Savannah Cat Hybrids Are Gorgeous, Energetic and Expensive
The Savannah cat is not your average domestic cat (Felis catus). These exotic cats are close descendants of African servals, so they retain many of their ancestors' "wild blood" qualities while adapting well to the comfortable, domesticated life enjoyed by other cats.
This juxtaposition makes this cat breed the perfect pet for a wide range of living situations—from hunting mice and pests to cuddling up on a cozy apartment couch.
A Brief Overview Savannah Cats
Savannah cats are not a native species to the Sub-Saharan countries they originated in. The first Savannah cat owners began developing the Savannah breed during the 1980s by mixing African servals with domestic cats.
According to the Savannah Cat Association, Savannah cats are one of the few popular hybrid breeds of housecat, with the other major crossbreed being Bengal cats (a mix between the Asian leopard cat and common domestic cat).
However, since African serval cats have fewer predators than the ancestors of Bengals, Savannah cats tend to be more mild-mannered and less skittish than their serval relatives. This relaxed temperament improves with each generation, from the F1 Savannah cat to 4th-generation purebreds.
Savannah Cat Breed Variations
There are several variations of hybrid cats under the Savannah breed umbrella, with much of the diversity stemming from combinations of an African serval grandparent with other domestic breeds.
Although the challenging breeding process produced the first generation of F1 Savannah cats in 1986, the International Cat Association didn't recognize them among championship-status domestic cat breeds until 2012.
Lower-generation Savannahs are now crossbred with foundation breeds, including Siamese, domestic shorthair cats (DSH), Bengal cats and Egyptian Maus.
Common Characteristics of Savannah Cats
Savannahs combine the dominant physical traits of African serval cats with the playful, laid-back nature of domestic cats. Each domestic breed used in the mating process will create a unique combination of traits, but the energetic hunter qualities always show through.
Physical Traits
The Savannah cat is an exceptionally large breed with thin, long legs. They are among the tallest domestic cat species, with average adult heights ranging between 10 to 16 inches (25 to 41 cm) tall.
The Maine coon cat — another one of the biggest cat breeds — is typically the only breed of domestic house cats that will sometimes surpass the Savannah in size.
Savannah cats typically fall into two main fur color groups: golden fur with black-smoke striation for the brown-spotted tabby variety versus whitish-gray fur with dark brown spots for the silver-spotted tabby variety.
A new kitten will have soft adolescent fluff for the first six months before its shorter, slicker adult fur comes in.
At this stage, a Savannah cat's distinctive "cheetah-tear-stain" markings become darker at the corners of its eyes, its hind end often grows taller than its shoulders, and ocelli marks become prominent behind its large, erect ears.
Temperament
Savannah kittens never lose their playful nature, which stems from strong hunting instincts inherited from their wild ancestors. They are high-energy, highly intelligent felines that require proper socialization and constant activity to thrive.
Although relaxed into their relatively recent domestication, Savannah cats' instincts always encourage these mini predators to explore, track and hunt. You can teach these pets to play fetch or leash-train them to go on long walks to expel their extra energy.
Lifespan
Similar to any domestic cat, Savannah cats' lifespans vary based on the different breeds found in the individual animal's lineage and environment. Savannah cats are social creatures who typically seek out affection from humans and other pets in the home.
Providing your pet with top-quality essentials — such as a nutritional cat food diet with occasional servings of raw meat, a clean litter box to reduce disease and regular visits to the vet for vaccines and medicines — could help this breed live to between 12 and 20 years.
Fertility
Hybrid breeds often have serious fertility issues early in the breeding process. Haldane's rule of hybrid inviability states that (interspecific) (inter-species) sex chromosomes will likely cause a sterile, heterozygous sex between two species. (The wholphin is a rare exception to this concept.)
In the case of Savannah cat breeds, the foundational male serval cat and F1 female are often fertile, but male Savannahs may not be able to procreate until the fifth or sixth generation.
Now That's Exorbitant
An F1 Savannah kitten is an extremely rare pet due to difficult breeding and low fertility rate, so it comes with a hefty purchase price, often exceeding $16,000. Buying a domesticated cat for the same cost as a used car requires considerable dispensable income, so Savannah cats have become the cherished pets of some of the wealthiest owners. Famous Savannah cat owners include Justin Bieber and the King of Morocco.
The Legal Questions
However, Savannah cats of any generation are too exotic for the Australian government. Down Under, it's flat-out illegal to import the breed. The country's had a lot of bad luck with invasive species, from rabbits to cane toads. Environmentalists warn that a feral Savannah cat population could put Australia's native fauna at risk.
Across the Pacific, U.S. states like Hawaii, Georgia and Massachusetts have various laws regulating Savannah ownership — as does New York City. Some of these places allow residents to own cats of specific generations; others ban Savannahs outright.
For its part, the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA) — the world's largest pedigreed cat registry — won't recognize the Savannah cat breed as legitimate. As explained in an official statement, the CFA "does not encourage or promote the breeding of nondomestic (wild) cats of any species to any domesticated cats."
That said, the International Cat Association (TICA) has been registering Savannahs since 2001. Curious parties can find breeders all over the world, in such countries as Germany, Russia, Canada and the United States. Those who raise these cats often swear by their affable personalities; Savannahs often get along well with children and dogs. Just know that buying one can really set you back.
Some Savannah cats come with modest price tags of $1,000 to $5,000, but a prize Savannah cat could potentially cost you $35,000.
Now That's Interesting
We all know the stereotype about how all cats hate water, but Savannah cats actually seem to like it. Sometimes, they'll deliberately plop toys into their water dishes and then scoop them back out.
Original article: Savannah Cat Hybrids Are Gorgeous, Energetic and Expensive
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