Savannah cat
**See the above video in large format** Share on Facebook Video above: MAGIC is from A1 Savannahs. She is a 16 month old (at the date of this video - early Sept. 2009) spayed f1 female. Her daddy is a Serval. Her Mommy is a Savannah cat. My thanks to Martin & Kathrin Stucki for providing the video material. You can see it on my YouTube channel in large format: PoC YouTube Channel (57 videos - new window). And you can see it in large video format here: F1 Savannah Cat MAGIC. See more videos on this page here. MAGIC (Scarlett's Magic) is the Guinness World Records world's tallest pet cat (at Sept. 2009).
Here's MAGIC again just going for a nice stroll with a leash. Looking as content as she can be; very alert and athletic. See it in large format. Above: F1 Savannah Cat TITAN. Click on the link to see this is large format plus more here: TITAN I made all the videos on this page including this one and this one is my favorite. It shows Andreas Stucki the 6 year old son of Martin and Kathrin Stucki in complete harmony with the world's tallest domestic cat, F1 Savannah cat MAGIC a beautiful female cat of massive presence. See it in large format here: A Close Relationship Between Cat and Boy. Here is yet another...! This time it MAGIC taking a rest and Leonie, the five year old daughter of Martin and Kathrin Stucki deciding to carry him. It makes for a startling picture: See the above video in large format and some words: Titan Charms The Children. And finally my final one: Savannah Cat Zest.
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 the amazing appearance. An F2 Savannah is two generations from the wild Serval.
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.  Custom
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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 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 its eyes closed. The servals 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 or stuns it. The elongated neck and body allow for a high vantage point.
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) ______________________________
Update 2-6-09: See some of Kathrin Stucki's wonderful photographs of an F2 Savannah cat: Kathrin Stucki A1 Savannahs Photos. 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).
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. 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. Keeping Wild Cats - new law in Oregon plus a discussion on how keeping wild cats is beyond the commitment of most and that under the new law in Oregon breeders of F1 Savannah cats are affected.
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:
 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. 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.  Savannah
Cat
photo ©copyright
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. 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?
Male
Savannah cats are
sterile until the 5th generation (F5).
).
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. 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
photo ©copyright
Helmi Flick
1. August 2008 - The Savannah cat is in the news again. Australia has banned the importation of this cat breed (src: AFP - Google News). The ban was declared by the Australian government's Environment Minister Peter Garrett. There was talk about this before it happened. I say that the Savannah cat ban in Australia is wrong (see link to new page on this ).
Australians
are it seems to me a little paranoic about their feral cat population,
which is estimated to be at 12 million. They think that feral
cats of Australia
are killling native wildlife but there would seem to be no firm data to
back this up. There is also a myth that some Australian feral cats are
growing to
the size of big cats! Anyway, they think if the Savannah cat is
imported to Australia, one or two may become feral then breed with the
existing feral cats and bingo, you've got a super feral cat killing
more native wildlife. Who caused the feral cat problem in
Australia? There would seem to be a policy of cruelty towards the
Australian feral cat and an acceptance of the irresponsible behavior of
some people.2. SBT Savannahs from A1 Savannahs- these are pure Savannah cats. This means that they have no house cat blood (moggie, mixed breed cat) in them. They have at least 3 generations of Savannah cats in their parentage. This makes their character and appearance (type) more predictable and reliable. SBT stands for "Stud Book Tradition". Some additional quick questions and answers in an easy read format:
A1 Savannahs
- new
windowMartin & Kathrin Stucki, Ponca City, Oklahoma, USA - Raymond, New Hampshire, USA. A1 Savannahs is the cattery that founded the Savannah Breed. They have started a new venture, A1 Supremes
producing the biggest,
wildest Savannah cats with
the sweetest temperaments.Avalon Savannahs Located in California, USA. Savannah Cat information and pictures from a great source. 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. The above map shows some locations of Savannah cat breeders worldwide. Please click on the flags.
Sources:
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