Information
The Generations
Savannahs and caracats different generations are preceded by an F (F1, F2, F3, etc). F means ‘Filiat’ from… The F1 savannah comes from the marriage of a Serval and a domestic breed (bengal, savannah, oriental, etc). The F1 caracat comes from the marriage of a Caracal and a domestic breed (chausie, abyssinian). Then, an F1 female will produce an F2, the F2 female an F3, and so on. Males are infertile until mostly the F5 generation, even though now some F4’s are exhibiting stud genes. The higher the generations… the closer they are to the Serval means a higher percentage of Serval or Caracal blood. They are hybrid cats.
SBT stands for Stud Book Traditional. The SBT Savannah cat is considered to be a pure Savannah, with a line of at least 3 generations of Savannah kings and queens.
All the explanations below stand for savannahs and caracats.
To the F generation, a letter is added: this letter explains the pedigree:
A: means one parent is not a Savannah. All F1 are A. All kittens born from a marriage from a Savannah and another domestic cat will have an A designation.
B: means the two parents are A Savannahs, with at least one grandparent from another breed.
C: means the two parents are B Savannahs; the grandparents are also Savannahs, but one great grandparent is from a different breed.
SBT: means both parents are C Savannahs. All SBT have 3 generations of Savannah to Savannah matings in it’s pedigree: parents, grandparents and great grandparents. SBT can only be from the F4 generation and down.
The F follows the Filial generation from the Serval or Caracal , but the letters designate the pedigree. So, these letters are joined but they work independently of each other. An F4 could be SBT or A or C.
Only SBT Savannah cats are allowed to be showcased in Championship Class.
Prices
Savannah cats and Caracats are extremely difficult to produce, especially the high generations.
Pairing a Serval or a Caracal with a domestic cat is very difficult.
Having them reproduce is a matter of luck.
Also, the Serval’s gestation period is around 74 days, when for a domestic it is around 63 days: this difference puts litters at risks. The Caracal’s gestation is even longer, between 68 to 81 days.
The higher the generation, the smaller the litter. F1 and F2 Queens can also go for long periods without birthing. Also, it is not uncommon that the kittens are stillborn.
These are Hybrids cats… born from 2 different species…so nature doesn’t always cooperate with the breeders wishes.
Prices are set by generation and the conformation to the breed’s standard. Buying a kitten with breeding rights will be more expensive.
The higher the generation, the more expensive the cat. The size, the percentage of Serval blood, the colours and patterns will also be a consideration .
F1 Savannah cat: 15 000$ to 20 000$ as pet (Canadian)
F2 Savannah cat: 9 000$ to 15 000$ as pet
F3 Savannah cat: 5000$ to 7 500$ as pet
Lower generations range from 1 200$ to 4 000$ as pet
Caracat F1 : 15 000$ to 20 000$ (US)
Caracat F2 : 11 000$ to 15 000$
Caracat F3 : 8 000$ to 11 000$
A Supreme Quality kitten is one that has superior and exceptional serval or caracal characteristics. This type of kitten is always a surprise and an unexpected gift from Nature! Those exceptional kittens will be at the top of their generation price range.
When taking possession of your kitten from the breeder, always have the TICA registration slip and a contract. This is proof of the pedigree and lineage of your kittens, as well as it’s healthy genetics, good health and guarantees.
Colors and Patterns
Savannah cats are breed to look as much as possible like it’s ancestor, the Serval: a warm buttery gold colour with black contrasting spots.
The standard colours for Savannah cats : brown spotted tabby, silver spotted tabby, black with black spots and black smoke (black tipped silver with black spots).
Brown has gold in it’s variations of shades, so most Savannah cats harbouring those tones will be registered as brown spotted tabby.
The non-standard colours: marble, rosettes, snow, blue, cinnamon, chocolate, lilac.
The sparble pattern (mix of spotted and marble), a new trend, is part of the non-standard colours but is highly desired and sought after: it mimics the royal cheetah markings.
We are currently working on developing sparble lineage.
The Sparble
The sparble pattern (mix of spotted and marble), a new trend, is part of the non-standard colours but is highly desired and sought after: it mimics the royal cheetah markings. We are currently working on developing a sparble lineage. Two of our Qeens are sparble.
But regardless of colour, all Savannahs turn heads!
The variety of colours and patterns are now increasing, bringing new avenues to the breed.
The Savannah breed is still a young breed and needs to be more developed.
No matter the colour of your Savannah… it will always have a stunning athletic and wild look!
Most F2 marble males are usually bigger and taller than most other F2 males.
The Savannah exotic look is due to it’s distinguishing Serval characteristics:
the colour markings
tall ears
long legs
black tear drops streaks from the corner of the eyes the nose
long and leggy bodies
hind-end higher than the shoulder
small triangular face
long neck
ocelies behind the ears
eyes can be green, gold, brown, grey
tail with black rings and a solid black tip
Temperament and Behavior
Savannah cats and Caracat are extremely intelligent, curious, inquisitive and playful. They need playtime and physical and mental stimulation.
They are high jumpers and fast runners who bounce off walls and knock things down in their way.
They have a good memory so they remember everything that is positive to them: so, positive reinforcement is the key to training them: always try to gain their cooperation for anything that you want them to do. They are obsessive and stubborn cats: they will make sure to succeed in their goal no matter what you do. They need to get to the bottom of their curiosity.
Most of them enjoy playing in water: they seem to always bring and dump their toys in their water bowl to play. Some take showers with their humans. Our F3 always joins who ever is taking a bath… like in the tub!
They will learn to open doors, taps, windows screens, drawers, and so on.
They will move your things around the house: blankets, keys, pillows, shoes, etc.
You will have to choose between your plants and your Savannah cats or Caracat.
You also will have to put away your fragile decorations…. they have a tendency to like to redecorate THEIR home.
They can be easily taught to come on command, sit, lie down and do other kinds of tricks due to their good memory, intelligence and need for stimulation.
They will fetch their toys… over and over again.
They can be trained to walk on a leash and they actually love to go on hikes.
Savannah cats and Caracat are extremely loyal to their humans… they will be around you all the time, will be involved in everything you do and will want to inspect what ever you do.
They don’t tolerate any kind of constraint: forced hugs and cuddling, being held in arms, veterinarian manipulation, physical manipulation, etc.
They love and need heights. It is in their genes, so no sense fighting it. They will jump onto counters, tables, chairs, furniture, cupboards, top of doors, fridge, etc. Installing cat shelves in specific areas where you spend most of your time will certainly help.
If you want a calm, laidback and lazy cat : DON’T get a Savannah NOR a Caracat. You will be miserable and so will be your cat.
Savannahs and Caracat are active, funny, goofy, intelligent, curious and very inquisitive. They have a mind of their own. They will make you laugh … and curse.
But Savannah cats and Caracat will definitely make you fall deeply in love with them.
Savannahs and Caracat are NOT regular cats: they have a different psychology, energy, intelligence and behavior. They are felines rather than cats… especially the higher generations.
They will make you feel special… because after all… aren’t you special enough to have a Hybrid cat that loves you ?
Any responsible breeder should inform you of all the different aspects of the Savannah and Caracat.
But…
Be ready to become addicted to your new kitten….
Diet
Savannahs and Caracat have a high level of energy.They need more protein, calcium and taurine than regular cats.
The best diet is raw. But it is hard to balance a raw diet only. So, if you are not familiar with what is proper raw diet, it is best to mix raw and a good quality food: one RAW chicken stick a day (with skin and bone RAW) + a very good quality food.
I know… giving your first raw stick can feel strange at first…. but you will get used to it when your kitten shows you how much he enjoys it and how well he grows!
You can also give raw chicken hearts, raw beef, raw egg yolk (not the white).You can treat them with other kinds of meat: but RAW ONLY. You can look up raw diet on BARF website.
Cooked bones are totally DANGEROUS for them: only raw bones.
Some Savannahs enjoy some vegetables and fruits, and this is good. Table food is NOT an option. Some Savannahs (like our F1) will like everything with a smell: chocolate, toothpaste, chips, cookies, bread, wine, etc… You need to be very vigilant. If your cat is that way, it should not have access to such extreme danger.
Our felines, adults and kittens, are all on a mixed diet: raw + high quality dry food. They are fed RAW at breakfast, and then have access to breeder or veterinarian quality dry food as they wish. We also offer, on a regular basis, some whole frozen prey (with feathers, head, beak, insides, etc.): chicks, quail and rabbits. They are predators that need to have a diet that is as close to the one they would have in the wild.
They MUST have access to clean and fresh water at all times.
As a New Owner
As a new owner the first thing you need to know: YOUR LIFE IS ABOUT TO CHANGE !!!!
so be prepared….
Savannah cats and Caracats are extremely curious, with a high level of energy, very playful, loving in their own way, obsessive, mischievous, ready to get into trouble just for fun, inquisitive and ready to help you in any kind of project that you are doing… cooking, taking a bath or doing renovations!
Their intelligence will put them in strange situations… so they need constant stimulation.
Be ready to be owned by your Savannah cat or your Caracat and not the other way around…. because after all… Savannahrules and Caracatrules are the ones you will follow from now on.
You will have to Savannah proof your house before receiving your kitten: kittens are extremely curious and lively… they will play with anything… which could put them in serious and dangerous situations.
cover electrical cords
remove pull down door knobs
remove your plants…. or expect your kitten to do some gardening… plus most plants are toxic. Please verify if your plants are
remove fragile decorations
pick up anything they could chew on and swallow
keep you toilet cover down at all times: Savannah kittens are attracted by water which could lead to toilet drowning
Litter-Box
The litter box should be big enough for your Savannahor Caracat: most litter boxes for regular cats are too small.
You can use a large or X large size storage tote box long and wide enough. The longer the better. No high sidings. NO cover.
Litter boxes have to be cleaned EVERY DAY.
You can also put more than one litter box in different areas of your home. Most cats do better with more than one.
Don’t hide the litter boxes in confining spaces. Always put them in open social areas.
