The Whole Scoop for Lynn B, LOL

[Matata]

Posted a pic of new baby in the "names of your pet" thread without details. Call me crazy, because it''s true, but I''m about to add a 3rd Savannah cat to the pride. I posted a few months ago but that kitten arrived with a severe health problem so I had to send him back to the breeder.

This baby is a silver Savannah. He likes to jump backward in huge leaps so the challenge to find a name with African origins was on. Introducing Fehud Pavi Maliik -- silver grasshopper king. Baby thru current pics starting with 12 days old:

 

[Matata]

almost 3 wks.

 

[Matata]

5 weeks, the fuzzy stage

 

[Matata]

10wks

 

[Matata]

.

 

[Amethyste]

.... I know I am not Lynn - BUT THAT KITTY IS GORGEOUS!!!!!

 

[yssie]

awwwwww



Squishy, squishy, squishy

 

[Dreamer_D]

Wow, one of the most beautiful cats I have ever seen!

 

[zoebartlett]

Oh my gosh, he''s so cute! Those EARS!

 

[luv2sparkle]

What a beauty!

 

[packrat]

oh my gosh he is by far one of the most beautiful kitties I''ve ever seen!

 

[Luckyeshe]

What an absolutely beautiful fur baby!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

What a sweetheart. I have been meaning to ask. I have heard that bengals aren''t too far from domestics, but savannahs are a whole different ball game because servals are so tempermental and difficult. Do you find them to be much different from a regular cat?

 

[risingsun]

Date: 6/10/2010 11:40:14 PM
Author: brazen_irish_hussy
What a sweetheart. I have been meaning to ask. I have heard that bengals aren''t too far from domestics, but savannahs are a whole different ball game because servals are so tempermental and difficult. Do you find them to be much different from a regular cat?

I would like to know more about this breed as well. Your kitten is absolutely beautiful!

 

[dragonfly411]

He is GORGEOUS! I want to know more too!!!

 

[Matata]

Date: 6/10/2010 11:40:14 PM
Author: brazen_irish_hussy
What a sweetheart. I have been meaning to ask. I have heard that bengals aren''t too far from domestics, but savannahs are a whole different ball game because servals are so tempermental and difficult. Do you find them to be much different from a regular cat?

The differences between Savannahs & domestic cats depends on the filial generation of the Savannah. The percentage of serval genes usually dictates the cat''s disposition but a lot also depends on how well socialized the cat is by the breeder and then by the owner. Males are sterile usually through the 4th generation. There are some fertile F4 males and they are prized by breeders because by breeding them back to an F2 female, you increase the percentage of serval genes.

F1 Savannahs have a serval parent and are a minimum 50% serval. Like the serval, they tend to bond with 1 or 2 people, don''t like change, and usually don''t like to be held. They bond so strongly to their owners that they have a tendency to go psychotic if they have to be given up and placed in another home. There are F1s who defy this description of course, but I wouldn''t risk taking one on as a pet. I''ve met F1s who will kill any cat they come in contact with and I''ve met some who are as sweet and calm as can be.

F2 Savannahs are a minimum of 25% serval and have a serval grandparent. My Juba Kai is an F2 and is 34% serval. His father is one of those rare fertile F4 Savannahs. The new baby is 25% serval. His mom is an F2 Savannah and his dad is an Egyptian Mau. F2s may not be lap cats or like cuddling. Their habits in the home are much like a domestic cat. Again, it depends on the temperament of the parents and the socialization. Juba is very cuddly and likes to sit in my lap – unfortunately he''s so big he can''t fit in my lap and we have major spillage. LOL.

Higher generation cats tend to get bored easily and that''s when they get in trouble which is why breeders recommend getting 2 or having a dog or older children to keep the cat company. A bored high generation Savannah can be destructive and develop bad behaviors and temperament issues. They are wicked smart and really really fun. Their intelligence is the main reason why you have to be willing to take time to train them. You also have to spend a lot of time interacting with them and introducing them to new people & situations or they can become fearful and reclusive. My Taji, who is an F6 (1/16 serval) is very fearful of strangers and an all-around scaredy cat. No matter what I do to help him overcome his fear, it doesn''t work. Ironically, he has the negative traits that are more likely to appear in an F1 or F2.

Characteristics that are common, particularly in the higher generations, are an enormous energy level, walking on a leash, playing fetch, talking a lot, following their owners around to help with whatever they are doing, giving delicious head bonks to show affection, and being addicted to playing in water. Like the serval, they like high places and tend to favor the tops of doors and cabinets.

Of all the generations, F2s are my favorite – the perfect blend of wild & tame with a dash of dog thrown in. Savannah cats are illegal in some states & countries.

 

[dragonfly411]

Matata - thank you for that info! I take it there are breeders throughout the country?

 

[Matata]

Date: 6/11/2010 1:10:22 PM
Author: dragonfly411
Matata - thank you for that info! I take it there are breeders throughout the country?

Yep, you can find a breeder list here www.savannahcat.com. There are some very unethical breeders on this list. If you are considering a savannah, PM me when PS 2.0 is up and running and I''ll give you a list of those that are either trustworthy or at least don''t have anything bad circulating out there about them.

 

[Lynn B]

OHMYWOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRD!!!! Matata!!! He is sooooooooooooooooo adorable!!!

THANK YOU for sharing!!!

I can't believe you are getting a THIRD Savannah!!!!

How fun and exciting!!! Oh my goodness, things are really gonna be HOPPIN' around your house soon!!!

How do you think the other boys will adjust???!!!

How did you find him?!!! Will you have to have him shipped, or he is local enough to go get him yourself?

Ohmyeverlovin'stars, he is simply 100% adorable and PERFECT!!! That baby picture is TDF!

How big should he get?

How much do the other guys weigh these days?!

And how about some recent pictures, please, MOM????!!

OH! Soooo excited to watch this little guy grow up!!!

 

[Matata]

Date: 6/11/2010 8:49:11 PM
Author: Lynn B

How do you think the other boys will adjust???!!!
I could bring an elephant into the house and Juba wouldn''t bat an eye. He''ll try to mother the kitten just like he did with Taji. Taji is temperamental, doesn''t like change so he''ll sulk for awhile and give major stink eye to the kitten and eventually, I hope, adjust to having a new playmate.


How did you find him?!!! Will you have to have him shipped, or he is local enough to go get him yourself?
I belong to a Yahoo group for breeders & owners where breeders list their kittens. I''m flying down to San Diego next Thursday to pick him up.

How big should he get
Not sure. His mom is huge but his dad is an Egyptian Mau and a medium sized cat, approx 12-14 lbs.[/b]


How much do the other guys weigh these days?!
Juba is 18 lbs, 3 feet long stretched full out from nose to base of tail, 15 inches high at the shoulder; Taji is 12 pounds, almost as long as Juba, 13 inches high at the shoulder.


And how about some recent pictures, please, MOM????!!
Recent pics at your command. The one of us in bed was taken by an over-enthusiastic hubby at 6 a.m. I was not a happy camper

 

[Matata]

Taji

 

[Matata]

The magnificent Juba Kai

 

[portia]

Matata, Your new Savannah kitten is absolutely adorable!! Such a cute face! Wow... 3 Savannahs? You must have your hands full! LOL I love Savannahs and would love to have another one someday. Enjoy your new kitten and please post more pics!