Savannah is a hybrid animal born from the crossing of a domestic cat (Felis sylvestris catus) with a serval (Leptailurus Serval). It has this name because the serval is a typical animal of the savannas; and also because it is the name of the cattery that created the breed. Because this is the result of crossing different species, most animals are sterile, which makes it a very rare breed.
Description[]
Cats of this breed have an intermediate size to that of the domestic cat and the serval, the triangular head, and elongated legs of a serval; they are also tall and elegant. The ears are large and rounded; they have a clear mark behind the ear called ocelli; and the tail is short with rings and a black tip. They have a tear mark: darker lines that run from the medial corner of the eyes towards the muzzle.
Savannah Cats come in different standardized sizes as illustrated in the chart above.
The allowed colors of the Savannah are: Brown Spotted Tabby, Silver Spotted Tabby, Black Smoke and Black. A Savannah F1 puppy costs around $15,000; an F2, from $7,000 to $8,000; F3, about $6,500; F4, around $5,000; and the value of the more distant specimens, F5 and F6, is between US$ 2,000 to US$ 4,000. When purchasing a Savannah, the puppy must be neutered and microchipped.
History[]
Although the development of the Savannah breed began in 1994, it was only in 2000 that it was registered with The International Cat Association (TICA - one of the largest associations that recognize cat breeds for competitions and championships) as an Experimental New Breed; and in May 2008, the breed's status moved to Advanced New Breed, a second tier that allows these breeds to be shown at association shows.
Temperament[]
The Savannah has a unique feature: this large cat has an exotic coat and a docile temperament, in addition to being easily trained to walk on a leash, do agility or play fetch. Savannah's can be compared to dogs in terms of companionship, they tend to follow their owners around the entire house and are very interactive.
They usually greet people by gently rubbing their head against them. They are full of energy and always ready to play, making excellent companions for children; an excellent pet; and they can live in apartments, including with other cats - and other animals -, but as the breed is closer to the wild, care is suggested with regard to small birds.
Another characteristic of the Savannah is the ability to jump. They can easily climb to the highest places in the house. They love to play with water, often putting their paws in it; or dip their toys in the bowl of water. They are highly intelligent, which can make every day in their company a rewarding experience.