Savannah Cats

The Savannah cat breed is a hybrid from crossbreeding Bengal cats and servals. A serval is an African wildcat. The Savannah cat breed got its name from the African plains that are a natural habitat for servals. Savannah cats get many of their physical characteristics from the serval, but they have dispositions that are much more tame and friendly than one might expect.

Though Savannah cats are not recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) of the United States, this cat breed is in the Advanced New Breed class of The International Cat Association (TICA). This means that Savannah cats are able to participate in TICA cat shows, but are not eligible to earn titles or points.

Kittens born to serval and Bengal parents are the first generation of Savannah cats. Like other interspecies hybrids, there are some effects on fertility. First generation males are sterile. In fact, up to the fourth generation may be sterile. Female Savannah cats are fertile regardless of whether they are from the first crossbreeding or from later generations. First generation Savannah kittens have longer, leaner bodies than subsequent Savannah kittens.

Savannah cats are remarkably tall for a domestic cat. Their legs are long and slender, but muscular. One noticeable characteristic is the long, lean necks of Savannah cats. Savannah cats have medium bone structure. Their blunt-ended tails can be thick. Savannah cats have triangular heads.
The noses of Savannah cats are wide across the top. Savannahs have rather large ears that are set close at the top of the head. The eyes are almond shaped. Eye color varies with no relation to coat color.

The coats of Savannah cats have a somewhat coarse texture and are short to medium in length. The coloring of a Savannah cat can be black, black smoke, brown spotted tabby, or silver spotted tabby. Savannah cats have dramatic markings. Spotted tabby Savannah cats have tabby markings on their heads with a pattern of parallel stripes that go from the back of the head to the shoulders with smaller striping on the legs. The torsos of spotted tabby Savannah cats have distinct spots. Spotted Savannahs have solid spots that are either dark-brown or black.

Despite their wildcat appearance, Savannah cats have personalities that are more typical of domestic cats. Savannahs are curious, intelligent, and alert cats. They are described as affectionate and friendly. Savannahs are generally playful and outgoing. Savannah cats are considered good family pets.