Another name for these rare cats is dilute torties. Most Tortoiseshell cats have black, orange, and sometimes reddish fur, while the dilute torties are pale. You will see them in cream and blue shades.
The rarest of all tortoiseshell cats is the Lilac Tortoiseshell cat.
Origin and History of the Lilac Tortoiseshell Cats
These cats are unique because of their coat and are very similar to the color pattern of a tortoiseshell cat. Their coat combines orange, black, brown, and red fur. Cats of various breeds, such as Siamese, American Shorthairs, and Persian, can have tortoiseshell coats.
The uniqueness of the Lilac Tortoiseshell comes from the pale purple hue to its black and orange coat. Lilac Tortoiseshell cats are less common than all the other tortoiseshell cats with darker hues.
The Earliest Records of the Lilac Tortoiseshell Cats
According to many this breed was introduced in the 16th century in Asia. Tortoiseshell cats have a very long history which can be seen from their presence in many ancient legends as well as folk tales from different cultures. In Southeast Asia, the Torties are believed to appear from the blood of a young goddess who was born by a lotus flower.
Some Celtic legends also mention Torties cats. All these facts lead to the conclusion that Lilac Tortoiseshell cats have been around for a very long time, or almost the same as domestic cats. An argument for this can be their appearance due to a genetic mutation. The Lilac Tortoiseshell cats are still not recognized as a separate breed.
The popularity that the Lilac Tortoiseshell cats have gained due to some superstitious attributes. Sailors in Japan believe that these cats protect against shipwrecks and ghosts. In Ireland, Torties bring good luck, while in the USA they have been known as money cats since long ago.
Besides this superstition connected to Torties, the Lilac Tortoiseshell cats are rare, especially males, so that may be another reason for their popularity.
The Lilac Tortoiseshell Cat Personality
There is a term “Tortitude” which is probably known among you who are cat lovers that refers to a very unique personality of these cats. Lilac Tortoiseshell cats have much more attitude than all other cats. They are aggressive, unpredictable, and sassy.
There was research made by a student at the University of California-Davis according to which around 1200 cat owners revealed that their Torties are more aggressive than cats with different coat colors than theirs. This doesn’t have to do anything with genetics. The coat color has nothing to do with the temperament of the cat, besides the research results. So, I can freely say that not all Torties express “Tortitude”.
Let’s now talk about five unique facts about the Lilac Tortoiseshell cats.
1. These cats are not a recognized breed. It is rather a classification of cats with a coat that resembles a tortoise shell. Cats with this color pattern can be found in many different breeds. These cats are born from parents carrying the recessive gene that makes this unique coat.
2. Most of the Lilac Tortoiseshell cats are female.
99.9% of these cats are female. Only one cat in 3000 is male. This happens because the recessive genes from the orange and black coats are based on the X chromosome.
Female Lilac Tortoiseshell cats have two X chromosomes and they can easily have black and orange colors on their coat. Male cats as I mentioned have only one X chromosome and rarely a male cat can also have two X chromosomes together with a Y chromosome which is an exception and the only possible way for a male cat to have both, black and orange color.
3. Male Lilac Tortoiseshell Cats are sterile
If a male cat of a Lilac Tortoiseshell breed has an additional X chromosome besides the normal XY chromosomes it will be sterile. This happens to be a hormonal abnormal state for a male cat.
4. Lilac Tortoiseshell cats’ personality can vary
A tortoiseshell pattern can be found in many breeds and their personality varies. So, the character of the cat depends on the breed and not on the color pattern.
In general Lilac Tortoiseshell cats are assumed to be more aggressive and active compared to other cats.
5. The Lilac Tortoiseshell Cats are known as Dilute Torties
The fifth and last fact is that these cats are called dilute torties because of the pale coloring of their coat. We all know that tortoiseshell cats have black, orange, and reddish colors on their coats, but these have pale shades of blue and cream.
What is the most to be accented here is that the purplish hue is very rare.
Does this cat make a good pet?
As with any other domestic cat, the Lilac Tortoiseshell can make an ideal pet. Lilac Tortoiseshell cats can be active or quiet. If you have a Siamese Lilac Tortoiseshell cat it will be a great friend with the kids in the family since it is playful, sociable, and likes interaction.
On the other hand, a Persian Lilac Tortoiseshell cat will ask for a quiet and calm surrounding, and will be better to live with a family without children.
Grooming and Health Issues
There is not a unified formula for grooming because it will mostly depend on the cat breed you have and does not have anything to do with the color pattern in this case, Lilac Tortoiseshell. So, your grooming routine with the cat will be according to the breed’s needs.Health issues are also tightly connected to the breed and not the color pattern of the tortie, so it is highly advised to take your Lilac Tortoiseshell cat from a reputable breeder of a certain breed and as you start living with your cat, visit the vet regularly so you can prevent unwanted health issues.
