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About Us
Gulf Coast Savannahs is an in home Cat Breeder based in Tampa Florida. We have been breeding F2 Savannah kittens since 2021, with a focus on making the transition from our loving home to yours as easy as possible. We strive to breed the best animals we can, educate their new owners and ensure these precious creatures get the love, care and attention they deserve. Contact us to find out more about our methods and philosophy.
Savannah Cats
The Savannah Cat is a hybrid cat breed which combines the exotic beauty of an African Serval with the lovable domesticated house cat. Its wild origins with the medium-sized, large-eared wild African cat give it some of its distinctive exotic traits including:
Coat
Ornate spotted patterns on the fur
Ocelli
Ocelli on the back of their ears, a central light band bordered by black, dark grey or brown, giving it an eye-like appearance
Body
Long, lanky, larger build
Tail
Short with black rings and a black tip
Ears
Deeply cupped, wide, rounded, erect
Facial Markings
Cheetah like markings by the eyes, nose, and whiskers
The Savannah Cat is a domestic breed that originated in the 1980s, descended from the African Serval. This breed was specifically developed to possess a striking resemblance to wild ancestors, with features such as expressive eyes, dark tear stains, vibrant coat colors, contrasting black spots, large rounded ears, and long legs. Noteworthy characteristics of the Savannah Cat include its ability to play fetch, walk on a leash, give headbutts, chirp like a bird, exhibit high jumping capabilities, and display high energy levels and intelligence.
Here are some key details about the Savannah Cat:
- Scientific name: Felis catus × Leptailurus serval
- Life span: 12-20 years
- Weight: 12-25 pounds
- Exercise: High
- Hypoallergenic: No
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Due to their high energy levels, Savannah Cats require regular exercise. Providing opportunities for exercise and socialization from an early age is crucial for their development. Creating a friendly environment with positive reinforcement yields the best results. Owners should understand that the effort they invest in their Savannah Cat will directly impact its behavior.
When raised properly, the Savannah Cat exhibits an exceptional temperament, often likened to that of a dog. They make ideal companions for individuals who desire an active and engaging pet without the additional requirements of a dog. Savannah Cats actively seek social interaction and may display signs of discontent if left out. They maintain a youthful and playful nature throughout their lives and are profoundly loyal to their immediate family members.
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Although Savannah Cats may initially question strangers, they possess a curious nature and a strong desire to interact. Over time, they warm up to new individuals and exhibit their friendly and inquisitive nature.
Classification
The largest and most expensive Savannah Cats are known as the first generation (F1) and are offspring of the African Serval. The second generation (F2) Savannah Cats are slightly smaller but still retain many of the playful and quirky behaviors of the F1 generation. Seasoned breeders often recommend the third generation (F3) as the entry point for owning a Savannah Cat.
While not as large as the F1 and F2 generations, F3 Savannah Cats are still sizable and exhibit a friendly nature towards children and other animals. They make excellent companions for leisurely walks with a walking jacket or for cozying up on the couch to watch TV.
Beyond the third generation, subsequent generations of Savannah Cats tend to maintain a similar size while retaining their sharp intellect and inquisitiveness. The use of F1, F2, and so on indicates the number of generations away from the original serval ancestor.
Although the F plus a number system is commonly used, it can be confusing. The 'F' stands for filial, not foundation, and the numerical designation signifies the number of generations from the serval. Ideally, breeders would use appropriate subscripts for each generation, but this practice can be cumbersome. Consequently, most breeders stick with the F and the numerical designation, often unaware that subscripts should be used for accuracy.
In summary, the numerical designation in Savannah cat generations indicates how many generations a particular cat is removed from the original out-cross (serval). F1 represents the first-generation offspring, F2 represents the second generation (grandchild), F3 represents the third generation (great-grandchild), and so on.
