Somali cats look like their Abyssinian cousins: long, lean and elegant -- but with longer hair. It's hardly any wonder that the ancient Egyptians loved them and worshiped them as gods. Longer-haired kittens naturally occur from time to time in Abyssinian litters, and eventually these were bred into a separate breed, which was given the name Somali. Like the Abyssinian, the Somali has a ticked coat (each hair is made up of bands of color ranging from light tan to black). Their fur is wild-looking, much like that of a rabbit or a squirrel; kittens are born dark, their fur taking as much as two years to acquire the ticking. Their coats can be ruddy, red, blue or fawn, and the females produce small litters, only one to three kittens in each. Somalis frequently produce shorthaired kittens. Somalis have lean, muscular bodies, neither Oriental like the Siamese nor chunky like the Persian. Their heads are a modified-wedge shape with large ears and almond-shaped eyes (figure A). They generally weigh between six and 10 pounds; the males are usually larger than the females. They make demanding pets who tend to adore their humans. Like most cats, they shed and need to be groomed regularly. The breed is hardy, exhibiting few common health problems, and they can live as long as 20 years. Alert, lively and playful (figure B), they love to tease. Frequently compared to monkeys because of the dexterity with which they use their paws, they will often try to imitate humans' manual actions such as turning doorknobs. Web site resources for Somali cats: Breed Profile from Cat Fancier's Association Somali Cat Club of America, Inc. Frequently Asked Questions on Somali Cats
RESOURCES :
Somali Cats
Model: 0812095839
Author: Karen Leigh Davis
Barrons Educational Series
September 1996
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