In a study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, experts used an online survey to test a common assumptionthat tortoiseshell cats are more fiery tempered that other coloured cats. The survey used results from 1,274 cat owners. They responded to a questionnaire which asked them to list the frequency and degree of their cat’s aggressive behaviour during everyday interactions, when handled and when taken to the vets. The answers gave each cat a rating on an aggression scale. The scientists felt that the results confirmed that tortoiseshells along with black and white and grey and white cats were more frequently aggressive. The study also found that black and white cats were particularly aggressive when handled; grey and white cats had a ‘hissy fit’ when they visited a vet, and the torties were recorded as more stroppy in everyday interactions with humans.