The Somali
is a medium sized cat with an extremely elegant feline appearance and very soft
curves. His body is muscular and agile. Its coat, composed of medium-long
hairs, is also remarkable for its beauty in addition to being soft and fine.
Not only does the Somali have an attractive physique, but it is also a cat with
a crunchy personality. He is intelligent, playful and very cuddly.
Size: 30 cm
to 35 cm
Weight: 3.5
kg to 5.5 kg
Hair :
medium-long
Color : all
Life
expectancy: 15 years
Gestation
period: 65 days
Description
and characteristics of Somali
The main
characteristic of the Somali that we notice immediately is its beautiful fur
composed of medium-long, thick and dense hair. Its tail, also covered with hair,
is long and the Somali wears it in plume. Its shiny coat, which, if it can be
many colors, is the most common "hare" color, in reference to the
color of this animal or "Sorrel", color of cinnamon. Like its cousin
the Abyssinian, the Somali's coat has a unique characteristic called
"ticking": at least three bands of different colors on each hair with
dark tips. The Somali has large, recognizable yellow, green or hazelnut-colored
eyes, as well as erect ears on its head. Its body is slender and muscular on
long slender legs.
Origin
of the Somali
The Somali,
a semi-long-haired cat, appeared in the midst of litters of Abyssinians,
short-haired cats, which belong to one of the oldest breeds of domestic cats.
It is an American breeder named Evelyne Mague who noticed these different cats
and started her own selection. In 1972, the first litter with 100% Somalis was
born in the United States. The Somali arrived in France in 1979.
Somali
Character and Behaviour - Who is it for?
The Somali
has the same character as the Abyssinian. They are lively, athletic and playful
and need to exercise. It is a cat extremely attached to its master who likes to
sit on his knees, rub himself against his face or snuggle in his neck.
Affection and attention are the main qualities that the owner of a Somali must
have. He appreciates being the center of attention more than anything else and
hates loneliness. But on the other hand, the Somali is independent and even
elusive. It is also a particularly intelligent cat, sociable with people who
are strangers to its family and with its fellow cats.
How to take
care of your Somali: its needs
The Somali
is not a cat that likes to stay locked up. This is certainly a consequence of
his hunting instinct. It is preferable to have a garden if one wants to
accommodate a Somali.
On the
maintenance side, the beautiful fur of this cat requires brushing twice a week
and every day during the moulting period.
Food for
Somali
Somali is
not difficult to feed. He eats meat, vegetables and fruits. But it is a big
eater. It is therefore necessary to monitor its rations and adapt its diet to
its physical exercise to avoid overweight.
Somali's
health
Somali does
not pose any particular health problems and is not prone to disease. They have
great physical stamina. It is only necessary to protect it from the cold to
which it is sensitive.
Price of
a Somali kitten
The price
of a Somali kitten will depend on the sex, the pedigree of the parents, the
conformity to the breed standards, etc.
Price of a
Somali male: 750 to 1 850€.
Price of a
Somali female : 750 to 1 850€.