Savannah cat

Introduction

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, very much doubts the existence of the UK Savannah.

Photo of kitten © Kathrin Stucki

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

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.

Serval cat published under Wikimedia® creative commons license license = Attribution-ShareAlike License

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, a long neck, a 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 might 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 - 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. They are, then, 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 and patterns. In order to achieve this breeders develop the breed by crossing with cats of a suitable type, which has impressive coat patterns and texture.

Under TICA breed standard, ocelli are a desirable characteristic. Ocelli are the white markings that look like eyes on the back of the ears. These are designed to protect the cat when threatened. A cat's ears flatten and the backs of the ears face forward presenting two white, eye-like, spots. This would confuse and intimidate the other animal.

Or they serve to communicate the cat's emotional state to other cats (src: Wikipedia®). The legs are long and slender providing great leverage for those high (up to 8 feet) vertical jumps. In some cats you'll see the black tear markings running from the corner of the eye and down along the nose (see the A1 Supremes boy above for example). Perhaps this form of marking is best known in the cheetah. (see cheetah habitat)

Savannah Cat photo ©copyright Kathrin Stucki - A1 Savannahs

Update 2-6-09: See some of Kathrin Stucki's wonderful photographs of an F2 Savannah cat: Kathrin Stucki A1 Savannahs Photos.

Savannah Cat Videos

These short videos are designed to give visitors the opportunity to see Serval, F1, F2, F4 and F5 Savannah cats.  I think that these short videos can be more informative than still photographs. These are HD videos. You can see them in large format (1280 x 720 pixels) on this page on YouTube (when you get to the page play the video and click on HD).

Origin

Savannah cat photo ©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 was a relatively rare breed. However times change. However, from what I have read people who adopt a Savannah cat must be prepared to take on a little added responsibility as they are a bit more demanding that the average domestic cat. The Savannah cat, though, is rapidly becoming an increasingly popular breed (claimed 22,000 as at 2001 - Wikipedia). A1 Savannahs are the leading Savannah breeder and they report (at May 2009) that they are having a good year. They entertain prospective buyers from all over the world and have had constructed a guest house to accomodate them.

Legalities

It is important to check the legality of owning a Savannah cat where you live. Most states in the US regard the Savannah cat as a domestic cat in following federal and United States Department of Agriculture advice. 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 (Alaska, Iowa, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Georgia).

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.

In the UK the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which reflects the European Union (EU) European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, promotes animal welfare as well as being the relevant crimimal legislation in respect of animal cruelty (e.g. causing unecessary suffering). For a person responsible for a Savannah cat, for example, the Act creates an offence of failing to meet the needs of an animal as required by good practice. [Note: the UK is not a party to the treaty mentioned above].

There has been considerable debate in Australia about the importation of breeding Savannah cats. It was deemed illegal to import them. See updates.

In Alaska the Savannah cat is banned after some confusion about the interpretation of the law: Savannah cat banned from Alaska [link].

There has been an ongoing debate about the difference between an Ashera GD and a Savannah cat [link].

One last point. The law is constantly evolving. It is sensible therefore to check. The information above is correct to the best of my knowledge at early 2008.

Character

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). In fact Kathrin Stucki (see the video below at the bottom of the video section) mentions this characteristic in her introductory video. She and Martin live with F2 Savannahs ansd she mentions that they like to join her in the shower or bath even (play with the bubbles!).

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. F1s have about 53% Serval in them.

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 love to play and romp around. This may translate into damaging the odd thing but plenty of toys and playmates resolves this. There athletic rangy and flexible build make them great jumpers after their ancestor the Serval who catches prey by jumping on it from a height.
• they have their own brand of "hiss", which is apparently quite noticable. A cat 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. You can see a tame Serval hiss on this page.

Mary and Callie, Savannah cat and Serval at a show photo
©copyright Helmi Flick and brilliantly cat wrangled by Ken Flick

The Savannah cat is adaptable and will get along with well behaved children and socialized dogs. They are apparently instinctively friendly with kids.

Here is a tip from a leading UK cattery on Savannah cat diet. At Strawbell Pedigree Cats they have found that their Bengal and Savannah kittens and adults love boiled chicken including the livers and no salt. It is served cooled with the water in which it was boiled. Their cats also eat raw chicken. They found, as I do, that some wet packaged food is unattractive to cats. Unless we are fully informed as to dietary requirements of a cat, one thing worth noting is that it is unwise, as I understand it, to only provide a home made diet as it will not necessarily contain the added supplements such as taurine that are vital to a cat's health. See, for example, Bengal cat and Taurine and Cat Food Rice Taurine. This page provides some examples of homemade cat food recipes and discusses dietary requirements: Homemade cat food.

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. As at Aug. 2008 A1 Savannahs sell F1 Savannah males at between $7,500 - $22,000 and SBT (see below) males at $950 - $6,000. SBT Females are priced at from $950 - $3,000. The relatively high cost of the Savannah cat is due to the difficulties and higher than average cost in breeding the cat and the cats rarity.

Martin and Kathrin Stucki at A1 Savannahs have created a new company, A1 Supremes (see link below). These are the most exotic domestic cats available, the exceptional Savannah cats from the A1 Savannahs cattery. They are very intelligent and athetic with the best temperaments.

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.

The allowable outcrosses under TICA breed standard are: Serval, Egyptian Mau, Ocicat, Oriental Shorthair and the domestic shorthair (not a member of a recognized breed). Sometimes breeders go outside these guidelines. I have heard the Norwegian Forest Cat being used and even a Pixie bob. It is important, Martin Stucki says to strive for the true Serval type coat, which is not a golden coat. There is possibly a tendency to breed for golden color as they are more popular but not true to the objective or the breed.

How much Serval is there is in the various generations from the wild cat?

Health

Health in relation to purebred cat means,"are there any genetically inherited diseases?" (see Genetic Diseases in Purebred cats). My research indicates that there are none in relation to this cat breed. There is talk that an anaesthetic called Ketamine is unstuitable for wildcat hybrids. No doubt the veterinarian will be able to confirm or deny this.

In fact hybrid vigor serves to improve health. The scientific term is heterosis. It is also known as outbreeding enhancement and is the opposite to inbreeding depression (ill health or a propensity to ill health caused by inbreeding). Cross breeding from different breeds creates a more robust individual cat genetically it is thought.

There are no special dietary demands for Savannah cats as far as I am aware. Some breeders will always a feed homemade raw diet, while others mix raw and commercial and yet the third group do what the rest of us do and provide commercially sourced cat food.

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.