Somali Cat
The Somali Cat is a long haired descendant of the Abyssinian cat. The breed appeared spontaneously in the 1950s from Abyssinian breeding programs when a number of Abyssinian kittens were born with bottle-brush tails and long fluffy coats. The only difference between them is the fur length and therefore the amount of grooming required. Unlike most long-haired cats, Somalis shed very little excess hair. In the 1960's, however, cat fanciers began to realize the exquisite beauty of the long haired Abyssinian, and soon the Somali - named after the country bordering 'Abyssinia' - breed was born. Though more recent studies indicate that the Somali could have originated in England during the aftermath of World Wars I and II when Abyssinians had dwindled to near extinction. Breeders were forced to mix other cats, possibly carrying a long haired gene, into their Abyssinian breeding programmes. A real feature of the Somali is the tail, which has earned them the name the Feline Fox.Somalis are medium to large cats, a well-proportioned muscular body with an overall impression of alertness, intelligence and keen curiosity. Somalis have small litters of three to four kittens, which develop slowly. They reach their full size at about eighteen months of age. The coat is from two to three inches long, but is easy to care for. The Somali cat's coat comes in beautiful shades of ruddy, red, blue and fawn with a striking, bushy tail. In addition to the fluffy tail, the Somali breed features a black stripe down its back, large ears, a full ruff and breeches, contributing further to the overall "foxy" look. A quality Somali has no stripes on its body. A pet-quality Somali may show some tabby striping on its legs, tail or throat. The ticking usually causes a darker shine of color along the cat's back and on the tip of its brushy tail, and gives the cat an exotic, wild look. Somalis have the tabby "M" on their foreheads, and display pencil-strokes of darker color drawn out from the corners of their eyes. As the darker color also rims their eyes, Somalis may look as if they're wearing eye liner.
Somali cats are active, playful, intelligent, interactive, affectionate and lots of fun. Somalis captivate their owners with their incredible charm, charisma and sense of humor. Somalis seem to wake up every morning with a bursts of energy. They should be given plenty of room to run, lots of individual attention and play, and a variety of toys. Adept at opening cupboards and drawers. Many Somalis can manipulate faucets, and they love to play with water. However, they tend to be calmer and less active than the Abyssinian. Somalis are even-tempered and easy to handle, generally quiet cats, with soft voices. They communicate with human family members through soft mews and possess a charming trill. One characteristic of many Somalis is the hairdresser gene they seem to love licking and grooming peoples hair. Remember to keep her warm, the Somali is not a cat of cold climes. A true Abyssinian, she takes to the warm.
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