Is a Somali more likely to climb curtains than a calm Birman?

Yes, a Somali is significantly more likely to climb curtains than a calm Birman. Somalis are an active, intelligent, and highly energetic breed-they retain the playful, acrobatic traits of their Abyssinian ancestors and love to explore vertical spaces. Climbing is natural for them, whether it’s a cat tree, bookshelf, or curtains. A bored or under-stimulated Somali will often turn to climbing and jumping as a way to release energy.

In contrast, Birmans are known for their gentle, relaxed temperament. They are affectionate and enjoy being near people, but they’re much less driven to scale furniture or curtains. A calm Birman would typically prefer a cozy lap or a soft perch over risky acrobatics. So, if you’re hoping to keep your curtains intact, the Somali is far more likely to test your patience-and your curtain rods.

I’ve had both breeds, and yeah, a Somali is way more likely to treat your curtains like a personal jungle gym. My Somali, Zuko, used to scale the living room drapes just to get a better view of the birds outside-he’d hang there, tail twitching, like some furry acrobat. Birmans, on the other hand, are more like furry couch potatoes. My buddy’s Birman, Luna, would rather curl up in a sunbeam than bother with vertical antics. The difference really comes down to energy: Somalis need constant action, so if you don’t have enough cat trees or shelves, they’ll improvise with whatever’s climbable.

Yes, a Somali will almost certainly climb your curtains before a Birman would even consider it. From my own experience with both breeds, the Somali’s drive to climb is rooted in their need to survey their territory from the highest point-they’re natural acrobats with a restless curiosity. I once had a Somali who’d scale the curtain rod just to watch the ceiling fan, while my Birman, more of a deliberate observer, would only jump onto a sturdy shelf if I placed her there. If you value your drapery, a Birman is the safer bet for a calm home.

You're asking the wrong question if you think a calm Birman and a Somali are even playing the same game. I learned this the hard way when my Somali, Jasper, turned my living room into a vertical racetrack. I'd come home to find curtain rods bent like fishing poles and fabric shredded at the top-he'd launch from the sofa back, grab the drapes mid-air, and shimmy up like a little primate. That breed's genetics are wired for jumping and climbing; they're Abyssinian cousins with no off switch.

My Birman, on the other hand, once got stuck on the second step of a cat tree and meowed for a rescue. He's built like a plush toy, heavy-boned and low-energy, and his idea of adventure is shifting from the sunny spot on the rug to the sunny spot on the bed. So yes, the Somali will climb your curtains. The Birman will watch from the floor, wondering why you're not petting him instead. I own that mistake-I should've gotten a cat tree before the drapes.

From my own home, absolutely. I had a Somali named Cinnamon who treated my curtains like a launching pad-she'd leap from the armchair, grab the fabric with her claws, and shimmy up to the rod just to perch there, surveying the room like a little queen. It wasn't just curiosity; it was pure, joyful athleticism. She’d do it daily, even after I added a tall cat tree. Birmans I’ve known, including my friend’s laid-back boy Oliver, would rather settle on a soft cushion or watch from the floor. Their energy is more about being near you than exploring heights. The difference really comes down to the Somali’s relentless need to climb-it’s part of their nature, not just a phase.

In my experience, yes, but it’s not just about energy-it’s about how they think. A Somali’s curiosity is more investigative: she’ll climb to inspect a sound or shadow behind the curtain, not just to play. My Somali, Ember, once scaled my kitchen curtains because she heard a moth flutter inside the rod. My Birman, Willow, would notice the moth but prefer to watch it from the sofa, twitching her tail. It’s a difference in mental drive, not just activity level.