Bengals and Savannahs
An In-Depth Comparison Under Construction
Bengal Ancestry
A Bengal's
exotic ancestor is the Asian Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis) - a ten to
fifteen pound cat known for its extreme coat color, rosetting, musculature,
expressive eyes, and exotic pattern. Often described as having longer legs and
a longer body than domestic cats. Leopard cats are also excellent swimmers and
fishers.
In Asia,
some villagers are reported as keeping leopard cats around to hunt mice, and
wildlife biologists have reported seeing house cat/leopard cat hybrids on the
streets of Bangkok. A leopard cat, kept by a biologist of the American Museum
of Natural History, was reportedly very friendly and followed him everywhere.
Dr. Petzsch of the Halle Zoo reportedly states that leopard cats can become as
tame as domestic cats. However, there are certainly enough stories of leopard
cats, bottle raised from birth, that revert to their wild and shy temperament
upon maturity, to realize that they are not an easily domesticated animal.
Perhaps that is as it should be.
Leopard Cat kitten from Uniqueprints.
Indy the Asian Leopard
Cub and his Bengal friend, Poppy
Savannah
Ancestry
The
Savannah's exotic ancestor is the African Serval (Leptailurus serval) --
known for its very large, tall ears, long legs, athleticism, small eyes on a
triangular face, and pale yellow coat with black spotting.
Servals are
fast runners over short distances and are good leapers and climbers. These
graceful, slender cats are about 20 inches at the shoulder. Adult females weigh
about 30 pounds, and males are slightly larger, often reaching 40 pounds.
The ear is
specialized and unique in the feline family. The ear has enlarged auditory
bullae and pinnae, which are capable of hearing ultrasonic high frequencies
emitted by rodents underground or up to 20 feet away. The Serval's athletic body
and long legs enable him to pounce with accuracy. He catches approximately 50%
of the prey he attempts to catch, a very high ratio. He prefers to live in
grasslands near water where rodents, birds, frogs and bugs are plentiful.
In the wild,
the Serval is a solitary cat, preferring to be alone.
They are crepuscular (hunting at dusk and dawn), and tend to rest during the day
and nighttime.
Serval kittens.
A beautiful African Serval hunting.
The Bengal Name
The name "Bengal" is derived from
the Latin name
of the Asian Leopard Cat, Felis bengalensis.
The Savannah Name
The name "Savannah" is derived
from the region most
common to the Serval cats -- the African Savannah.
Generational
Comparison of Bengals and Savannahs
The F1 Bengal - a
Kitten
The F1
Savannah - an Adult
The F2 Bengal
Calcatta Gitana
The F2
Savannah
Jumanji Savannahs
The F3 Bengal
Kindredkatz Buddy of Aspengold
The F3
Savannah
Bespotted Savannahs
The SBT Bengal
QGC Texas Star Fiesta
(Her mom is our girl, Katznjamr's Celebration)
The SBT Savannah
Columbia Breeze Savannahs
Bengal
Personality
Bengals are
high-energy cats, intelligent, curious, and particularly interactive with their
humans.
They often follow their human around the house, helping with regular housework,
attacking the broom, riding the mop, playing in the running tap water, dunking
toys (and other objects), playing hide-n-seek games, and even playing
chase-you-around-the-house. Bengals frequently invent new and exciting games of
their own - and a very big favorite with many Bengals is playing fetch with a
small ball or favorite toy.
Bengals are often avid sock stealers, too!
Bengals are known for greeting their favorite people at the door, enjoying rides
in the car or trips to PetSmart, snuggling on the couch with either their human
or canine pals, and often enjoy being the center of attention at even the
loudest of house parties.
In addition, Bengals may find walking on a leash outdoors entertaining, and have
even been known to go for a run on the beach, a ride in the boat, a climb on
Enchanted Rock, or just enjoy a picnic with their family.
Finally, Bengals are
become known for their ability to be wonderful Pet Therapy animals,
with their outgoing personalities, they enjoy visiting hospitals and nursing
homes.
Bengal Cat Games
Savannah
Personality
A strong,
lean, creative creature, a Savannah will follow you from room to room and keep
you on your toes by amusing you with his antics. A toy and a Savannah equals
huge leaps and pouncing putting on quite the show. Savannahs are amazingly good
jumpers!!!
The later generation Savannah loves to see and be seen. Savannahs are
intelligent, curious creatures so don't expect them to sleep on your lap all
day. They can be mischievous due to their high intelligence and curiosity. They
are also loyal and devoted companions. Early generation Savannahs are not lap
cats and prefer not to be held and cuddled, but they do enjoy being near their
favorite people.
Many
savannahs love to play in water, dropping their toys in the water dish and then
fishing them out. They can be trained to walk on a leash and enjoy exploring
everything from the neighborhood park to the beach.
They will
greet you at the door and frequently initiate a game of chase-my-favorite-toy.
Truth:
While many Bengals have inherited a strong attraction for water, often playing
in the shower while their owner attempts to take one, or even enjoying a soak in
a warm tub of water, it is rare for a Bengal to want to jump into a pool and
actually swim around!
Many Bengals
will enjoy a small child's pool, particularly if it has floating toys, such as
ping pong balls to play with. Bengals don't mind getting wet, and will often
wade into water that is neck deep!
For those not
too squeamish -- you can watch your Bengals fishing prowess by dumping a few
feeder fish in the pool.
Savannah
Myths
Savannahs
are 30 - 40 pound cats.
Truth: The Savannah breed is a solid
bodied, slender, leggy, tall cat, sometimes making it appear larger than it is.
The largest
generation is the F1, having a Serval parent, and most F1 females weigh in at
around 15 pounds.
Most males probably average closer to 20 pounds - with some being lighter, and some
weighing more.
A breeder who
guarantees a 25-30 pound Savannah? Get proof. This is not common at all.
In general,
F1s are the biggest. F2s are next in line. F3s are even smaller.
Most F3 and
later generation Savannahs weigh about the same as a normal domestic cat, but
are usually a little taller.
Bengal
Facts
First
hybridization attempt to create a pet - in Japan in 1941.
The Bengal
breed was not intentionally attempted until the 1970's.
The Bengal
breed was accepted for registration in TICA in 1983.
The Bengal
reached full championship status in TICA in 1992.
Today Bengal
is accepted in every major cat association, except CFA.
Both
Male and Female Bengals are reliably fertile with up to 15% ALC Genetics.
Male and
Female SBT Bengals are able to have higher percentages than
later generation Male and Female Savannahs due to the Asian Leopard Cat being
more
closely related to the domestic cat.
The Serval is farther away from the domestic cat on the evolutionary ladder.
The
percentage of ALC in many, many registered Bengals may be found at:
Most Savannah
cats bred today are still foundation Savannah cats -- but the breed is getting
very close to the important goal of SBT Savannah (four generations of Savannah
to Savannah breeding).
F5 Savannah
Cat Apollo Video!
SBT Bengal
Tricks! Savannah Kitten at Home
Bengal lands on
dash of Cessna 172Savannah walking on a harness.
SBT Bengal cat playing fetch.F1 Savannah vs. F5 Savannah.
SBT Bengal
kitten opens door.F4 Savannah male at home.
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Bengal Ancestry
Savannah
Ancestry
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