Serengeti cat
 | This article needs more citations. (January 2010) |
| Serengeti | |
|---|---|
 A male Serengeti | |
| Origin | United States |
| Foundation bloodstock | Oriental Shorthair, Bengal cat |
| Breed standards | |
| TICA | standard |
| Feline hybrid (Felis catus × Prionailurus bengalensis) | |
The Serengeti is a hybrid breed of domestic cat, first developed by crossing a Bengal (domestic × wild Asian leopard cat hybrid) and an Oriental Shorthair.
History
[edit]The breed was created by biologist[1] Karen Sausman of Kingsmark Cattery in California in 1994, the breed is still in the development stages, but the ultimate aim is to produce a cat that looks similar to a serval, without using any recent wild cat blood.[2]
Bengal cats originate from hybridisation of leopard cats and domestic cats.[3] Most Bengal cats used in Serengeti breeding programs are many generations removed from these origins and possess few genetic contributions of the wild forebears except alleles affecting coat colour.[citation needed] From the Bengal × Oriental cross came the first foundation Serengeti.[citation needed] Breeders then worked with the cat to produce a cat that resembles the breed profile set by the cat registries.[4]
Breed recognition
[edit]Recognised and registered by The International Cat Association (TICA), no other first generation crosses can be registered as Serengeti.[4][5][citation needed]
Characteristics
[edit]Serengetis are spotted cats, with long legs and very large, round tipped ears.[4] They have a long neck which blends with the base of the skull without tapering.[4] Males are generally slightly larger and heavier than females and can weigh between 5–7 kg (10–15 lb); females generally weigh between 4–5 kg (8–12 lb).[2]
They come in black (TICA: "ebony", UK: "brown") tabby or solid, and with or without silver or smoke. And spots can be black or dark brown on a tan, light beige or gold background. The silver has black spots on a silver background. Ghost spotting can sometimes be seen on the solid black version.[citation needed]
Health
[edit]Serengeti cats are generally a healthy breed, with a few health issues, such as urinary crystals.[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Serengeti Mixed Cat Breed Pictures, Characteristics, & Facts". CatTime.
- 1 2 "Serengeti". The International Cat Association. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ "Bengal". The International Cat Association. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Serengeti Breed". www.tica.org. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ↑ "Registration Rules" (PDF). The International Cat Association. 2 December 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
- ↑ "Serengeti Cat: Breed Info, Pictures, Care, Traits & Facts". Hepper Pet Resources. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
External links
[edit]- The International Serengeti Cat Club
- Further information about Serengetis Archived 2015-12-05 at the Wayback Machine
