The Somali is the long haired version of the Abyssinian. The name is taken from the country in Africa, Somalia. Unlike the Siberian Forest Cat, these cats do not come from the country that their name was taken from. They were known as the "poor relation of the Abyssinian and were ignored when born in an Abyssinian litter. In the 1960's an American breeder began breeding the 'semi-longhaired Abyssinians'". Somalis arrived in mainland Europe in the 1970's and in the 1980's a pair was taken to England, where they are now a popular breed.
The Somali is a companionable cat and will like a lot of human attention. Females are not always tolerant to other animals and do not mix well with other breeds. They are firm and muscular; a medium sized cat with long legs and large, tufted ears. It's coat is dense and soft. It can be kept looking good with grooming, and is not prone to matting. Somalis will meow occasionally, but usually keep quiet. They are high in energy and love to climb.
Somali kittens are born with dark coats and will lighten as they grow older. It can take as long as two years for the final coat color to come in. The most common coat color is the Usual or Ruddy. It has a reddish brown base and black ticking. Their feet and backs of their hind legs are always black. Other colors are Sorrel, Blue, Fawn, Silver, Chocolate, Lilac and Torties. Their eyes may be green, amber or hazel.