.
Some people say the addition of white to the coat coloring adds even more tortitude. Sounds like your calico supports that theory, Kathy!
SHE’S EATING!
Was just wondering how she was doing! Such good mews!
Great news. Let her have all she wants. Sleep well tonight my friends. Sabrina is going to be ok.
Glad to hear that Harry. I was really worried.
Slashing a vet is always a good sign for a Tortie ( or Stealth Tortie). Means quick improvements.
What a relief!
Yay! That’s great news. Will keep sending good thoughts for a speedy, full recovery.
Thanks, Shannah. I want to get a t-shirt with her face on it that says,
“Stealth Tortie: All of the ‘Tude, None of the Orange Warning Hairs”
She’s continuing to eat today, still kind of out of it from the pain meds which our vet recommends that we continue anyway (Sabrina was really in a lot of pain in her gut) but she’s much more like herself.
That is really good news. Now does this mean Brooke is hiding in the bedroom from her again. If so, then the family is back to normal.
Am SO VERY relieved to hear that Harry. Please keep giving us reports on her though until we’re sure she’s out of the woods.
EXCELLENT news!!!
GREAT news!!!
I post off and on but not have never posted on this thread.
I have a torti named Lucy and a calico named Rikki.
Lucy is such a handful. LoL. She is sassy and demanding but can also ne a total sweetie. She runs hot and cold. She is also very anxious and paranoid maybe due to her being a former stray. I was feeling she just wasn’t happy so I got lil Rikki a few months after adopting Lucy. I’m very blessed that they completely love each other.
So happy 10k and many more to come.
Diana, Lucy and Rikki.
I didn’t know you had a tortie, Diana. Lucy sounds like she’s got tortitude for sure. That’s wonderful that she and Rikki love each other.
Yes, it was a good move…she kind of took on the mom role even though they are not that much different in age.
Lucy is definitely all tortie
OMG this is perfect… I was wondering why our Cat Sepia was such a stinker at times… She knows what she wants and talks ALL the time… Thank god I saw this site.. I was starting to dislike her.. But atleast I know it is not her fault she is a little ***** for my taste….
Angel
Welcome to the world of tortitude! I’m glad you found this site – especially glad for Sepia’s sake!
Right???
Do they ever become nice? Can we change her somehow? She is NOT a cuddly cat that’s for sure…
Let me try to answer this one for you. My Steeler, was the most precious little Tortie ever. She talked and talked. She did not want to be held. She did follow me everywhere and waited for me at the door. She would sleep on my bed on her own pillow beside mine every night.
Steeler would never let me make her a cuddly kitten. But she gave me her heart and it was as big as the world. I would give anything to have that little Tortie act up for me again.
So enjoy your Sepia, she is a true Tortie.
WEll Sepia is everything you just said about ur Steeler… EVERYTHING….. She follows us ALL everywhere..Its just she bites and is only held for about a second… Everything is on her terms…
Thank you Bernie 
Ruby is a total lovebug/lapcat – I call her my velcro kitten. Allegra is very affectionate, and likes to be close to me, but she rarely gives me lap time.
I don’t think you can change a cat’s basic personality. Coat color may have something to do with it, but it’s not the only determining factor. Some cats will mellow out as they age. How old is Sepia?
She is going to be a yr in Aug…
“I don’t think you can change a cat’s basic personality”
I completely agree.
I wish I could have a re-do, about 22 years ago, of trying to make one of our old girls, Molly the silver tabby a cuddly lap cat.
She was a nice cat, usually wanting to be with me, just not a lap cat and now, I wish I had realized that.
I think the talkative behaviour is a friendly gesture, expressing affection and need for attention.
Welcome to Tortie world Sepia. Enjoy the ride that Sepia is giving you. The talking is one of the great ways they let you know it if NOW, not later.
She cries or talks all the time….
Sepia, my Lucy is very demanding ,too. Sometimes me up 2-3 times a night..scratching the back of my chair( I sleep on my lazyboy). You know what she wants? Me to put a few kibbles from the bowl to her tray so she can eat. she’s a mess
The thing with torties is, you have to accept them on their terms, even more so than other cats. Once you do – well, just ask Bernie what can happen.
Bopeeps, hi. Sounds like your Lucy has you trained well.
I am Bernie the devout servant to Steeler. Harry mentioned you should ask me about Steeler.
Well from the time Steeler began sleeping with me, I kept treats under her pillow, because she would swat me with her paw with claws, walk on me and then really smack me when I didn’t respond quickly. She did the same thing when she wanted me to get up and go to the kitchen and feed her.
As for scratching chairs, well I have 4 beautiful antique oak dining chairs. Steeler decided those were hers to be used as scratching post, each an every one of them. They have deep scratches on every leg. She also went for the chairs when I would be busy and not paying attention to her. She would go straight for the chairs and start clawing. I don’t think I will ever refinish those chairs. She left her mark on my heart and on my four chairs. Yes we each grew to be intune with each others moods and needs. Just saying I miss her is just not enough. She is in my heart and soul forever.
Hi everyone
I have been reading this site on and off for months now and enjoying reading about all of your special little furrie friends. I have a dilute tortie called Gracie who has plenty of tortitude and sounds like she would fit in well with all of her American cousins (I live in Australia). I have sat her and nodded with recognition, laughed out loud and cried tears when reading all of your stories, especially recently with Bernie’s loss of Steeler. I visit often but have never posted before.
Regards to you all.
Hi Margaret! Nice to “meet” you and Gracie!
Hi Margaret,
I am Bernie and I know your have a real lot of Tortitude going on down under. Gracie doesn’t just sound like she would fit right in here, she is already here now. You, of course belong to our family here too. This site is the best of the best and we all talk about everything from Torties, to family, and we all laugh and when one of us is in need of support, everyone on here is here for you as they are for me.
Yes, I lost my little Steeler. She is still here with me in a manner of speaking. I love that Tortie with all my heart. I could sense what she was saying or what she wanted. Even when she was raising heck with me. I cannot tell you how badly I miss her.
I just have to share that I was on the phone with a friend and went into the kitchen to get kitty dinner together while we were talking. Kelly read my mind as soon as I walked in, leaped from her cabinet to the table to the “island” where she eats, talking loudly–and when Kelly is loud she turns on the Siamese in her heritage. My friend called her “Yelly Kelly”! How’s that for a tortie?!
That sounds like one heck of a good “Yelly Kelly”. More likely she was yelling at you for being on the phone and not getting her dinner.
Steeler would always come after me when the phone rang or when I would pick it up to make a call.
She demanded all the attention. I can honestly say, I loved that in her. My little one wanted me all to herself. That was just fine with me.
I made the mistake of getting Stir all riled up (easy for her) and then put her on the floor (after I gave blood).
Frankie came into the room when I called for Stir.
Kinda like shaking a soda bottle and watching who picks it up.
Stir chased Frankie out to the kitchen and then came back onto my lap.
Hi Bernie
I can understand how much you miss your friend Steeler. Our cats sometimes leave wounds on our bodies but they always leave their paw prints on our hearts. Gracie “adopted” me about three years ago from a rescue centre. Well, that’s how I look at it … I went to “just have a look” and I’m sure she decided that she was coming home with me before I even saw her. About four months before Gracie came along I had to have my 15 year old moggie Buddie put to sleep – he had been unwell for a little while and was gradually declining. I still miss my “Bud”, despite Gracie winding her little tortie tail round my heart. I’m so pleased I have found this site … I am glad to have “met” you all and become part of the family.