The key difference between Bengal and Savannah cats is that the Bengal cat is a result of a crossbreeding Asian leopard cat with domestic cats, whereas the Savannah cat is a result of crossing a Siamese cat with a wild Serval.
Both Bengal and Savannah cats are hybrid breeds created by crossing domestic cats with wildcat ancestors. These breeds exhibit exotic appearances with unique coat patterns. Moreover, these cats are known for their lively and energetic personalities. They are active and playful, requiring plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. Bengal Cats
3. Savannah Cats
4. Similarities – Bengal and Savannah Cats
5. Bengal vs. Savannah Cats in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Bengal vs. Savannah Cats
Bengal Cats
The Bengal cat is a domesticated cat breed resulting from crossbreeding the Asian leopard cat with domestic cats, particularly the spotted Egyptian Mau. To ensure a friendly personality in the kittens, they are often bred with a more domesticated breed, as the wildcat’s friendly traits may not be guaranteed after the initial crossbreeding.
Bengal cats have a wild look with a golden shimmer from their leopard cat ancestry. Their coats can have spots, rosettes, arrowhead markings, or marbling. Bengals have almond-shaped eyes that come in various shades like hazel, brown, green, gold, or copper. The Bengal cat is a medium to large-sized cat with spots on its coat. They have long and slim bodies because of their strong muscles. Female Bengals can weigh around 6 lbs., while males can weigh up to 15 lbs., making them bigger than regular house cats. Moreover, Bengal cats are a lively breed that requires plenty of exercise and playtime. On average, they have a lifespan of 10 to 16 years.
Bengal cats are generally healthy, but there are a few notable diseases within the breed, including distal neuropathy, flat-chested kitten syndrome, hip dysplasia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, patellar luxation, and progressive retinal atrophy.
Savannah Cats
The Savannah cat, introduced in the late 20th century, is a tall and elegant breed. It’s a hybrid created by crossing a Siamese cat with a wild serval. The cat still shows its wild traits, with big perked ears, long legs, and a spotted coat, but it’s also friendly like a regular pet. Adult Savannah cats can reach a height of up to 17 inches and weigh around 25 pounds, although this may vary depending on their generation. First-generation crosses (F1 and F2) tend to be larger and have stunning spotted coats in shades of brown, tan, and black. Later generations have the same beautiful colors and patterns, but they are smaller and more docile as they become further removed from their wild ancestor.
Savannah cats are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and curiosity, but they may not be the best fit for first-time cat owners. These cats have an average life span of 12 to 20 years. Although they are generally healthy, they may suffer from health conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, male sterility (early generations), pyruvate kinase deficiency, and taurine deficiencies.
What are the Similarities Between Bengal and Savannah Cats?
- Both Bengal and Savannah cats are hybrid breeds created by crossing domestic cats with wildcat ancestors.
- These breeds exhibit exotic appearances with unique coat patterns.
- Moreover, these cats are known for their lively and energetic personalities. They are active and playful, requiring plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy.
- They are highly intelligent and curious.
- Both breeds tend to be larger than normal housecats.
What is the Difference Between Bengal and Savannah Cats?
The Bengal cat is a result of a crossbreeding Asian leopard cat with a domestic cat, whereas the Savannah cat is a result of crossing a Siamese cat with a wild Serval. Thus, this is the key difference between Bengal and Savannah cats. Another important difference between Bengal and Savannah cats is their size. Savannah cats are larger than Bengal cats. In fact, the former is known as one of the largest breeds of cats. Savannah cats can weigh between 12 to 25 pounds, whereas Bengal cats can weigh between 8 to 15 pounds. Moreover, Bengal cats have an average lifespan of 9 to 15 years, while Savannah cats have an average lifespan of 12 to 20 years.
Below is a summary of the difference between Bengal and Savannah cats in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Bengal vs. Savannah Cats
A Bengal cat is a result of a crossbreeding Asian leopard cat with domestic cats, whereas a Savannah cat is a result of crossing a Siamese cat with a wild Serval. Savannah cats are larger than Bengal cats. However, Bengal cats have a longer life span. So, this is the summary of the difference between Bengal and Savannah cats.
Reference:
1. “Bengal Cats: Facts & History Behind The Breed.” Rawz Natural Pet Food.
2. “Savannah Cats.” Daily Paws.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Bengal cat, 12 weeks old (2308642374)” By Sean McGrath from Saint John, NB, Canada – Baby Atticus (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Full body portrait of a 4-month old F1 Savannah cat” (CC0) via Raw Pixel