Savannah cat

• Hybrid of domestic cat and African serval.
• Savannah cats show significant genotypic variations depending on generation and individual pedigree. For example, F1 males weigh 8–11kg and stand 40–45cm at the shoulder. F4 and F5 males can weigh 6.3–8.2kg and stand 32–38cm at the shoulder.
• Neck is long, lean.
• Legs are long, slender.
• Face is triangular.
• Ears are large.
• Toes are elongated.
• Fur colour varies, with combinations of black, brown-spotted tabby, silver-spotted tabby, black smoke.
• Coat pattern resembles wild serval, with spots and other bold markings.

• Likely to prefer similar habitats to those of feral cats and African servals.
• Feral cats are found throughout Queensland in most habitats and climatic extremes, so feral-serval crossbreeds are likely to have the same adaptability.
• African servals prefer tropical savanna habitats, but will also inhabit arid areas and high-altitude, low-temperature environments.

• Not currently known.

• Life expectancy is unknown but predicted to be around 15 years, similar to domestic cats.
• Sexual maturity age is unknown and varies from 7–24 months depending on pedigree.
• Gestation is 63–73 days.
• 1–5 kittens per litter.

Environmental

• Likely increased predation on small and medium-sized native species.
• May breed with feral cats, providing genetic characteristics such as increased size and hunting efficiency.

• If you see or are in possession of a savannah cat, contact our Customer Service Centre within 24 hours.

• Savannah cat is a prohibited invasive animal under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
• You must not keep, move, give away, sell or release into the environment. Penalties may apply.
• You must not take any action reasonably likely to exacerbate the biosecurity threat posed by savannah cats.
• You must take any action that is reasonably likely to minimise the biosecurity threat posed by savannah cats.
• You must report all sightings to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours.