There are so many varieties and levels of Savannah Cats, much less exotic cats in general, it can be very fun and exciting deciding which Savannah is right for you and your family. That being said, it can also be very overwhelming. Which do you choose? Where do you buy?
That’s why we’ve created this page. Read on to find out the differences between F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5 Savannahs and why one of them may be a better fit for your situation.
What is a Savannah Cat? The Savannah is a hybrid cat that is bred from an African Serval and a domestic cat. They are tall and lanky with spots covering their main coat (gold all the way to silver). The long legs and large paws seem to make Savannahs look much heavier than they really are. We find that people think Savannah cats weigh about 40% more than they actually do!
Savannahs were introduced in the mid 1990s. More and more people are attempting to breed them (sometimes without the proper training or resources to do it well), so you need to be mindful of the breeder and their history!
Pricing varies wildly from about $1,000 to $20,000. For more information on pricing, head over to our Savannah Cat Pricing Information page.
F1 males tend to be about 17 – 25 lbs and about 15 to 19 inches tall (to the shoulder). Lengthwise, F1 Savannahs are usually in the range of 20-25 inches. F1 Savannahs are definitely the most extreme of any of the levels due to the amount of wild Serval bred into them. That being said, they are really manageable compared to wild cats or other types of hybrids.
These cats only form a connection with 1-2 people in most cases. They are not aggressive with others, but they will avoid interactions with them! If you have strangers in your house, you probably will not even know that the cat exists — and if they are out of hiding, they will most likely be perched up high, away from the action. This goes for children too — F1 Savannahs tend to avoid the kids. They are not much of a lap cat, as they would rather be playing around due to their high energy level. The only time that you may have trouble with them not using their litter box is if they are unhappy or trying to tell you something!
photo by will wade
F2 males tend to be approximately 15 to 24 lbs, though some can climb over the 30 pound mark. When it comes to height they are just about the same as an F1 — maybe an inch or so shorter. Female F2 Savannah Cats are usually in the 12 to 16 pound range.
F2 Savannah Cats are a much safer bet to be more of the social type than an F1. Still, about 1 out of 5 F2 Savannahs will act like an F1 and avoid socializing with anyone other than their main companion. Like F1 Savannahs, they are not meant to be lap cats. However, this variety will play with children and enjoys being petted. No consistent issues with using the litter box!
F3 males weigh in around 13-19 lbs and can be up to 17 inches in height. They usually about 17 to 20 inches in length. F3 Savannahs of the other gender tend to be significantly lighter in weight, coming in around 10 to 13 lbs.
This is the first generation of Savannah Cat that you can expect to enjoy being a bit of a lap cat. We highly recommend the F3 variation of the Savannah because if you choose wisely, you can find one that has the look of F1s or F2s, but with a more family-friendly, loving personality. These cats are ideal if you have smaller children.
In terms of weight, they are identical to F3 Savannahs at around 13-19 pounds. The most noticeable differences in these variations of the savannah are in height, shape and length. These cats still get the spots or patterns of the Serval, but they are shaped much more like traditional domestic cats. Speaking on their personality, they are even more outgoing than the F3 and will enjoy playing with and being petted by just about anyone!
Have more questions about which type of Savannah would be best suited for your situation? We will be breaking down the different types in depth over the next couple weeks so we will have more info for you soon! In the meantime, be sure to get subscribed for our email updates so you know when we post all the latest information!
