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A tortoiseshell cat with green eyes wears a shaggy golden lion mane costume while sitting in a leafy backyard. 19 / 23

The King of the Backyard Has Arrived, and She Is Not Amused

AI imagetortoiseshell cathalloweenlion costume

The king of the backyard has arrived, and she is not amused. A tortoiseshell cat sits in the grass wearing a big, shaggy golden lion's mane that frames her face like a sunburst. Her mottled coat of black, caramel, and orange shows through underneath, and her green eyes narrow in a stare so intense it could stop a trick-or-treater in their tracks. Behind her, a weathered wooden fence, scattered autumn leaves, a small jack-o'-lantern, and pots of mums give the yard a cozy October feel.

Tortoiseshell, or tortie, describes a coat pattern of black and orange patches swirled together, rather than a breed. Like calicos, nearly all tortoiseshell cats are female because of how the coat color genes are inherited. Many owners swear that torties have big, sassy personalities, sometimes joking about tortitude. There is no solid proof that coat color decides temperament, and each cat is an individual, but plenty of tortie lovers would agree that their cats know exactly what they want. Whatever the personality, regular play, attention, and respect for a cat's boundaries go a long way toward a happy relationship.

This little lioness clearly has opinions about her costume, and she is not afraid to share them. One quick photo, then the mane comes off, and the queen can go back to ruling the yard as herself.

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