A calico cat is a domestic cat known for its distinctive coat pattern, which features patches of three colors: white, black, and orange. The combination of these colors can vary, leading to different appearances, but the typical calico has a mix of these hues in a random pattern. Calico cats are often female, with about 99% of them belonging to that gender due to genetic factors. The unique coloration of calico cats is linked to the X chromosome. Female cats have two X chromosomes, allowing for the expression of both black and orange fur, while male cats usually have one X chromosome and are typically either black or orange. This makes male calico cats quite rare.