ABOUT THE SAVANNAH CAT

Savannah Cats are hybrid cats, with the first generation (F1) derived from breeding a domestic cat with an African Serval. Savannahs are a fairly new breed that has been recognized by TICA (The International Cat Association) since 2001.

Savannah cats were bred to look like their ancestor, the African Serval. They are a domesticated cat with an exotic look. Weighing in between 10-25lbs, they stand tall with long legs and a lean, long body. They have large ears and a spotted one of kind coat color that much resembles a serval. Some savannah cats have "Ocelli" markings. This term describes the pattern on the back of their ears that is thought to scare off predators. The generation closest to the serval pairing (F1-F3)  will resemble the most serval-like features.

Their behavior is much like a dog. They are super intelligent, energetic and playful. Sometimes their curiosity can lead them into trouble. They will need plenty of toys to keep them busy. A cat wheel is also recommended to burn off some energy, but not required. They often times don't mind water and will shower with you, or play in their water dish, or even less favorable places like the toilet. That's one reason why it is important to "savannah proof" your home before bringing home your kitten, much like you would with a baby.  They can be walked outdoors with a harness and leash. But never to be let loose outside to roam due to dangers. They also easily learn to play fetch. They also like to find their way up into high places such as on top of cabinetry. They are affectionate and want to be doing whatever their person or family is doing. They aren't the type of cats to sleep on the couch all day!

F: Filial generation
This refers to how many generations removed a cat is from its African Serval ancestry. An F1 Savannah Cat is a first generation offspring and has a Serval parent (a Serval father and a domestic mom). An F2 is a second generation offspring with a Serval grandparent, an F3 is a third generation offspring with a Serval great grandparent, and so on.