The Somali cat is a long-haired Abyssinian with a mysterious genetic origin

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Often called the Fox Cat for its sleek body and bushy tail, the Somali is a pedigree breed descended from the Abyssinian. Though they appear as long-haired variants of their ancestors, the exact history of how this recessive trait entered the Abyssinian gene pool remains a persistent mystery.

The emergence of the Somali cat was initially met with resistance. In the 1950s and 1960s, breeders of Abyssinians were often appalled when long-haired kittens appeared in their litters, viewing the trait as an unwanted deviation. While many attempted to purge the gene from their lines, others were intrigued by the unique appearance. Early pioneers like Mary Mailing and Evelyn Mague began actively breeding these long-haired individuals, eventually connecting with a network of international breeders who had been quietly working with similar cats for years.

The breed's name is a deliberate nod to the geography of its origins. Because the Somali is essentially a long-haired Abyssinian, breeder Evelyn Mague chose the name to reflect the proximity of Somalia to Ethiopia, formerly known as Abyssinia. She viewed the genetic distinction between the two cats as a human construct, much like the political borders that separate the two African nations. This philosophical approach helped formalize the breed, leading to the founding of the International Somali Cat Club in 1975 and subsequent championship status with the CFA in 1979.

Today, the Somali is recognized for its distinctive ticked coat, where each individual hair features four to twenty different colors. Despite their striking appearance and energetic, social temperament, they remain a relatively rare breed. In 2024, statistics from the global registry FIFe placed the Somali at 25th in popularity among 54 breeds, accounting for only 0.2% of total registered kittens. Beyond their physical traits, the breed is known to be susceptible to certain hereditary conditions, including pyruvate kinase deficiency and retinal degeneration, which are also observed in related breeds like the Abyssinian.

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