Browse ›
A tortoiseshell kitten sits on a wooden floor draped in a white sheet with a cutout showing its face and pointed ears. 4 / 22

The Ghost in This Cozy Living Room Is Not Very Convincing

AI imagehalloweentortoiseshell kittenghost costume

Wooden floorboards, a glowing lamp, a basket of pumpkins, and a soft yellow throw on the couch make this living room feel warm and welcoming, which is exactly why the ghost in the middle of it is so unconvincing. A tortoiseshell kitten sits under a white sheet, her mottled face peeking through a cutout and her two pointy ears sticking up through the fabric. Her green-gold eyes are wide and solemn, and a tiny white paw pokes out from under the hem. A pair of food and water bowls by the window confirm this is her home turf.

Tortoiseshell cats, often called torties, have a coat that blends black and orange, sometimes in fine brindled swirls and sometimes in larger patches. Like calicos, torties are almost always female because of how coat color genes are inherited. Owners often joke about "tortitude," a reputation for being feisty, opinionated, and full of personality. There's no solid evidence that coat color determines temperament, and many torties are sweet and mellow, but the nickname has stuck because so many owners have stories to share. As with any cat, early socialization and gentle handling go a long way toward shaping a friendly adult.

This little ghost certainly has a strong presence. She hasn't moved a muscle, but somehow she's commanding the entire room.

Ghosts are supposed to drift through walls. This one would rather sit right here and be admired.

More from this collection

All 22 →
A brown tabby kitten in a plush hot dog bun costume with a mustard squiggle sits on a leafy lawn near a house.Out on the Backyard Lawn, a Tabby Kitten Has Become a Hot DogA fluffy silver tabby kitten in a green dinosaur costume with soft spikes crouches on a sidewalk near a brick house.A Fluffy Silver Dinosaur Is Creeping Down the Sidewalk on the Hunt
A fluffy white kitten sits on a woven ottoman under a pennant garland of alternating orange and black triangle flags.The Halloween Garland Went Up, and a Snowy White Kitten Took the Spot BelowA fluffy white kitten sits on a windowsill as children dressed as a ghost, a pumpkin, and a dragon walk past outside.A Little Halloween Parade Passed the Window. The Kitten Turned Around.A silver tabby kitten with golden eyes sits on a concrete walk beside a carved jack-o'-lantern lit from inside at dusk.The Jack-o'-Lantern by the Walk Came to Life at Dusk. Someone Sat Down Beside It.A brown spotted Bengal kitten sniffs pumpkin seeds and chunks of orange pumpkin scattered across a kitchen table.Pumpkin Carving Night Left the Table a Mess. Then the Inspector Climbed Up.