What is a Savannah Cat?

The Savannah cat is one of the rarest and most unique hybrid cats in the world, created by crossing an African Serval with a domestic cat. These cats are renowned for their exotic appearance, featuring long legs, long sleek bodies, large ears, and distinctive spots.

 

Generations of Savannahs

Savannahs are classified into generations by their distance from the Serval ancestor:

  • F1: Serval + domestic cat = Savannah F1 (50% Serval)
  • HPF1: Serval + Savannah F1 = Savannah HPF1 (75% Serval)
  • F2: Savannah F1 female + Savannah F5 male = Savannah F2 (approximately 25% Serval)
  • F3: Savannah F2 female + Savannah F5 male = Savannah F3 (around 12.5% Serval)
  • F4: Savannah F3 female + Savannah F5 male = Savannah F4 (less than 10% Serval)
  • F5: Savannah F4 female + Savannah F5 male = Savannah F5 (less than 10% Serval)

 

Coat Colors

Savannahs come in various coat colors:

  • Brown Spotted Tabby (BST): The most common, with warm golden or cool tones and black spots
  • Silver Spotted Tabby (SST): Almost white or light grey with black spots
  • Melanistic: Black with black spots, resembling a panther
  • Classic (Marble): With a swirling pattern on the coat

 

Lifespan and Characteristics

Savannahs can live from 12 to 20 years with proper care. These cats require a lot of attention and physical activity. They are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and playfulness. Savannahs enjoy water and often play with it, that is unusual for cats.