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Savannah Cat

savannah cat and children
F2 Savannah on leash with children © Kathrin Stucki


The photograph above is by Kathrin Stucki who runs A1 Savannahs. There is a link at the bottom of this page to her cattery. It's really nice to see a photograph like this as it is both charming and it helps us to know more about this beautiful cat, mainly in terms of size and amazing appearance. An F2 Savannah is two generations from the wild Serval.


savannah cat savannah cat savannah cat savannah cat
Savannah Cat photos - Copyright Helmi Flick. Click on the thumbnails. The cat on the far right in this line up illustrates a page on the Warrior Cats Series, called Warrior Cat.


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Introduction

savannah cat
Photo of kitten
© Kathrin Stucki
The Savannah Cat is a striking combination of a domestic cat and a wild African Serval producing a stunning appearance. I am talking here of the USA breed. There may have been a cat breed by the same name in the UK. Apparently the breed was a cross between the Bengal and Siamese and therefore an entirely different breed. However Kathrin Stucki a Savannah cat breeder of extensive knowledge on this breed very much doubts the existence of the UK Savannah.

 The USA breed's creation is based on the same principles as for the Bengal Cat - crossing, in this case, an African wild cat called the Serval and a domestic cat. As you might know the Bengal cat is a cross between the Asian Leopard cat and a domestic cat. The goal in both instances is to develop a domestic cat with the looks of an exotic wild cat. This meets peoples' interest in exotic wild cats (and therefore their desire to "own" one) and the more practical aspect of living with one. As a result this cat must be totally unchallenging (well behaved with people and pets). Breed standards demand this. If you go to a cat show you see some amazingly well behaved cats.

The Serval

serval
Serval Cat
The main habitat of the African Serval is the Savanna hence the name of this breed. It is worth looking at the Serval to help understand the Savannah. The Serval is highly specialized for catching rodents. The cat lives in the Savanna landscape, which is an open lanscape with tall grass. The Serval has long legs, long neck, small head and large pricked forward ears.

These characteristics have been developed to catch its prey in long grass. For example, when stalking, the Serval will pause and listen for 15 minutes with her eyes closed. Her long legs provide speed (think of the Cheetah - a similar body conformation. However the Serval has longer legs to body size than the Cheetah) and the ability to jump very high and pounce down on the prey. The impact on landing on the prey kills it. The elongated neck and body allow for a high vantage point.

Savannah appearance

savannah cat
Savannah Cat - copyright Helmi Flick - click for larger image
It is not surprising then that the most noticeable feature to me of the Savannah is both the striking coat pattern and the leg length and size of the cat. This breed is currently the largest domestic hybrid cat. The Savannah cat has long legs and a slender body that normally makes her substantially larger than the average sized domestic cat. Their long flexible body results in the particularly noticeable bend in the spine when they sit (see Helmi's photograph opposite).

Their weight depends to a certain extent on how far the generation is from the wild Serval, the breeding program and whether male or female. Select Exotics, an established Savannah cat breeder say that their F1 (one removed from the wild cat) males weigh between 20-27 lbs. Remember that the average cat weighs 8-10 lbs; this gives a clue as to the size. Remember too that these figures come from this cattery.

Their cats may be heavier than the average; F2s weigh 17-30 lbs, F3s between 15 and 22 lbs. So, they are a big leggy and therefore athletic cat. Long legs will give a lot of leverage for jumping and running. The Bengal is also athletic and a fast runner. As to the coat pattern and appearance, breeders will have as an objective a "wild" appearance and impressive markings/patterns. In order to achieve this breeders will develop the breed by crossing with cats of a suitable type such as the Bengal, which has impressive coat patterns and texture.





savannah cat up a tree
Savannah Cat © Kathrin Stucki - A1 Savannahs

Origin

savannah cat
Savannah Cat - copyright Helmi Flick
The breed originates from Judee Frank's decision to mate a Serval with a domestic cat in 1986. This is about 10 years beyond the creation of the Bengal breed (1975). Patrick Kelly took up the baton and developed the breed after buying one of Frank's Savannah kittens in 1989. Kelly teamed up with a Serval breeder Joyce Scroufe and together they founded the Savannah breed.

There was (an indeed there still is) some resistance to breeding in this way (crossing wild with domestic - remember the CFA don't register the Bengal or Savannah) but in due course and by a narrow margin of agreement at the TICA the breed was registered in 2000.

This is still a very rare breed and from what I have read people who adopt a Savannah cat must be prepared to take on the responsibility as they are, it seems, more demanding that the average domestic cat.

Legalities

Most states in the US regard the Savannah cat as a domestic cat. New York State doesn't although 5 generations from the wild Serval are allowed in NY State but not NY city. Other states restrict ownership of hybrid cats (HI, MA, and GA). As for the UK I shall direct you to my article of the position regarding the Bengal cat as the same rule applies to the Savannah. Note: legislation is constantly changing so check the position. Your breeder should be able to help.

Character

savannah cat
Savannah cat - copyright Helmi Flick - click for larger image
I would like to refer to the Bengal cat as they have similar characters (e.g. they both like water).

There is some wild blood in a Savannah, obviously (The F3 generation is 12.5% Serval). This shows itself in an assertive and active cat.

They are trainable and can play fetch - dog like indicating a high level of intelligence. Combine this with a very athletic body (great jumpers - see above for the origin of this skill) and you have a cat that requires your input.

Other notable characteristics:
  • they take on the role of alpha pet (the boss)
  • they get on with other pets including dogs
  • very intelligent and a good personality
  • they have plenty of energy - do you? :-)
  • they have their own brand of "hiss", apparently quite noticeable. A hiss mimics a snake's hiss and is thought to originate from the snake hiss over the period of the cat's evolution. The cat is pretending to be a snake and other animals know that that is to be avoided.
savannah cat and serval cat together
Mary and Callie, Savannah cat and Serval at a show photo
copyright Helmi Flick and brilliantly cat wrangled by Ken Flick


Price/Breeding

Brigitte Cowell of Kirembo Savannahs says that up to and including F3 level, males are sterile. These cats are sold as pets. At F4 level some males have been found to be fertile. At the F5 level about 90% of males are found to be fertile, Brigitte says. The females are sold to other breeders and are on that basis more valuable. At Oct 2007 an F3 (12.5% Serval) is priced at $1,500 - $3,000 and an F3, F4 & F5 breeder at $3,000 - $5,000.

Savannah Cat
Savannah Cat photo © Helmi Flick

Now that there are more lower generation Savannahs, many have been bred back to the Serval and so the Serval percentage of an F1 can range from 50% up to over 75% in some rare cases As the Savannah is a relatively new breed it is easy to research a particular cat's pedigree. Most cats are only 4-5 generations from the first Serval/domestic hybrid. As a result the breeder will know what outcrosses have been used at each generation. As the males are sterile outcrosses had to take place. As there are more fertile F4-5 males around, it is now possible to breed without outcrossing.

Caution

Make sure that you get what you buy and think hard before buying. Some Savannahs are Servals (perhaps the seller couldn't cope) and some Savannahs are not Savannahs at all. Do some research and ask questions.

For example, study the large format photographs on this website (a lot of the photographs on this page link to large images) and thoroughly understand the appearance.

Savannah Cat
Savannah Cat photo © Helmi Flick

Breeders

A1 Savannahs
Martin & Kathrin Stucki, Ponca City, Oklahoma, USA - Raymond, New Hampshire, USA. The Original Founder of the Savannah Breed.

Kirembo Savannahs
Located in California, USA. This is a good website. Brigitte Cowell runs the cattery.

Click Rescue Centers to see information about rescuing this cat.

Sources:
  • Wikipedia
  • Catwatching
  • Select Exotics
  • Messybeast
  • Kirembo Savannahs - Brigitte Cowell