Cats can be found worldwide, from the snowy tundra to the tropical jungle. Depending on what zip code the feline is in, it may have long luxurious fur for braving harsh winters like the Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest cats, or no fur at all like the Egyptian Sphinx. The Somali cat is breathtakingly beautiful with medium-long fur and amazing colors throughout its fur and eyes. If you are a fan of the Abyssinian cat, like I am, the Somali cat is a medium-long-haired version of them.
Meet the Enchanting Somali Cat
The Somali cat is not a breed that many outside the cat world know about. That being said, they are incredibly rare in the U.S. Sometimes, these fluffy cats are called “fox cats” or “long-haired Abyssinian cats,” and it is no big secret why. The lovely tail of this magnificent beast is longer than the average cat’s tail and poofy like a fox’s tail.
Appearance
Some cats are cute and elegant, while others might be a lovable mess of missing teeth and notched ears. The Somali cat is a supermodel amongst other cat breeds. This gorgeous creature comes equipped with huge, almond-shaped, and often green eyes. They are not large cats, but will still be the center of attention whenever possible. Truthfully, aren’t all cats?
Their perfectly triangular ears are just another appearance quirk these adorable cats show off. They are cute but also come in handy when a predator (you, sorry) walks down the hallway unbeknownst to you, as the small cat lunges out at you and ends the spectacle with the zoomies, of course.
Somali cats are available in many different colors and patterns, though “ruddy” is the most popular. Since these are super rare cats, finding any color Somali cat to breed is also tricky. They also have an extra furry secret: Somali cats are super soft, even softer than your average cat. A combination of perfectly lined-up qualities and genetics helps make that possible.
Another furry secret is that each piece of cat hair contains between 4 and 20 different colors, which help them blend into the brush or your living room.
Somali Cat Colors and Patterns
Ruddy – a beautiful golden brown that the Somali cat is known for.
Lilac – most of the fur is a light sand beige color or closer to the color of oatmeal, with a darker color on the tips of some hairs. The cat has a light purple or lilac shade to its coat.
Tortoiseshell – the combination of two colors: burnt orange and black or dark brown, creating a mosaic effect as the colored puzzle piece on the cat’s fur is matched up.
Sorrel – another commonly seen fur color in the Somali cats. It’s reddish orange like the sun when it is setting for the day.
Silver – overall, the cat has a silver base color with the tips being a darker gray shade.
Blue is a light grayish oatmeal color for a base coat with a lovely bluish hue over the fur. The coat color gets its name from the dark tipping on the lighter hairs, which gives it a slight bluish tint.
Red – a dark sorrel or burnt orange shade.
Cream – an offwhite base fur color with a pinkish apricot glazing on the tips of the fur.
Fawn – a dark blond color with a light brown or dark tan tipping on the upper fur along their backs.
Chocolate—The legs, tail, and back are rich chocolate brown, with a lighter beige or cream belly.
An Ancient Ancestor
In ancient Egypt, the paintings on the wall depict a feline form. The Abyssinian cat breed is considered a descendant of the wild African cats. Many historic paintings were found in tombs, where some Egyptian royalty were buried with their cats.
Back then, cats were regarded as royalty and worshipped. Sadly, this cat myth was just too funny to be real. The Abyssinian cat comes from coastal areas near Southeast Asia and along the Indian Ocean, not near Egypt. Maybe this is where they get the idea that we are their servants.
The Somali cat has existed since the 1940s, when Janet Robertson decided to export some of these amazing cats while in Ethiopia. She sent them to America, New Zealand, and Australia to experiment with the breed’s genetics by doing what breeders do best. A short time after the first three cats were sent off, they would go on to set the standards and define the Somali breed going forward.
Overall, the cats still solidly drum up Abyssinian vibes with their exotic looks. The most significant difference is their coats; Somali cats have medium to long fur, a long tail, and feather-like fur. Their fur is exceptionally poofy, which is what sets the breed apart from its ancestors. Depending on the long-haired cat that the Abyssinian bred with looked like, its fur can be extremely long or medium, with a large, plume-like tail.
Somali Cat Size
The size of the Somali cat is not unlike the Abyssinian cat’s size. Depending on what the Abyssinian cat was bred with to create the Somali cat, they might be larger or smaller than the cat from which they get most of their looks. On average, the Somali cat weighs 5.5 to 13 pounds, slightly less than the usual breeds. Some mixed domesticated cats have lived to be in their 20s, so it isn’t entirely unheard of.
Lifespan
Adopting a Somali cat can cost up to $3,000. Source: Canva
The striking Somali cat has a lifespan similar to that of any other cat breed. With proper care, these cats can live to be as old as 20 years. Since they do not have any genetic health issues or ailments they are more susceptible to, they are set up for a long, happy life.
