Savannah cat
The Savannah cat is a pedigreed cat breed with a documented history and breed standard. The Savannah cat comes from United States, and typically weighs 18 kg. Individual Savannah cats vary, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee.
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- United States
- Weight
- 18 kg (40 lb) or more, and in th
About the Savannah cat
The Savannah cat is a hybrid breed originating from the United States, known for its tall and slim build. It combines the physical characteristics of a domestic cat with those of a serval.
Coat
The coat of a Savannah should have a spotted pattern, the only pattern accepted by the TICA breed standard. The standard also allows four colours: black spotted tabby (cool to warm brown, tan or gold with black or dark brown spots), black silver spotted tabby (silver coat with black or dark grey spots), black (black with black spots), and black smoke (black-tipped silver with black spots). Other, non-standard patterns and colours can occur, including rosettes, marble, "snow" ( point ), blue, cinnamon, chocolate, lilac (lavender) and other diluted colours derived from domestic sources of cat coat genetics .
Overview
The Savannah is a breed of hybrid cat developed in the late 20th century from hybridisation of a serval ( Leptailurus serval ) with a domestic cat ( Felis catus ). This hybridisation typically produces large and lean offspring, with the serval''s characteristic large ears and markedly black spotted coats. F1 and F2 male Savannahs can be very large, and in 2016 an F2 male attained a world record for tallest cat at 48.4 centimetres (19.1 in) . However, show-eligible F4–F5 cats range from 5.0–8.2 kilograms (11.0–18.1 lb) , and therefore comparable in size to other large domestic cat breeds such as the Maine Coon or Norwegian Forest cat .
Health
Savannah cats are more likely to develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) than other domestic breeds. The Savannah Cat Association recommends cats are screened for HCM, as well as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK-Def), which can cause blindness and anaemia , respectively. Savannahs and servals have similar anaesthesia requirements to other domestic cat breeds, including hybrids; ketamine , medetomidine , butorphanol , and atipamezole antagonist have all been found safe for use in servals.
History
On 7 April 1986, Judee Frank hybridised a male serval, belonging to Suzi Wood, with a Siamese domestic cat to produce the first Savannah cat, a female named Savannah. That first Savannah was bred with a Turkish Angora male and gave birth to viable F2 kittens in April 1989. In 1996, Patrick Kelley and Joyce Sroufe wrote the original version of the Savannah breed standard and presented it to the board of The International Cat Association (TICA). In 2001, the board accepted it as a new registered breed, and in May 2012, TICA granted the Savannah with championship status (for F4 and later generations).
Behaviour
Many Savannah cats do not fear water, and will play in or even immerse themselves in water. Savannahs, particularly the earlier generations, can sometimes exhibit undesirable wild or territorial behaviours , and in males, aggression and marking . Problems with litter box training are a common cause of owners abandoning or surrendering them to rescue centres .
Appearance
The Savannah''s tall and slim build give them the appearance of greater size than their actual weight. Size is very dependent on generation and sex. Early (F1–F2) generations are usually the largest due to the stronger genetic influence of the African serval ancestor, usually weighing 4.5–11 kg (9.9–24.3 lb) , although there is considerable financial incentive for breeders to produce F1 cats as large as possible; some are the size of dogs and can weigh 18 kg (40 lb) or more, and in the US can fetch very high prices. Later-generation Savannahs are comparable in size to other large domestic cat breeds, weighing usually between 3.5–8.2 kg (7.7–18.1 lb) . Like most cat breeds, males tend to be larger than females, and as with other hybrid cat breeds such as the Chausie and Bengal , most F1 Savannah cats will possess many of the exotic traits from the wild (serval) ancestor, which recede in later generations.
Outcrossing
The Savannah breed attained TICA championship status in 2012, which means domestic outcrosses are no longer permitted. Since F1–F4 Savannah males are sterile, breeders use F5 males to produce the F2 generation with a F1 female. By 2012 most breeders were performing Savannah-to-Savannah pairings, since many fertile F5 Savannah males were by then available for stud, and outcrosses were considered unnecessary and undesirable. Domestic outcrosses from the early days in the 1990s greatly impacted the breed''s development in both desired and non-desired traits. Outcrosses previously permitted for the TICA Savannah breed standard before 2012 were the Egyptian Mau , Ocicat , Oriental Shorthair , and Domestic Shorthair . Outcrosses not permitted included the Bengal and Maine Coon , which brought many unwanted genetic influences.
Breed information on this page is based on the Wikipedia article on the Savannah cat, supplemented with additional research. Reviewed for accuracy.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key characteristics of the Savannah cat?
The Savannah cat is a hybrid breed with a serval's distinctive features, including large ears and a black spotted coat. They are typically large and lean, with males reaching exceptional sizes. Their coats can vary in pattern and color, and they often have a striking appearance.
Is the Savannah cat a good family cat?
Savannahs are often described as energetic and demanding, requiring a lot of attention and stimulation. They may not be the best fit for families with young children, as they can be fragile and may not tolerate rough handling. Experienced cat owners with time to devote to their pets may find them suitable.
What health problems do Savannah cats have?
Savannah cats are prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK-Def). Responsible breeders screen their cats for these conditions, and owners should work with a reputable breeder to minimize the risk of inherited health issues.
How much does a Savannah cat kitten cost?
The cost of a Savannah cat kitten can vary greatly, depending on factors such as bloodline, size, and breeder reputation. Prices can range from $1,000 to $10,000 or more, with some rare or high-end kittens selling for even higher prices.
Where do Savannah cats come from?
The Savannah cat comes from United States. The breed developed there before spreading to cat fanciers worldwide.