Savannah Cats

By: Madison

Opening

Savannahs originated in 1986. Savannahs are a hybrid cat which means they are a cross between the wild Serval and the domestic house cat. Savannahs were recognized as a breed by TICA (The International Cat Association) in 2012. They can now be shown at cat shows. Savannahs come in many colors and patterns but the TICA approved colors for show are Brown spotted tabby, Silver spotted tabby, Black, and Smoke.

The difference between the Savannah and Bengal

Serval Asian Leopard Cat

Savannah Bengal

Serval

● Servals are like a smaller version of a cheetah.

● Servals come from the grasslands of Africa.● They have tall legs and a long neck to see

over the high savanna grasses.● Servals can weigh between 20 to 40

pounds and get up to 24 inches long.● Servals have a high pitched cry.● When angry they will spit, snarl, and growl.● Servals love to climb trees and play in

water.

Serval continued

● Servals can jump up to 10-15 feet high● They are extremely good hunters with a

high degree of accuracy● They catch most of their prey by stalking it

then leaping into the air and pouncing it● Servals can hear prey that is still

underground in burrows● Female Servals have between 1-3 kittens in

the summer months● In most states Servals are illegal

F numbers

● Savannahs are classified by how far they are from the Serval, that is the “F” number

● F1 is 1 generation away from a Serval, an F2 is 2 generation away

● F8 is the highest “F” number, which is only about 2% Serval

● F1’s are at least 50% Serval and some can be up to 75% Serval

● F1s bond with 1 person and normally avoid everyone else

● F1s are not lap cats and do not like being held

F numbers

● F1s are not good with small children or strangers● F2s are more social than F1s● F2s may still bond with 1 person like the F1 but, most enjoy being with the

entire family● F2s may be shy around strangers at first but will warm up to them● F3s and later generations are extremely social with people● F3 and later generations are recommended for family pets

Ownership

● Each state has different laws on owning a

Savannah. They are illegal to own in New

York City, Nebraska, Hawaii, Georgia and

Rhode Island. Many other states have

different requirements including having a

permit to own one, and not allowing

ownership of F1-F3s.

● In New York State it is legal to own a F5 or

higher but, in New York City it is illegal to

own any generation Savannah

● All F numbers are legal in other countries except Australia, where the Savannah is banned

Ownership

● Savannahs make great pets but you should do your research on them to make sure you have the

time and patience to have one in your house. A bored Savannah will get into trouble.

● They can see a regular veterinarian and do not require any special health care

● It’s important to have places for your Savannah to run, jump and climb

● Savannahs play rough and will destroy most cat toys, toys made for dogs hold up better

● Plays with one toy then gets bored after a long period of time ( things they never paid attention to will be the new toy)

Queens, Studs, and kittens

● A Stud is a male and a Queen is a female

● F1 Queens will have F2 kittens, F2 Queens

will have F3 kittens …

● F1 and F2 Queens normally only have 1 or

2 kittens per litter making them harder to

come by and more expensive

● F3 number Queens and higher will have

more kittens per litter

● Queens of the F1 - F3 generations and Studs of the F5 - F7 generations aren’t typically offered as pets because they are held for future breedings.

Tucho

Queens, Studs and kittens

● Kittens stay with their mother until they are

8-12 weeks old

● It is extremely important that kittens are

socialized with humans so they learn to

trust them

● The most important age for socialization is

between 2-14 weeks

● Unsocialized kittens become shy and fearful of humans not making them good pets

Mingo

Characteristics

● Savannahs are not super large cats, on

average they weigh between 10 - 18 pounds

● They often give the appearance of weighing

more than they actually do because of their

size

● They have long, lean bodies and large ears● They are exotic looking with distinctive spots

● It takes Savannahs 3 years to reach their full

grown size

● Savannahs are friendly, and have dog like

behaviors

● They have high energy levels and are not couch potatoes

Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykGr4QPlvtY&nohtml5=False

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cYoyuMXpjE

Characteristics

● Savannahs chirp, meow, hiss and growl to

communicate, growling and hissing does not

mean they are being aggressive

● Savannahs are very loyal to their owner, most

cats choosing “their” person

● They can be trained to walk on a leash and

play fetch

● Savannahs are highly intelligent and will learn their owners routine, turn on water faucets, open cabinets and doors

● They drink very little water but love to play in

water. Most will get into the shower with their

owner or play in the tub

My Savannah, Nala

● Brown spotted tabby● Birthday: November 5, 2014● Enjoys: chewing phone cords, chewing

paper, playing in water, potato chips and ice cream

● Does not enjoy: Not getting her way, being cold, being in a crate

● Daily schedule: Wake up, eat, runs up and down the stairs and pounces on everything, take a “rest”( 5 min. nap), goes back to playing, repeat.Very noisy

● Not afraid of anything

My Savannah 10 Cat Commandments

● If I like it, it’s mine● If I saw it first, it’s mine● If it’s in my paws, it’s mine● If it looks like mine, it’s mine● If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine● If I can take it away from you, it’s mine● If there is more that one, they’re all mine● If you have something and put it down, it’s

mine● If it's mine, it’s NEVER yours● If it bores me or does not taste good … it’s

yours

Bib

http://www.rollinridgesavannahs.com/intro.htm

http://tica.org/

http://www.savannahsillustrated.com/

Thank You!