THE SAVANNAH CAT

      By understanding the Serval, its habits and habitat, you will then be able to develop a better understanding of both the personality and physical description of the Savannah Cat.

     The Serval’s home is in the wetlands, or the Savannahs of Africa. The Serval is medium in size, up to 24inches tall and 30 to 36 inches in length and slender, and weigh anywhere between 20 to 40 pounds.

     If you were to spot a Serval from a distance, the first thing you would notice would be their spectacular black spotted, sleek, golden coat. It is uncommon, but their background color can be snow or melanistic (black). Garnishing off their visual beauty are the strategically located stripes down the back, around the tail, and around the legs.

     Aside from the eye catching black spots, the large wide ears are the second most prominent feature of this medium sized wild cat. The Serval’s ears provide sonar like capabilities that enable them to hear its prey both above and below ground, better to hunt with indeed!

     Once you get past the remarkably large ears, you will see a wedge shaped head. Once again a characteristic not quite proportioned to its body size. You will also observe the wide nose bridge and impish eyes. The facial striping is as if a professional makeup artist has delicately painted around the eyes and cheeks! Absolutely flawless makeup in design!

     The hunting nature of the African Serval is to stalk its prey, leap with its long legs, and pounce on the victim. They have the uncanny ability to leap up to10 feet into the air to catch their prey, such as a bird in a tree. The soft “chirp” of a Serval sounds like a small bird. This chirp serves as part of their hunting disguise. Another delightful meal for a Serval is going into the water for the fresh catch of the day. This could be duck, fish, or other waterfowl. Small rodents such as frogs, mice or squirrels also serve as tasty morsels for the Serval.

     In the wilds of Africa, Servals can be found in close proximity to African tribes. They locate close to villages, but not to harm the villagers or their livestock So, as you can see by their nature, in their wildest form, humans are not to be feared by Servals. Villagers welcome them to help with the rodent control and find them to be amiable.

     It is many of these described African Serval traits that when bred with a domestic cat produce, without a doubt, the most incredible house cat you could ever want to purchase as a family pet….. The Savannah Cat. The Savannah Cat is a new breed started by Joyce Sroufe In the late 1980’s . Various domestic breeds are still being used in its breed development such as the Egyptian Mau, Osicat, Oriental Shorthair and the Bengal cats.. The reasoning behind the introduction of the various breeds is due to the fact that the first four generations of Savannah males are sterile. Therefore, when you are choosing a Savannah kitten you will see a distinct variety in size, color and markings, coat texture, eye shape, and tail length. PLEASE keep in mind, it is the cross with the Serval that has resulted in the most incredible cat breed that is coming into its own now in the 21st century!! The closer your kitten is related in percentage to its Serval ancestor, the more athethentic the kitten will be in appearance and size to the Serval. The SBT Savannah is an “authentic” Savannah . This is a Savannah that has guaranteed only pure Savannahs as parents for at least the last 3 generations.


No license is required to own a Savannah cat. You get the beauty, the intelligence and so many of the terrific qualities of a Serval.