Friendly and attentive, this fine-boned cat is playful and energetic and has an attractive ticked coat.
Named after its native home (now Sri Lanka), the Ceylon was imported to Italy in the early 1980s, where the breed was developed. It is now found worldwide and, if not as widely known as other breeds, has achieved some popularity in Italy.
With its beautiful ticked coat and sandy coloring, this cat is similar in appearance to the Abyssinian, although the two are not related. The Ceylon has a distinctive pattern on its forehead called the “cobra” mark, which is much valued. Breeders praise the cat’s friendly nature and its responsiveness to attention.
Origin: Sri Lanka, 1980s
Breed registries: None
Weight range: 9–17lb (4–7.5kg)
Grooming: Weekly
Colors and patterns: Manila (black-ticked on sandy-gold ground color); various other markings and tickings, including blue, red, cream, and tortoiseshell.