According to Wikipedia, U.S. Bengal breeder Judee Frank first
managed to crossbreed an African Serval and domestic cat,
producing the first Savannah on April 7, 1986.
Savannahs are considered one of the larger breeds of
'domesticated' cats. Their tall and slim build gives Savannahs the
appearance of greater size than their actual weight.
First cross (F1, 50% serval) second cross (F2, 25% serval)
hybrids are usually the largest, due to the stronger genetic
influence of the Serval ancestor. Male Savannahs tend to be
larger than females.
Because of the random factors in Savannah hybrid genetics, there
can be significant variation in size, even in one litter. Some
breeders report Savannahs in excess of 13 kg, with at least one
breeder claiming an over 18kg male. However, early generation
Savannahs usually weigh between 4.5 to more than 11 kg, with
males larger than females. Later generation
Savannahs are usually between 3.5 -7.7 kg, although they can be
larger.
Apart from their large size, savannahs are noted for their
jumping ability. Some cats can leap more than 2.4m from a
standing start (i.e. over a standard fence), and they are well
known to be able to open doors (and leap on top of them).
Video footage of this ability is available on YouTube - these are
F2 hybrids http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=wUML67rk2Ec
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=OCcfymXQkM4
Unlike most domestic cats, Savannahs are not averse to
water. They are extremely good at fishing. Video
footage of a Serval fishing is available on YouTube -
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=fr7L2VNIJH8&feature=related
Savannah fishing for and eating a (very small) goldfish -
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=JuEi9ScTYUE
Laws governing ownership of Savannah cats in the United States
(where they are primarily bred) vary and are often
inconsistent. Hybrids (defined as domestic/wild species'
crosses) are illegal in New York and Nebraska - where they
(and Bengals) come under the definition of 'nondomestic'.
This is defined as 'any animal other than a pet animal,
agricultural animal; any animal, which has reverted to a wild
state, a wolf hybrid animal, or any other hybrid
animal'.
Many other states, however, follow federal and USDA code, which
defines such crosses as 'domesticated' and as such
unregulated. In California, there are strict regulations
about the types of animals which can be legally imported without a
permit. Wolves and F1 hybrids are restricted from possession.
However, regarding felines it determines that crosses between a
domestic feline and a restricted cat (all exotics except cheetahs)
do not even require a permit. Yet California defines a 'wild
animal' as one that 'is not normally domesticated in California as
determined by the Fish and Game Commission, California Fish and
Game Code Section 2116. In Michigan you
must not own native species of wild cat (cougar and
lynx) or tigers, leopards, lions, jaguar, panther, cheetah, cougar
and hybrids of these and may not breed these. However, there is no
regulation for exotic 'small' felines (including servals) and the
state defers to the US Fish and Wildlife Division ruling as stated
above. In Louisiana, wolf dog hybrids are illegal, but wild
felines (except cougars) and their domestic hybrids are
legal. In Alabama there are no state regulations on hybrid
dogs or cats.
To date, Australian law has not anticipated the importation of
such hybrids, and follows the USDA model to consider such animals
'domesticated'. This loophole has allowed the animals
to be imported, and 16 animals are presently in
quarantine prior to entry.
Australia has a very poor record of pet animals escaping and
establishing into the environment and becoming invasive
pests. In the past 20 years, 11 of the 12 new alien fish to
establish in Australian waters have been aquarium escapes.
The red-eared slider turtle, imported as a pet, is now an
enviornmental pest. Escaped ornamental birds such as Barbary
doves have also become pests.
Escaped 'domesticated' cats are already a Key Threatening
Process to Australia's wildlife under the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. In
NSW alone, a recent report (The Threat Posed by Pest Animals to
Biodiversity in New South Wales 2007, IA CRC/NSW Department of
Environment and Climate Change) stated that feral cats impact on
more than 117 threatened species. This is more than any other
pest animal. They have contributed to the extinction of seven
native mammal species and continue to seriously impact bilby, mala
and numbat populations. Feral cats have also been
involved in the extinction of mammals and bird species on off-shore
islands, such as the Macquarie Island red-fronted
parakeet.
Australians are aware of the impact. According to an
ongoing national community awareness survey by Invasive Animals CRC
partner, ValueMetrics Australia, the feral cat is
consistently disliked by 7 out of 10 Australians responding to the
weekly national survey(six months data to date). Feral cats
are rated as number 2 on the public's list of worst pest animals
(after cane toads).
The Federal Government is currently investigating whether to ban
the Savannah cat. Senator Penny Wong said "the Government
does recognise that it is essential that Australia's environment be
protected from new, potentially invasive predators'.
"I'm advised that the Minister for the Environment has initiated
a process for possible amendment of the live import list to
prohibit savannah cats."
Read more on our CEO's blog - Feral Thoughts.
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Disclaimer: this information has been collated from a
variety of sources and is accurate as far as we can
ascertain. Information on U.S. state laws is hosted on
websites www.hybridpride.org (last
verified in November 2004) and www.hybridlaw.com (last
verified May 2008).
