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The Somali cat is an absolutely gorgeous feline with a bushy tail, expressive eyes, and tall, pointed ears. In fact, they’re often compared to foxes, and their look gives them the appearance of a truly wild cat.
These cats were actually produced out of a recessive gene found in Abyssinians. Many people believe that Somalis come from Somalia. However, this isn’t true, as the breed originates in the United States. Somalia borders Abyssinia, which is modern-day Ethiopia. The name of the breed is a unique interpretation of the Ethiopian-Somali conflict.
While they closely resemble Abyssinians, Somalis are definitely a distinct breed, and that’s especially evident in their varied colors. In the list that follows, we’ll take a closer look at the colors and patterns that help these elegant cats stand out from the crowd.
Somali Cat Official Colors and Patterns
Somalis come in an astounding variety of colors and patterns—28 reported colors in all! However, as far as breed standards are concerned, there are only four official colors for this breed. This is important if you wish to adopt a pet that you plan on entering in shows.
Four common colors make up the official representation of any Somali’s coat. These are recognized over the other 24 patterns, and you’ll find them on show quality Somalis.
It’s also important to understand that each hair has quite a bit of color to it. The individual strands have between 6 and 24 bands of alternating color from root to tip, making them both distinctive and beautiful. This is known as “ticking”, a phenomenon which is slow to develop in Somalis, however, is part of their signature appearance.
The Most Common Somali Cat Colors
1. Ruddy
Ruddy is so common that it’s often referred to as the “usual” pattern. The ruddy pattern is golden brown ticked with black, with the black being more distinct around the face and tail. The fur is often darker along the spine as well.
2. Cinnamon
The cinnamon Somali has a ground color and glowing red coat ticked with chocolate-brown hues. Their tail is tipped with chocolate brown. Their nose is rosy pink. Their paw pads are pink, with chocolate brown between the toes, extending slightly beyond the paws.
3. Blue
You’d be forgiven for assuming that blue Somalis are actually gray, as they definitely have a darker tint about them. If you study the individual hairs, though, you’ll see where the name comes from. They also have a base coat that’s usually a lighter shade of oatmeal.
4. Fawn
Fawns are blonde cats through and through. The top portion of the coat is usually a deeper beige, which then fades to a lighter, sandy color toward the belly and legs. Like sorrels, fawns usually have bright pink noses that immediately attract your gaze.
Other Common Somali Cat Colors
Beyond the “big four” colors, there are around 24 other shades and combinations that can be found on Somalis. Many of these are simply combinations of the basic colors with less common ones.
As mentioned previously, not every combination is recognized by breeders’ organizations, so if you’re hoping to show your Somali someday, it helps to know whether you’ll even be allowed in the door.
5. Chocolate
Chocolate Somalis usually have a darker brown coloring on their backs, with the shade transitioning to a softer apricot base on the stomach. You may also find that the darker coloring extends to the legs and tail.
6. Lilac
Lilac Somalis closely resemble blue Somalis, although they have more of a purplish tint to them. They also have a darker base, but it’s still close to oatmeal.
7. Red
Red Somalis are basically a darker version of their cinnamon counterparts. They tend to have deep red coats laid over a softer red base coat, with bright pink noses offering a hint of contrast.
8. Cream
If you like a paler cat, then you’ll love cream Somalis. These animals have white base coats with apricot on top, giving them a rich glow. They resemble a fawn-colored Somali.
9. Tortie
Torties are tortoiseshell cats, which means they have a mix of two colors on their bodies, neither of which can be white. These colors can be mixed randomly over their bodies (called a “mosaic” tortie) or split evenly across their body (known as a “chimera” tortie). You can find several different types of tortie Somalis, including usual-tortie, sorrel-tortie, blue-tortie, fawn-tortie, chocolate-tortie, and lilac-tortie.
Conclusion
Somalis come in so many colors and combinations, so you’re certain to find one that appeals to you. Even better, once they draw you in with their gorgeous appearance, you’ll fall in love with their sophisticated personalities.
In fact, the hardest part will likely be deciding on which coat pattern to bring home, so basically, you’re going to need to adopt 28 different colored Somalis.
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Featured Image Credit: Nataliya Kuznetsova, Shutterstock
