<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-51854" title="serval by yellow flowers" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-by-yellow-flowers-1024x589.jpg" alt="serval by yellow flowers" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-by-yellow-flowers-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-by-yellow-flowers-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-by-yellow-flowers-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-by-yellow-flowers.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
If you&#8217;ve ever visited a conservation center, you may have met a serval or two. They are one of the most sought-after illegal pets. By looking around their enclosure, you can see these cats have different requirements than a house cat and would not be overjoyed to be locked indoors all day, or really, for their entire lives. Servals are every bit as socially awkward as your housecat, except this kitty catches over 4,000 rodents annually.
&nbsp;
<h2>What is a Serval?</h2>
<figure id="attachment_52087" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-52087" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-52087" title="serval face" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-face-1024x589.jpg" alt="serval face" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-face-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-face-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-face-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-face.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-52087" class="wp-caption-text">Servals are designed to blend in flawlessly with the grassy savannah. Source: Canva</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
Servals are medium-sized <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.petmojo.com/animals-unique-to-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wildcats native to South Africa</a>. Their beauty is so haunting that it will stop you in your tracks. However, don&#8217;t be fooled by their gorgeous looks. These cats are wild and need plenty of space to roam. They are high-energy and have different requirements than regular house cats, and <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.petmojo.com/most-expensive-cat-breeds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">they can be as costly as a new luxury car</a>.
&nbsp;
Though it requires a special permit to own any large cats legally, no permit is needed with servals. <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.petmojo.com/savannah-cats-things-to-know-about-these-exotic-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Savannah cats</a> are created by crossing a domesticated house cat with a serval. There are different standards for savannah cats bred with servals because those kittens will be the closest to a wild serval that you can legally get.
&nbsp;
<div class="wDYxhc" data-attrid="kc:/biology/organism_classification:scientific name and meaning" data-md="1001" data-hveid="CBsQAA" data-ved="2ahUKEwiWxPas4dWMAxXw6ckDHcVBDNMQkCl6BAgbEAA">
<div class="Z1hOCe">
<div class="zloOqf PZPZlf" data-ved="2ahUKEwiWxPas4dWMAxXw6ckDHcVBDNMQyxMoAHoECBsQAQ">
<div>
<figure id="attachment_52190" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-52190" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-52190" title="savannah kitten (1)" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/savannah-kitten-1-1024x589.jpg" alt="savannah kitten (1)" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/savannah-kitten-1-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/savannah-kitten-1-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/savannah-kitten-1-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/savannah-kitten-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-52190" class="wp-caption-text">The savannah kitten pictured looks like a serval and a domesticated cat. Source: Canva</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
</div>
<h4>Scientific Name: Leptailurus serval </h4>
<h4>Class: Mammalia</h4>
<h4>Domain: Eukaryota</h4>
<h4> </h4>
<h3>Appearance</h3>
Servals are unique-looking creatures. They have the largest ears of any wild cat. Their ears are not pointed like a typical cat&#8217;s; instead, they are long but rounded. They look somewhat similar to cheetahs with their black spots and yellowish fur. They also have dark areas around their eyes, as if they have dark tear stains. The coloring of the cat&#8217;s fur helps them blend in with the savannah background when hunting.
 
</div>
</div>
</div>
<figure id="attachment_52085" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-52085" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-52085" title="serval close up" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-close-up-1024x589.jpg" alt="serval close up" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-close-up-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-close-up-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-close-up-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-close-up.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-52085" class="wp-caption-text">If humans had ears like a serval, they would need to be the size of dinner plates. Source: Canva</figcaption></figure>
<h3></h3>
<h3>Size</h3>
19 &#8211; 40 pounds and 23 inches long, not including tail.
 
<h3>Habitat</h3>
The serval lives predominantly in South Africa, though it can be found anywhere except Central Equatorial Africa. Servals live their entire lives in wide open grassy stretches of savannah. Within the savannah, they can be found in wetlands, bamboo thickets, and high-altitude moorlands.
The southernmost point of the continent is not inhabited by servals, nor is the Sahara Desert. The cats stick to the semi-arid savannah, where birds and rodents are plentiful because there is a source of water.
 
<figure id="attachment_52091" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-52091" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-52091" title="serval walking" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-walking-1024x589.jpg" alt="serval walking" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-walking-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-walking-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-walking-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-walking.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-52091" class="wp-caption-text">Serval walking Source: Canva</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
<h3>Diet</h3>
It&#8217;s a bit funny, but servals really love eating locusts. They would be delighted if you offered them a bowl filled with locusts! They eat other creatures found in the grassy desert area, too. Where there is water, tons of animals that need it to survive will hang out around it. The serval&#8217;s typical diet consists of rodents like swamp rats, grass mice, multimammate mice, golden moles, shrews,
Servals will not eat carrion. They are royalty and refuse to stoop as low as to scavenge for food scraps left by a larger animal.
 
<h3>Reproduction</h3>
Servals typically have either two or four kittens in each litter. The mother serval raises kittens alone since servals prefer to live solitary lives. Throughout the day, the mother serval slips out to hunt while the kittens sleep. Like a human single mother, servals have a tremendous job to do in a short amount of time. Her kittens will always be hungry or need their mother somehow, so she will need to go quickly whenever she sneaks off to hunt.
Servals make good mothers and will typically periodically move their kittens to new hiding spots in case predators have been thinking about coming a little too close.
&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_52090" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-52090" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-52090" title="serval talking" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-talking-1024x589.jpg" alt="serval talking" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-talking-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-talking-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-talking-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-talking.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-52090" class="wp-caption-text">Servals love to talk! Source: Canva</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
<h3>Lifespan</h3>
Like a domesticated cat, it can live up to 23 years, though most will not survive past 10 years in the wild. In captivity, servals could live to 23 years old. The average house cat lives to be 12.
&nbsp;
<h2>Can You Have a Serval as a Pet?</h2>
<figure id="attachment_52088" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-52088" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-52088" title="serval friends" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-friends-1024x589.jpg" alt="serval friends" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-friends-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-friends-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-friends-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serval-friends.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-52088" class="wp-caption-text">Servals are not social animals and tend to only get together to mate, then they are off on a new adventure. Source: Canva</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
Servals can legally be pets in most states, but should they be? In 2022, the Big Cat Public Safety Act was passed, prohibiting anyone in the United States from owning a lion, tiger, or other large cat. Unfortunately, the serval was not covered in the Act. In North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, Nevada, Wisconsin, Texas, and Delaware, it is 100% legal to own a serval, which is still 100% a wild animal, no matter where you put it.
&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_52188" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-52188" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-52188" title="adorable young serval" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/adorable-young-serval-1024x589.jpg" alt="adorable young serval" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/adorable-young-serval-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/adorable-young-serval-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/adorable-young-serval-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/adorable-young-serval.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-52188" class="wp-caption-text">This adorable young serval is taking a break from all of its adventures. Source: Canva</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
The ethical question of whether servals should be kept as pets is easy if you respect nature. Servals can be kept in apartment buildings, with other pets and even children, but it is not likely that a properly educated human would want to live in a house with a 40-pound wild animal. Unfortunately, with the rich, there is no limit to what they are willing to pay for in terms of their wants.
&nbsp;
<h3>The First Savannah Kitten</h3>
<figure id="attachment_48395" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-48395" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-48395" title="F1 Savannah Cat" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-1024x589.jpg" alt="F1 Savannah Cat" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-48395" class="wp-caption-text">Some savannah kittens look almost like a wild serval. Source: Canva</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
On April 7th, 1986, in Pennsylvania, a half-domesticated short-haired <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.petmojo.com/seal-point-siamese-breed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seal point Siamese cat</a> and an African serval welcomed their kitten, later named &#8220;Miracle,&#8221; to the world. The cats were both staying with Judee Frank, while the serval&#8217;s owner, Suzi Wood, went through a divorce. Frank was a Bengal cat breeder, and it is possible that she and Wood were discussing breeding Wood&#8217;s male serval, Ernie, to Frank&#8217;s female, and that Wood would be allowed to keep one kitten from the pairing. Ernie had other plans!
&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_52189" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-52189" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-52189" title="newborn savannah kitten" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/newborn-savannah-kitten-1024x589.jpg" alt="newborn savannah kitten" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/newborn-savannah-kitten-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/newborn-savannah-kitten-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/newborn-savannah-kitten-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/newborn-savannah-kitten.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-52189" class="wp-caption-text">This tiny savannah kitten was just born. Source: Canva</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
Servals were bred with domesticated short-haired cats to cater to a broader group and create a more manageable hybrid. Please check out our other <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.petmojo.com/search/serval/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">articles on servals</a> and which of the <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.petmojo.com/what-is-an-f1-savannah-cat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">different grades of Savannah cat</a> is closest to being a serval versus which is the furthest. Servals are simply amazing animals, and being in the presence of one is breathtaking. Savannah cats are every bit as amazing, just with a side of domesticated cat attitude.

Some bizarre animals can be kept as a pet, but what about servals? Find out all of the details regarding whether or not these beautiful cats can be your roommate.

Can You Have a Serval Cat as a Pet?

Cats are lap-sized animals, but some cat breeds can be over twice their size. Is the Maine Coon cat is the largest in the world?

Is the Maine Coon the Largest Domestic Cat?

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-51835" title="angry black footed cat" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/angry-black-footed-cat-1024x589.jpg" alt="angry black footed cat" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/angry-black-footed-cat-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/angry-black-footed-cat-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/angry-black-footed-cat-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/angry-black-footed-cat.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Cats&#8230;the internet loves them, musicians and movie stars love them, they are &#8220;cooler&#8221; than dogs, and they make the best roommates. What about this little grey and brown tabby cat makes it so much more deadly (highly skilled at it) than house cats, feral cats, big cats, and most animals? Don&#8217;t let their small frame fool you into believing their behavior is cute, cuddly, and even kitten-like. This is not the loving biscuit-maker you hoped for, this is the murder cat.
&nbsp;
<h2>Meet the Black-Footed Cat</h2>
<figure id="attachment_51808" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-51808" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-51808" title="black footed wild cat" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/black-footed-wild-cat-1024x590.jpg" alt="black footed wild cat" width="1024" height="590" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/black-footed-wild-cat-1024x590.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/black-footed-wild-cat-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/black-footed-wild-cat-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/black-footed-wild-cat.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-51808" class="wp-caption-text">Black-footed cats share many characteristics with house cats. Credit: Image by Patrick Ch. Apfeld</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
<h4>Scientific Name  </h4>
Common Name: Black Footed Cat
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata (Vertebrata)
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felinae (Felis)
Species: nigripes
&nbsp;
<h4>Appearance </h4>
The appearance of the lovely and spicy black-footed cat is almost surreal because it looks almost exactly like a miniature domesticated grey and brown tabby. This fierce kitty has no problem letting anyone know they aren&#8217;t playing games—well, at least not the type of games that small prey animals might enjoy.
 
The black-footed cat is a bit different than usual wild cats. It has pink skin, like a house cat. Its paw pads and fur around the bottom of the paw are black, which is what gives it its name. They are small, compact cats that closely resemble domesticated grey, brown, and black tabby cats, which are quite common.
 
This cat has black spots along its back and stomach that are typically not seen in domesticated cats, except with wild cats and domesticated mixes such as the <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/what-is-an-f1-savannah-cat/">Savannah cat</a>. The half-house cat, the half-serval animal, is bred to look as much like a serval as the breeders can get because they are worth more money that way. <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/can-cats-see-in-darkness/">The black-footed cat has very large eyes to help it spot its next victim in the black of night</a>.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_51843" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-51843" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-51843" title="black-footed cat (Felis nigripes)" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Felis_nigripes_9-1024x682.jpeg" alt="black-footed cat (Felis nigripes)" width="1024" height="682" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Felis_nigripes_9-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Felis_nigripes_9-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Felis_nigripes_9-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Felis_nigripes_9.jpeg 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-51843" class="wp-caption-text">The black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) is only found in South Africa. Source: Pierre de Chabannes pour/ Photozoo.org, CC BY-SA 2.5</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
<h4>Size</h4>
The <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/smallest-wild-cats-in-the-world/">tiny black-footed cat is half the size of a typical 10-pound housecat.</a> These cats average a weight of 2.4 &#8211; 4.2 pounds. The females are usually smaller. A male black-footed cat can measure between 14 &#8211; 17 inches long, not including its tail. Their tails are another 6 &#8211; 10 inches in length and very strong, used as a balancing rod when the cats climb steep surfaces. They stand 8 &#8211; 10 inches tall.
 
<h4>Diet</h4>
There is little in the savannah grasslands that the petite black-footed cat won&#8217;t at least try to eat. The <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/how-do-cats-hunt-without-making-noise/">small cat is an excellent hunter as it silently blends in with the savannah</a> background. The abundance of small animals that are perfect prey for the cat helps to give the cat an advantage.
&nbsp;
The savannah doesn&#8217;t have many predators, like you might find in a forest. It is home to plenty of rodents, insects, reptiles, birds, and arachnids to keep the belly of the black-footed cat full. Because of its small size and heightened energy requirements, the black-footed cat requires more meals, more often than other wild cats in the area. This is why the black-footed cat was given the title of the world&#8217;s most deadly cat.
 
<figure id="attachment_51849" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-51849" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-51849" title="Wuppertal Zoo Felis nigripes 01 ies" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Wuppertal_-_Zoo_-_Felis_nigripes_01_ies-1024x683.jpg" alt="Wuppertal Zoo black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) 0" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Wuppertal_-_Zoo_-_Felis_nigripes_01_ies-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Wuppertal_-_Zoo_-_Felis_nigripes_01_ies-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Wuppertal_-_Zoo_-_Felis_nigripes_01_ies-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Wuppertal_-_Zoo_-_Felis_nigripes_01_ies-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Wuppertal_-_Zoo_-_Felis_nigripes_01_ies-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-51849" class="wp-caption-text">Black-footed cats (Felis nigripes) can be seen at natural history or science centers, conservation centers, and zoos. Source: Frank Vincentz/ CC BY-SA 3.0</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
Just to keep their energy and health up, these cats will kill an average of 14 prey animals a night! Now, we aren&#8217;t talking about taking down large prey. The black-footed cat is tiny, just like its prey, so it&#8217;s possible the 14 nightly kills might be 14 spiders. One of their favorite foods is locusts. Not every meal is a fresh kill. They eat leftovers just like humans do, only they might be eating someone much larger&#8217;s leftovers.
&nbsp;
<h4>Habitat</h4>
The black-footed cat is a citizen of the arid South African deserts in Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Angola. At one point, these little cats were also found in Botswana, though they had not been seen there in a long time. The cats live amongst the sandy grasslands of the savannah, where there are plenty of hiding places for prey to hide or for the cat to have a camouflaged den for their kittens.
 
The black-footed cat is known to make its den in holes found in termite mounds or abandoned dens that animals once dug. The long grass of the savannah attracts birds and rodents because of the safety it offers in the grassy plains, which is one reason the cats choose this area.
&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_51842" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-51842" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-51842" title="scared black footed cat" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/scared-black-footed-cat-1024x682.jpeg" alt="scared black footed cat" width="1024" height="682" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/scared-black-footed-cat-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/scared-black-footed-cat-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/scared-black-footed-cat-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/scared-black-footed-cat.jpeg 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-51842" class="wp-caption-text">The black footed cat must be careful that it doesn&#8217;t become a meal for a larger wildcat. Source: Pierre de Chabannes pour/ Photozoo.org/ CC BY-SA 2.5</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
<h4>Reproduction</h4>
Female black-footed cats reach sexual maturity around 8 &#8211; 12 months of age. This is quite different from our domesticated cats, who are capable of reproducing at 3 &#8211; 4 months old, though most often the cats reach sexual maturity at six months old. The numbers of black-footed cats compared with domesticated cats show how a longer time to reach maturity can negatively impact the small animals&#8217; population numbers.
 
Domesticated cats are overpopulated everywhere a city exists. <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/should-you-interact-with-feral-cats/">Feral cats are attracted to cities</a>, where a meal is easy to come by and where plenty of manmade hiding places exist. Unfortunately, overpopulation isn&#8217;t the only issue. A waterfall of problems arises from overpopulation. There isn&#8217;t enough territory or food to go around. Cats that are kept too closely together will fight; with fighting comes disease.
 
Male cats mark their territory, which isn&#8217;t welcomed anywhere because of its stinky smell. Big cats are the same and also spray urine to mark their territory. Another side effect of feline overpopulation is the rise of fleas. Fleas caused the Black Plague, not rats. The fleas infected the cats, which isn&#8217;t just annoying to humans sharing the same space. It can eventually kill the cat due to anemia and can cause other severe health issues.
&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_51848" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-51848" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-51848" title="Close up of black-footed cat" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Black_Footed_Cat_Up_Close-1024x682.jpg" alt="Charles Barilleaux mrguilt@gmail.com" width="1024" height="682" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Black_Footed_Cat_Up_Close-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Black_Footed_Cat_Up_Close-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Black_Footed_Cat_Up_Close-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Black_Footed_Cat_Up_Close-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Black_Footed_Cat_Up_Close-2048x1364.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-51848" class="wp-caption-text">Black-footed cats enjoy lazing around during the day, napping and gathering energy for the night&#8217;s hunt. Source: Charles Barilleaux/ CC BY 2.0</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
<h4>Lifespan</h4>
Like most felines, black-footed cats&#8217; lifespans can vary widely from living in the wild to living in a zoo. In captivity, they can live for up to 18 years, though it is very rare one lives that long. Most black-footed cats in captivity live to be around 10 years old.
 
In the wild, it is up to nature whether or not they survive. If water and food are available in a location that is safe from predators and other natural elements, the cats might live to be 10 years old. Even when there appears to be no water available, <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/how-long-can-cats-go-without-water/">the little cat gets all the hydration it needs from the prey it eats.</a> 
&nbsp;
<h2>Conservation Efforts for Black-Footed Cats</h2>
<figure id="attachment_51841" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-51841" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-51841" title="Black Footed Cat BrookfielZoo2" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Black-Footed_Cat-BrookfielZoo2-1024x642.jpg" alt="Black Footed Cat BrookfielZoo2" width="1024" height="642" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Black-Footed_Cat-BrookfielZoo2-1024x642.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Black-Footed_Cat-BrookfielZoo2-300x188.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Black-Footed_Cat-BrookfielZoo2-768x482.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Black-Footed_Cat-BrookfielZoo2-1536x963.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Black-Footed_Cat-BrookfielZoo2-2048x1284.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-51841" class="wp-caption-text">The nocturnal black-footed cat watches for movement on the grassy savannah. Source: Jonathan Kriz/ CC BY 2.0,</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
Botswana and South Africa are forbidden from hunting small cats, and they are also protected by national legislation throughout most of their habitat. The elusive cat is excellent at going unnoticed as it silently stalks prey at night.
 
Much remains to be learned about these interesting, shy cats. It is a little tricky to understand that this 3-pound cat is the murderer with the highest headcount. The tenacious, sneaky black-footed cat is excellent at flying beneath the radar, so they are still alive in large numbers. 
 
Interested in discovering more about the adorable serial killer: the black-footed cat? YouTube has amazing<a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=black+footed+cats/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> videos of black-footed cats in the wild</a>, rescue, and captivity. Be sure to check them out and be prepared to be blown away.
 
&nbsp;

Did you expect something a bit bigger when picturing the world's deadliest cat? Let’s discuss what makes this cute little black-footed cat so fatal.

The Black-Footed Cat: The World’s Deadliest Feline

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-48399" title="F1 Savannah Cat (3)" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-3-1024x589.jpg" alt="F1 Savannah Cat (3)" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-3-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-3-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-3-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-3.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Cats are increasingly important in our culture and lives. They provide companionship without the neediness of a dog (sometimes) and can live to be over 20 years old. Many homes have more exotic species of felines, like the Savannah cat or Bengal. These cats also have enormous adoption costs and require care different from that of your usual house cat. One big difference is the amount of exercise they need. Let&#8217;s look at an F1 Savannah cat and what to expect.
&nbsp;
<h2>Meet the Savannah Cat</h2>
<figure id="attachment_48395" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-48395" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-48395 size-large" title="F1 Savannah Cat" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-1024x589.jpg" alt="F1 Savannah Cat" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-48395" class="wp-caption-text">Owning a Savannah cat is like having a semi-wild animal in your home. Source: Canva</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
The first <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/savannah-cats-things-to-know-about-these-exotic-animals/">Savannah cat</a> was born on April 7, 1986, and soon, the popularity of the cats spread through other households. The creation of the species was an accident when Judee Frank&#8217;s Siamese cat became pregnant by the serval that lived next door. Frank did not even know her cat was pregnant. The first Savannah cat&#8217;s name was Savannah, and the name was stuck as a breed identifier.
&nbsp;
Savannah cats are spectacular-looking spotted cats that are half serval and half domesticated cats. They are <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/most-expensive-cat-breeds/">very expensive</a> and fairly rare because of it. These cats are much taller and longer than your average housecat. Their necks are very long, giving them a look of elegance. They can be bred with a serval to produce a Savannah cat that looks closer to its wild parent and less like a domesticated cat. Other times, a domesticated cat of any type is bred with a serval.
&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_49054" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-49054" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-49054" title="F1 Savannah Cat (2)" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-2-1-1024x589.jpg" alt="F1 Savannah Cat (2)" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-2-1-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-2-1-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-2-1-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-2-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-49054" class="wp-caption-text">F1 Savannah cat spots Source: Canva</figcaption></figure>
<h4></h4>
<h4>Appearance:</h4>
Gorgeous with black or dark brown spots over a lighter-colored body. Typically, it is tan or light brown, but other variations can happen when the domesticated cat&#8217;s fur color is dark or tabby. They have enormous rounded bat-like ears with white ocelli to scare off predators that may believe the black and white on the Savannah cat&#8217;s ears to be big eyes.
 
Savannah cats&#8217; facial markings also make the species look like its wild African parent. They have dark tear stains and winged eyes with cheetah-like markings. They also have very long legs, wide noses, and hooded eyes, like the serval. The body is long and muscular, with the hindquarters slightly higher than the front.
<h4> </h4>
<h4>Size:</h4>
The height of an average F1 Savannah cat is 17 inches, F2 is 15 inches, F3 is 13.5 inches, and F2, which is the closest to the domesticated cat&#8217;s appearance, is 11 inches. The Savannah cat&#8217;s length is 20 &#8211; 22 inches.
*The tallest cat on record is an F2 Savannah cat measuring 19 inches tall!
<h4> </h4>
<h4>Weight:</h4>
12 &#8211; 20 pounds, though some have seen these cats weigh as much as 40 pounds. Clearly, this was not a healthy weight, and they were likely <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cat-obesity/">severely obese</a>, which is cruel and can seriously affect their health. Exercise is a must for these cats. If they do not get it, they will become destructive, overweight, and depressed.
 
&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_49055" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-49055" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-49055" title="Savannah Cat (2)" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Savannah-Cat-2-1024x589.jpg" alt="Savannah Cat (2)" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Savannah-Cat-2-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Savannah-Cat-2-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Savannah-Cat-2-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Savannah-Cat-2.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-49055" class="wp-caption-text">Savannah cat Source: canva</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
<h4>Lifespan and Temperament:</h4>
These cats can live 12 &#8211; 20+ years. They are loyal and playful, similar to a dog, more so than a cat. They aren&#8217;t all lap cats but are affectionate. <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/games-that-cats-like-to-play/">They love to play with their toys</a> and may play alone for hours. These are cats that can growl and hiss at new people, so it is absolutely crucial to socialize them as much as possible around safe people as soon as you get the kitten settled into its new home. They enjoy going for walks in the park, and most of them love water. This might be the perfect beach strolling buddy. 
 
<h4>Health Issues:</h4>
As with all cats, having them regularly checked for issues is essential. They should be on flea medicine and up to date on vaccinations. The one genetic disease the cats are prone to inheriting is Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency. Pyruvate Kinase is an enzyme in red blood cells that helps cats have energy. Cats with the disease have short-living red blood cells, leading to them becoming anemic. If the anemia is severe enough, it can kill the cat. A test from the breeder can check for this disease.
&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_49056" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-49056" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-49056" title="Guy holding Savannah Cat" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Guy-holding-Savannah-Cat-1024x589.jpg" alt="Guy holding Savannah Cat" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Guy-holding-Savannah-Cat-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Guy-holding-Savannah-Cat-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Guy-holding-Savannah-Cat-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Guy-holding-Savannah-Cat.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-49056" class="wp-caption-text">Man holding Savannah cat Source: canva</figcaption></figure>
<h4></h4>
<h4>Energy Level:</h4>
Very high, and exercise is crucial to keeping these cats from being destructive when bored. It is equally important to socialize these cats in positive environments when they are still kittens. People who do not put much work into these wild-like cats will have a relationship with them in which they both suffer. Think of what it&#8217;s like having an Angolian Shepherd; that&#8217;s what having a Savannah cat is like. Sometimes neurotic, always giggle-worthy, and someone who loves to play and explore.
 
An outdoor catio-style enclosure is recommended to let your cat get some fresh air. Savannah cats cannot be <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/do-cats-need-to-go-outside/">outdoor cats</a>, but they do enjoy running on a cat wheel or going for leash walks. They love playing with toys and will play for hours by themselves. Savannah cats also love a good game of fetch.
 
<h4>Behavior Issues:</h4>
Some male Savannah cats can be aggressive and territorial. They may spray inside your home, and once they&#8217;ve done so, they will be able to smell the area and remark as they see fit. They can also have a difficult time learning to use the litterbox. Remember, there aren&#8217;t any litterboxes in the wild. Some who have not socialized their cats enough can be bitten, hissed at, attacked, or have their furniture and items destroyed.
 
<h2>What&#8217;s an F1 Savannah Cat?</h2>
<figure id="attachment_48396" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-48396" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-48396" title="F1 Savannah Cat (1)" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-1-1024x589.jpg" alt="F1 Savannah Cat (1)" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-1-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-1-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-1-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-48396" class="wp-caption-text">Savannah Cat Source: Canva</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
An F1 Savannah cat is the closest to a serval the hybrid gets. This means it will look and probably act like a wild serval. The cat will be around 17 inches tall, have a long elegant neck, and long legs, with the rear legs slightly longer than the front. F1 stands for the cat&#8217;s size and how closely related to a serval it is. These cats are typically a mixture of a Savannah cat and a serval.
&nbsp;
The other types of Savannah cats are shorter and may or may not be bred with a domestic cat. All Savannah cats that look like servals are mostly servals since their Savannah cat&#8217;s mother or father is half-serval. This creates a cat that is 3/4 serval, which means you will need to spend a good amount of time training, <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/activities-to-bond-with-your-cat/">bonding with, and socializing the kitten</a>.
&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_48401" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-48401" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-48401" title="F1 Savannah Cat (5)" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-5-1024x589.jpg" alt="F1 Savannah Cat (5)" width="1024" height="589" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-5-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-5-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-5-768x442.jpg 768w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/F1-Savannah-Cat-5.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-48401" class="wp-caption-text">Savannah Cat Source: Canva</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.petmojo.com/what-to-consider-before-getting-cat/">Adopting a Savannah kitten is not for everyone</a>. It is important to remember that these are at least half wild animals from Africa, so the chances of them &#8220;hunting&#8221; any small pets in the household are very good. These highly intelligent cats are an excellent addition to the right family. Do plenty of research on the best breeders closest to you, and always read any reviews. Not all Savannah breeders are created equal.

Savannah cats are stunning and way more like a dog than other species of domesticated feline. Follow along as we meet the F1 Savannah cat.

What is an F1 Savannah Cat?

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-46466" title="fun interesting facts about jaguars" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/fun-interesting-facts-about-jaguars.jpg" alt="fun interesting facts about jaguars" width="1200" height="690" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/fun-interesting-facts-about-jaguars.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/fun-interesting-facts-about-jaguars-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/fun-interesting-facts-about-jaguars-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/fun-interesting-facts-about-jaguars-768x442.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
&nbsp;
I really love a big cat. They&#8217;re majestic, intimidating, and beyond gorgeous. Their paws are large and strong, and their eyes are stormy. Not to mention their long whiskers and uppity strides. Seriously, their beauty is out of this world. Jaguars (Panthera onca) are right at the top of my list, and I&#8217;d like to share some interesting facts with you.
&nbsp;
<h2>1. Jaguars Are the Biggest Cats in the Americas</h2>
<figure id="attachment_46472" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46472" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-46472" title="jaguar up close" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-up-close.jpg" alt="jaguar up close" width="1200" height="678" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-up-close.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-up-close-300x170.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-up-close-1024x579.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-up-close-768x434.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-46472" class="wp-caption-text">Jaguar in nature &#8211; Credit: Mikadun</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
There are only two cat species that can properly outsize jaguars. That would be the <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/why-is-the-lion-the-king-of-the-jungle/">king of the jungle</a> and the ferocious tiger. But at 9 feet long and 220 to 350 lbs., they easily walk away with the title of biggest cats in the Americas. It’s a small win, but still a win. You can take the title from them as soon as lions or tigers enter their territory. But for now, think of the jaguar as the rightful king of the Americas.
&nbsp;
<h2>2. Jaguars Have a Powerful Name</h2>
<figure id="attachment_46467" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46467" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-46467" title="jaguar behind leaves" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-behind-leaves.jpg" alt="jaguar behind leaves" width="1200" height="667" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-behind-leaves.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-behind-leaves-300x167.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-behind-leaves-1024x569.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-behind-leaves-768x427.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-46467" class="wp-caption-text">Jaguar between leaves &#8211; Credit: Staffan Widstrand</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
They may not be the biggest of all the big cats, but I think jaguars are nothing but power and beastliness. It&#8217;s not just their sharp teeth that say don’t even try to mess with me. Kings of the Americas, remember? Powerful cats should have powerful names, and the word jaguar is exactly that. It comes from the Tupi-Guarani (a native South American subfamily) word, yaguara or yaguareté. Jaguar actually means “true, fierce beast who kills in one leap.”
&nbsp;
How&#8217;s that for powerful?
&nbsp;
<h2>3. Jaguars Eat Almost Anything</h2>
<figure id="attachment_46469" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46469" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-46469" title="jaguar eating" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-eating.jpg" alt="jaguar eating" width="1200" height="641" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-eating.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-eating-300x160.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-eating-1024x547.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-eating-768x410.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-46469" class="wp-caption-text">Jaguar eating on rocks &#8211; Credit: Kirandeep Singh Walia</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
I thought all <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/top-apex-predators-characteristics/">apex predators</a> enjoy steak for dinner every night. But apparently I was wrong.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.fws.gov/species/jaguar-panthera-onca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jaguars eat more than 85 different animal species</a>. Read that again. 85 different animal species! That includes everything from rodents and reptiles to capybaras. You won&#8217;t find a vegan jag snacking on leaves or plants anytime soon. They need meat and they need it every day, unlike some of the other <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/big-cats-everything-you-need-to-know/">big cats</a>. They can devour 2.6 to 3.3 lbs. of protein every single day. And the longer they go without food, the more vicious they become and the bigger their next meal.
&nbsp;
<h2>4. Jaguars Have a Powerful Bite Force</h2>
<figure id="attachment_46473" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46473" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-46473" title="yawning jaguar" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/yawning-jaguar.jpg" alt="yawning jaguar" width="1200" height="682" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/yawning-jaguar.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/yawning-jaguar-300x171.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/yawning-jaguar-1024x582.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/yawning-jaguar-768x436.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-46473" class="wp-caption-text">Yawning jaguar &#8211; Credit: WorldAtlas</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
To munch on 85 different animal species, you need a strong bite. And it just so happens that jaguars are one of the <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/which-animals-have-the-strongest-bite/">animals with the strongest bite</a>. When I say their jaws are exceptionally powerful, you can believe me. They have a bite force of 1,500 PSI. At first, that&#8217;s just a number. But when you compare it to the measly 162 PSI of the average human, you&#8217;ll realize why that&#8217;s more than a bite and a half. I think we should change the meaning of the word jaguar to ‘true, fierce beast who kills with one bite.’
&nbsp;
<h2>5. Jaguar Are Extra Spotty</h2>
<figure id="attachment_46471" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46471" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-46471" title="jaguar spots" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-spots.jpg" alt="jaguar spots" width="1200" height="667" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-spots.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-spots-300x167.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-spots-1024x569.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-spots-768x427.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-46471" class="wp-caption-text">Jaguar spots &#8211; Credit: Staffan Widstrand</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
Jaguars aren’t one of the <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/lesser-known-wild-cat-species/">lesser known wild cat species</a>, like the ocelot or the serval. Yet we still confuse them with other big cats. Don’t ask me why, but we even mislabeled black jaguars. Is it that hard to spot a jaguar? Are they not popular big cats?
&nbsp;
Jaguar patterns remind me of abstract flower paintings. The kind you&#8217;d make if you used wet paint blotches to create flower art. Or those dark images you&#8217;ll find in a psychiatrist&#8217;s office. Know what I mean? Their prints are special for two reasons. Firstly, no two jaguars have the same spots &#8211; not even cubs from the same litter. Secondly, their spots have their own spots. If you ever come close enough to a jaguar, you&#8217;ll notice that the circles on them are rosettes composed of bigger spots with a couple of tiny dots in them.
&nbsp;
<h2>6. Jaguars Don’t Hate Water</h2>
<figure id="attachment_46470" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46470" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-46470" title="jaguar lake" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-lake.jpg" alt="jaguar lake" width="1200" height="563" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-lake.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-lake-300x141.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-lake-1024x480.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-lake-768x360.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-46470" class="wp-caption-text">Jaguar in water &#8211; Credit: Brent Chambers</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
Jaguars don&#8217;t always act like big cats. It’s like they’re so tired of being compared to their cousins that they’re just trying to do things as differently as “jaguarly” possible. Take their unexplainable love of water.
&nbsp;
Jaguars really adore spending time in water. Seriously, they spend most of their time in the closest water source. You’d think they use lakes and rivers as a way to cool down, which they do. But they also like to scan the underwater menu. Just imagine how many slow (and delish) animals they can find under there. Think of anything from sloths to otters. And yes, you can bet on it that jags are just as fast under water as they’re on land!
&nbsp;
<h2>7. Jaguars Mate 100x Per day</h2>
<figure id="attachment_46468" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46468" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-46468" title="jaguar cub" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-cub.jpg" alt="jaguar cub" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-cub.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-cub-300x169.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-cub-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jaguar-cub-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-46468" class="wp-caption-text">Baby jaguar &#8211; Credit: fazbest2008</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
I thought I could confidently say I know everything about these specimens. But wow, this one was new to me.
&nbsp;
Breeding time is a very exhausting time for jaguars. And rightfully so. Could you imagine having to mate up to 100 times per day? Year round? For up to 20 days? Then, the male finds the next lady, while momma needs to raise the cubs. Fortunately, they only have to do this until they have about 8 to 12 cubs. It still sounds rough, but they give birth to 2 to 4 at a time.
&nbsp;
<h2>8. Jaguars Cubs Can Be Black</h2>
<figure id="attachment_46464" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46464" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-46464" title="black jaguar" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/black-jaguar.jpg" alt="black jaguar" width="1200" height="686" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/black-jaguar.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/black-jaguar-300x172.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/black-jaguar-1024x585.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/black-jaguar-768x439.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-46464" class="wp-caption-text">Black jaguar &#8211; Credit: Bali Safari and Marine Park</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
Out of those 8 to 12 cubs, there&#8217;s a possibility that 1 (or maybe even 2) can be black. Remember when I said we gave black jaguars new names? Black ‘panthers’ are actually just black jaguars! They can be leopards too, but panther comes from the big cat genus, Panthera, and people just took it and rolled with it.
&nbsp;
But why are they black, and <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/why-are-black-panthers-rare/">why are black panthers so rare</a>? In leopards, it&#8217;s caused by a recessive allele, but jaguars get their dark color from a dominant allele. They’re pretty rare because only about <a href="https://wwf.ca/stories/meet-the-americas-black-big-cat-six-facts-about-black-jaguars/#:~:text=A%20rare%20variant%20within%20the,boasts%20these%20unique%20rosettes%2C%20too./" target="_blank" rel="noopener">11% of jaguars and leopards are born black</a>. If you look closely, you&#8217;ll see their spotty spots are still there. But not too close &#8211; they&#8217;re still big cats!
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

The jaguar is a mighty cat with a killer reputation. Here are 8 facts to know about these interesting felines.

8 Fun and Interesting Facts About Jaguars

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-45842" title="most expensive cat breeds" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/most-expensive-cat-breeds.jpg" alt="most expensive cat breeds" width="1200" height="690" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/most-expensive-cat-breeds.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/most-expensive-cat-breeds-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/most-expensive-cat-breeds-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/most-expensive-cat-breeds-768x442.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
&nbsp;
When it comes to these pricy cats, their gorgeous aesthetic is just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, a lot of them connect to humans and other domestic animals in ways that are genuinely unique to them.
&nbsp;
Read on to learn more about the most expensive cat breeds ever!
&nbsp;
<h2>1. Bengal Cats</h2>
<figure id="attachment_45840" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-45840" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-45840" title="bengal cat feline brown tree" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bengal-cat-feline-brown-tree.jpg" alt="bengal cat feline brown tree" width="1200" height="670" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bengal-cat-feline-brown-tree.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bengal-cat-feline-brown-tree-300x168.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bengal-cat-feline-brown-tree-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bengal-cat-feline-brown-tree-768x429.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-45840" class="wp-caption-text">A green-eyed Bengal cat relaxing on a tree trunk. Photo by Uschi_Du on Pixabay.</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Price range: $1,500 &#8211; $2,500</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lifespan: 12 &#8211; 18 years</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
When people think of expensive cat breeds, Bengal cats are often the first thing that comes to mind. That said, you might be surprised to find out they’re on the cheaper end of the swanky cat spectrum!
&nbsp;
Being a not-so-distant relative of leopards, these cats are as hyper as they come. For this reason, <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/things-to-know-before-getting-bengal-cat/">before getting a Bengal cat</a>, you need to be sure you can match its energy. From biting on furniture to climbing up unusual spots (even by cat standards), their behavior can be equal part endearing and energy-consuming!
&nbsp;
If you can work with that, you’ll be rewarded with an extremely smart feline that’ll have you laughing at their horseplay on the daily. Just be sure to set them up with a private nook for when they’re ready to chill, especially if there’s another pet in the house.
&nbsp;
<h2>2. Persian Cats</h2>
<figure id="attachment_45843" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-45843" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-45843" title="persian cat feline outdoor grass sunflower" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/persian-cat-feline-outdoor-grass-sunflower.jpg" alt="persian cat feline outdoor grass sunflower" width="1200" height="549" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/persian-cat-feline-outdoor-grass-sunflower.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/persian-cat-feline-outdoor-grass-sunflower-300x137.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/persian-cat-feline-outdoor-grass-sunflower-1024x468.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/persian-cat-feline-outdoor-grass-sunflower-768x351.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-45843" class="wp-caption-text">A white-and-gray Persian cat frolicking in the grass. Photo by RebaSpike on Pixabay.</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Price range: $1,000 &#8211; $5,000</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lifespan: 12 &#8211; 18 years</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
If you have experience with more <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/most-common-cat-breeds-in-america/">common cat breeds</a>, Persians tend to be pretty similar without necessarily breaking the bank. Above all else, they love their beauty sleep, and they prefer a quiet environment if they can get it. At the same time, they aren’t as sassy as some of their brethren, and they won’t randomly start playing hard-to-get once their needs are met.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.petmojo.com/tips-for-grooming-your-cat/">Every cat likes to be groomed</a>, but Persians in particular really get a kick out of it. That’s good news for you as they’re among the furriest cats you could ever keep, meaning they need a lot of care. Still, it never feels like a chore &#8211; nothing beats running your fingers through their coat after a hard day’s work!
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.petmojo.com/key-facts-for-adopting-persian-cat/">If you decide to adopt a Persian cat</a>, be warned that it might take a while to gain its trust. Once it’s comfortable, though, you’ll have it eating out of the palm of your hand, literally and figuratively!
&nbsp;
<h2>3. Maine Coons</h2>
<figure id="attachment_45841" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-45841" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-45841" title="maine coon kitten outdoors brown striped" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/maine-coon-kitten-outdoors-brown-striped.jpg" alt="maine coon kitten outdoors brown striped" width="1200" height="608" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/maine-coon-kitten-outdoors-brown-striped.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/maine-coon-kitten-outdoors-brown-striped-300x152.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/maine-coon-kitten-outdoors-brown-striped-1024x519.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/maine-coon-kitten-outdoors-brown-striped-768x389.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-45841" class="wp-caption-text">A brown, striped Maine Coon kitten with hazel eyes. Photo by miezekieze on Pixabay.</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Price range: $1,000 &#8211; $4,000</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lifespan: 12 &#8211; 15 years</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
All the most expensive cat breeds have their charm, but Maine Coons might be the most conventionally loveable of them all. You can chalk a lot of it up to their thick coat &#8211; it’s hard to find a cuddlier cat than these beautiful balls of fur!
&nbsp;
Speaking of their coat, these guys are extremely prone to shedding, so expect to be doing a lot of sweeping. On the other hand, the upside is that they’re more or less waterproof, hence their affinity for rolling around in puddles!
&nbsp;
A lot of people say that <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/things-that-dogs-and-cats-have-in-common/">Maine Coons have a lot in common with dogs</a>, which would explain why the two get along so well. Naturally, you’ll want to expose them to one another gradually, but on average, these cats tend to make the first move with their doggy housemates.
&nbsp;
Also, <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/the-main-coon-cat-breed/">Maine Coons are some of the most relaxed cats</a>, so they make a great addition to households with small, inquisitive children.
&nbsp;
<h2>4. Savannah Cats</h2>
<figure id="attachment_45844" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-45844" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-45844" title="savannah cat red harness outdoors f2" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/savannah-cat-red-harness-outdoors-f2.jpg" alt="savannah cat red harness outdoors f2" width="1200" height="626" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/savannah-cat-red-harness-outdoors-f2.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/savannah-cat-red-harness-outdoors-f2-300x157.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/savannah-cat-red-harness-outdoors-f2-1024x534.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/savannah-cat-red-harness-outdoors-f2-768x401.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-45844" class="wp-caption-text">A Savannah cat wearing a red harness. Photo by Maxinjo on Wikimedia Commons.</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Price range: $1,000 &#8211; $20,000</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lifespan: 12 &#8211; 20 years</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Fair warning: if you’re used to cats that laze around the house and sleep half the day, you’re not going to get that with Savannahs. Still, you can rest assured that raising them is extremely fulfilling &#8211; just be sure to adopt one as a kitten if you have the option.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.petmojo.com/why-do-cats-hate-water/">Savannahs are unique in that they like water</a> more than most cats, so expect to see them sniffing around in the bathtub from time to time. After all, they’re a mix of a serval and a domestic cat, which is why they’re more quirky and exploratory than the average tabby!
&nbsp;
Similar to Maine Coons, <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/cats-and-dogs-friends-or-foes/">Savannah cats make great playmates for dogs</a>, and their behavior is more canine-like than that of most other cats. By and large, they’re very receptive to training, and they tend to be loyal to the core if you treat them right.
&nbsp;
<h2>5. Sphynx Cats</h2>
<figure id="attachment_45839" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-45839" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-45839" title="bald sphynx cat violet background" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bald-sphynx-cat-violet-background.jpg" alt="bald sphynx cat violet background" width="1200" height="693" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bald-sphynx-cat-violet-background.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bald-sphynx-cat-violet-background-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bald-sphynx-cat-violet-background-1024x591.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bald-sphynx-cat-violet-background-768x444.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-45839" class="wp-caption-text">A white Sphynx cat set to a violet backdrop. Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.</figcaption></figure>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Price range: $1,500 &#8211; $3,000</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lifespan: 8 &#8211; 14 years</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Despite them being costly, there’s a long list of <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/reasons-to-adopt-sphynx-cat/">reasons to adopt a Sphynx cat</a>, the main one being their unique look. Their origins can be traced back to Canada, where the rescue of several bald cats gave us one of the most distinguished feline breeds ever!
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.petmojo.com/most-exotic-cat-breeds/">These exotic cats</a> are up there as some of the smartest of all time, making them an ideal companion for an affectionate human. Also, besides being adorable in their own unique way, the lack of fur is a big part of the reason <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/are-sphynx-cats-hypoallergenic/">Sphynxes are considered hypoallergenic cats</a>.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.petmojo.com/the-sphynx-cat-what-to-know/">One thing you should know about Sphynx cats</a> is that the cleaning process works differently than with other cats. With no fur to soak in any of the oil, all the muck sticks to the skin, especially the wrinkles. If you decide to keep one of these beauties, you’ll need to invest in a special shampoo for bald cats.
&nbsp;
Finally, keep in mind that it’s not uncommon for a Sphynx to die before the age of ten. You can generally expect them to live the average feline lifespan, but there are more outliers among Sphynxes than most other domestic cat breeds.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Many of our perceptions of cats are based on tabbies and other common household felines. However, the most expensive cat breeds break a lot of the stereotypes around kitty psychology!

5 Most Expensive Cat Breeds

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-47631" title="savannah cats featured" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/savannah-cats-featured.jpg" alt="savannah cats featured" width="1200" height="690" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/savannah-cats-featured.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/savannah-cats-featured-300x173.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/savannah-cats-featured-1024x589.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/savannah-cats-featured-768x442.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Have you ever seen a leopard or cheetah and wished you could have a smaller version at home? The Savannah cat could make your dream of legally owning an exotic feline possible. Developed in the late 20th century, these cats are part-domestic and part-serval. Weighing upward of 30 pounds and measuring 16 inches tall, these lean cats make welcome additions to households that have time for an active, high-energy pet. They’re known for their love of water, dazzling fur patterns, and can even be trained to walk on a leash.
&nbsp;
<h2>1. Domestic Savannah Cats Have Wild Ancestry</h2>
<figure id="attachment_44664" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44664" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-44664" title="Savannah Cat portrait" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Savannah_Cat_portrait.jpg" alt="Savannah Cat portrait" width="1200" height="662" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Savannah_Cat_portrait.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Savannah_Cat_portrait-300x166.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Savannah_Cat_portrait-1024x565.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Savannah_Cat_portrait-768x424.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44664" class="wp-caption-text">A Savannah cat sitting upright. – Image from Jason Douglas on Wikimedia Commons</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
There’s something undeniably intriguing about a domesticated animal that has close ties to its wild ancestors. It’s a big reason why wolfdog hybrids (generally created by breeding wolves with Siberian Huskies) are both alluring and controversial. The Savannah cat is no exception. These felines were created in 1986, arising when a Pennsylvanian breeder bred a <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/the-siamese-asian-domestic-cat/">Siamese cat</a> with an African serval. But why servals?
&nbsp;
Servals are medium-sized, relatively mellow animals compared to other <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/animals-unique-to-africa/">African cats</a>. Physically, they’re lean and long-legged, usually not exceeding 26 pounds. Their bat-like ears, combined with their honey-colored coats and black spots, add another layer of intrigue for lovers of wild cats. A great thing about servals is that they’re fairly adaptable; they adjust easily to changes in their environment, and they have an astounding kill rate: at least 50 percent. That’s amazing compared to other wild cats, like tigers, that are only successful 10 percent of the time.
&nbsp;
How much “wild blood” a Savannah cat has depends on its filial generation. For example, an F1 Savannah cat is 50 percent serval, 50 percent domestic cat. An F2 Savannah cat is 25 percent serval, 75 percent domestic cat.
&nbsp;
<h2>2. Their Temperaments Vary from Cat to Cat</h2>
<figure id="attachment_44662" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44662" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-44662" title="Savannah Cat closeup" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Savannah_Cat_closeup.jpg" alt="Savannah Cat closeup" width="1200" height="682" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Savannah_Cat_closeup.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Savannah_Cat_closeup-300x171.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Savannah_Cat_closeup-1024x582.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Savannah_Cat_closeup-768x436.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44662" class="wp-caption-text">A close-up of an F1 Savannah cat. – Image from Jason Douglas on Wikimedia Commons</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
Each cat breed has its own personality and temperament. For instance, <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/the-main-coon-cat-breed/">Maine coons</a>, while one of the largest domestic cat breeds, are known for their easygoing, gentle nature. Siamese cats, on the other hand, are known for being very demanding and vocal. The temperament of a Savannah cat is a little less predictable. However, owners generally agree that a Savannah cat’s ancestry plays a pivotal role in its temperament.
&nbsp;
An F1 Savannah cat will share many characteristics of its serval parent. It’ll need regular stimulation and plenty of space to roam to truly thrive. These cats may also be a bit more standoffish and aloof, as servals generally don’t interact with humans in their native habitats. This is sharply contrasted with, say, F3 Savannah cats. Here, the cat is 12.5 percent serval—three generations removed from its serval parentage. Because these cats are mostly domestic, they’ll have many of the same characteristics as your standard household feline.
&nbsp;
Make no mistake: getting a Savannah cat is a big commitment, no matter its filial generation. Doing your research before purchase or adoption can help you decide whether these cats suit your expectations and lifestyle.
&nbsp;
<h2>3. Savannah Cats Aren’t Cheap, Costing Thousands</h2>
<figure id="attachment_44667" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44667" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-44667" title="savannah cat with red collar" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/savannah-cat-with-red-collar.jpg" alt="savannah cat with red collar" width="1200" height="606" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/savannah-cat-with-red-collar.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/savannah-cat-with-red-collar-300x152.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/savannah-cat-with-red-collar-1024x517.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/savannah-cat-with-red-collar-768x388.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44667" class="wp-caption-text">A Savannah cat wearing a red collar. – Image by Maxinjo on Wikimedia Commons</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
Many shelters and rescues in both the United States and Canada are overflowing with domestic cats. You could walk into a reputable organization and walk out with a feline friend for less than $120. The same cannot be said for Savannah cats. You’ll likely pay at least $20,000 for an F1 Savannah cat. The price generally goes down the further a cat is removed from its serval parentage. Still, even an F4 could cost thousands of dollars, and that’s not accounting for the cost of food, veterinary visits, and outfitting your home to account for a semi-wild animal.
&nbsp;
If you’re interested in getting a Savannah cat, you should consider purchasing pet insurance. This coverage accounts for <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/pet-emergency-scenarios-calling-for-immediate-vet-visit/">emergency vet appointments</a> and even routine procedures, such as spaying/neutering. Keep in mind, however, that many corporate insurance companies refuse to cover exotic pets because of liability reasons. You’ll likely have to shop around to find a quote that meets your budget––but it could be worth it if you’re new to exotic pet ownership.
&nbsp;
<h2>4. Some States Heavily Regulate Savannah Cat Ownership</h2>
<figure id="attachment_44668" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44668" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-44668" title="serval cat in the wild" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/serval-cat-in-the-wild.jpg" alt="serval cat in the wild" width="1200" height="682" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/serval-cat-in-the-wild.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/serval-cat-in-the-wild-300x171.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/serval-cat-in-the-wild-1024x582.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/serval-cat-in-the-wild-768x436.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44668" class="wp-caption-text">A wild serval cat on an African plain. – Image by Diego Delso on Wikimedia Commons</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
There are many ethical concerns surrounding Savannah cats that have prompted many states to either regulate ownership or ban them altogether. According to <a href="https://www.catster.com/cat-breeds/are-savannah-cats-legal-in-the-united-states/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Catster</a>:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Alaska, Colorado, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont only allow for the ownership of F4 and later filial generations of Savannah cats.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">New York only allows for the ownership of F5 Savannah cats and beyond.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Delaware requires that Savannah cat owners have a permit to legally own them.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Georgia, Hawaii, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and many counties in Texas completely outlaw the ownership of any Savannah cat, regardless of its filial generation.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
There are many reasons why some states have chosen to regulate or ban Savannah cats. For example, Hawaii is a small island chain. If even one Savannah cat got loose, it could decimate native bird populations. It could even breed with other native species to create animals that disrupt local ecosystems.
&nbsp;
There are also concerns about the demand for Savannah cats fueling the <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/illegal-wildlife-trade-threats-solutions/">illegal wildlife trade</a>. While servals are not endangered, conservation efforts do everything possible to keep their numbers stable.
&nbsp;
<h2>5. Savannahs Make Good Pets for Prepared Owners</h2>
<figure id="attachment_44665" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44665" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-44665" title="savannah cat in bed" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/savannah-cat-in-bed.jpg" alt="savannah cat in bed" width="1200" height="657" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/savannah-cat-in-bed.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/savannah-cat-in-bed-300x164.jpg 300w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/savannah-cat-in-bed-1024x561.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/savannah-cat-in-bed-768x420.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44665" class="wp-caption-text">A Savannah cat in its bed. – Image by gsloan on Wikimedia Commons</figcaption></figure>
&nbsp;
If you’ve done your research and have the space and finances for a Savannah cat, you could find years of joy in ownership. These cats are extremely intelligent, and they’re easily trainable in the same way you would condition a dog. With time and patience, you could train your Savannah cat to walk on a leash, swim in your pool, and even respond to advanced commands. First-time cat owners may find it easier to train a later-generation Savannah than one with direct serval parentage.
&nbsp;
Remember: there’s no such thing as a low-maintenance pet, and that certainly applies to this cat breed! Post on message boards, check out books on Savannah cats, and carefully consider your lifestyle before bringing these exotic felines home.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Savannah cats are domestic cats mixed with serval cats. But believe it or not, many consider these exotic felines to have dog-like temperaments! Learn more here.

Savannah Cats: 5 Things to Know About These Exotic Animals

<figure class="figure" style="margin: 0 0 1rem 0;">
<figure class="figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="article-image" style="color: transparent;" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c0975d1ef21d2be0912f93358bad070a25ab7147-1200x690-1.jpg" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c0975d1ef21d2be0912f93358bad070a25ab7147-1200x690-1.jpg 1x, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c0975d1ef21d2be0912f93358bad070a25ab7147-1200x690-1.jpg 2x" alt="big cats everything you need to know" width="1200" height="690" data-nimg="1" /></figure>
</figure>
Cats are creatures that demand respect. However, this is kicked up a notch when you consider the awe-inspiring feline creatures of the jungle rather than just the cats of the backyard! From the stealthy leopard to the regal lion, big cats have captivated humans&#8217; hearts and imaginations for centuries. Keep reading to delve into the fascinating lives of these creatures and uncover some fun facts.
<div>
<h2 style="padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px;">The Big Cat Family</h2>
</div>
<figure class="figure" style="margin: 0 0 1rem 0;">
<figure class="figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" id="image-49fcdf23d068d3e388efc7e1298c7591ba360fbf-1200x677-jpg" class="figure-img img-fluid" style="color: transparent;" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/49fcdf23d068d3e388efc7e1298c7591ba360fbf-1200x677-1.jpg" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/49fcdf23d068d3e388efc7e1298c7591ba360fbf-1200x677-1.jpg 1x, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/49fcdf23d068d3e388efc7e1298c7591ba360fbf-1200x677-1.jpg 2x" alt="black panther" width="1200" height="677" data-nimg="1" /></figure><figcaption class="figure-caption">Image credit: World Wildlife Fund Canada</figcaption></figure>
The magnificent and diverse family of big cats is scientifically known as Felidae. This family is made up of some of the world’s most iconic animals, such as the lion, the cheetah, and the <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/why-are-black-panthers-rare/">panther</a>, as well as some of the lesser-known felines, like the serval and the caracal.
All the world’s big cats are some of the most powerful predators, each species bringing a unique set of characteristics to their respective habitats that allow them to thrive in the animal kingdom.
<h2 style="padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px;">Size and Strength</h2>
<figure class="figure" style="margin: 0 0 1rem 0;">
<figure class="figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" id="image-8aa3d168691cd13436dd67121f3af03c1e3c1a03-1200x575-jpg" class="figure-img img-fluid" style="color: transparent;" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/8aa3d168691cd13436dd67121f3af03c1e3c1a03-1200x575-1.jpg" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/8aa3d168691cd13436dd67121f3af03c1e3c1a03-1200x575-1.jpg 1x, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/8aa3d168691cd13436dd67121f3af03c1e3c1a03-1200x575-1.jpg 2x" alt="bengal tiger" width="1200" height="575" data-nimg="1" /></figure><figcaption class="figure-caption">Image credit: National Geographic</figcaption></figure>
You can’t look at big cats without taking a moment to marvel at their sheer size and strength. Anyone who has seen a lion or a leopard up close knows how massive these creatures can be and has noted the power that lurks in their strong bodies.
For instance, the Bengal tiger can weigh up to a whopping 500 pounds and measure over nine feet from nose to tail. Their bodies are packed with muscle, and their razor-sharp claws and teeth make them ruthless hunters. <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/reintroduction-jaguars-to-southwest/">The jaguar is also the largest cat</a> native to the Americas, and the third largest in the world.
<h2 style="padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px;">The Roaring Symphony</h2>
<figure class="figure" style="margin: 0 0 1rem 0;">
<figure class="figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" id="image-aad22b7966cbdce253afa99f105da66f67161666-1200x670-jpg" class="figure-img img-fluid" style="color: transparent;" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/aad22b7966cbdce253afa99f105da66f67161666-1200x670-1.jpg" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/aad22b7966cbdce253afa99f105da66f67161666-1200x670-1.jpg 1x, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/aad22b7966cbdce253afa99f105da66f67161666-1200x670-1.jpg 2x" alt="lion roar" width="1200" height="670" data-nimg="1" /></figure><figcaption class="figure-caption">Image credit: Lion Recovery Fund</figcaption></figure>
The King of the Jungle is known far and wide for his ferocious roar. <a href="https://lionrecoveryfund.org/the-complexity-of-lion-roars/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Roaring is a crucial communication tool</a> shared by many of the big cat species, which allows the felines to announce their presence, assert dominance, impress a potential mate, and coordinate their social comings and goings.
A lion’s roar, in particular, can be heard from up to five miles away, and studies have shown that individual cats’ roars often differ in pitch and volume, which allows other pride members to distinguish their voices.
<div>
<h2 style="padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px;">Solitary vs. Socialite</h2>
</div>
<figure class="figure" style="margin: 0 0 1rem 0;">
<figure class="figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" id="image-b11b41b7c158d0298f4e9386fdb4943d1c8ef241-1200x555-jpg" class="figure-img img-fluid" style="color: transparent;" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/b11b41b7c158d0298f4e9386fdb4943d1c8ef241-1200x555-1.jpg" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/b11b41b7c158d0298f4e9386fdb4943d1c8ef241-1200x555-1.jpg 1x, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/b11b41b7c158d0298f4e9386fdb4943d1c8ef241-1200x555-1.jpg 2x" alt="leopard in tree" width="1200" height="555" data-nimg="1" /></figure><figcaption class="figure-caption">Image credit: Wikimedia Commons</figcaption></figure>
When it comes to hunting techniques, the various cats in the family prefer to handle things differently.
For example, the solitary leopard likes to roam and hunt alone. They’ll quietly stalk and then ambush their prey before <a href="https://panthera.org/blog-post/why-do-leopards-hoist-their-kills-trees/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">enjoying their meal up in a tree</a> where they won’t be bothered. Lions, on the other hand, hunt more cooperatively. The lionesses are typically responsible for catching prey and bringing it back to be shared amongst the pride. Lion prides are tight-knit communities that even partake in collective care for the cubs.
<h2 style="padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px;">Masters of Adaptation</h2>
<figure class="figure" style="margin: 0 0 1rem 0;">
<figure class="figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" id="image-0a96c7b46b74018364989f4766e0bde7db3badcf-1200x490-jpg" class="figure-img img-fluid" style="color: transparent;" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0a96c7b46b74018364989f4766e0bde7db3badcf-1200x490-1.jpg" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0a96c7b46b74018364989f4766e0bde7db3badcf-1200x490-1.jpg 1x, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0a96c7b46b74018364989f4766e0bde7db3badcf-1200x490-1.jpg 2x" alt="snow leopard" width="1200" height="490" data-nimg="1" /></figure><figcaption class="figure-caption">Image credit: Discover Magazine</figcaption></figure>
Big cats have also evolved into some remarkable adaptations that have allowed them to survive and thrive in their various habitats and environments. For example, <a href="https://www.greenmatters.com/community/fun-facts-about-snow-leopards/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">the mountaineer snow leopard</a> has a thick insulated coat to keep it warm and a tail that helps them achieve a perfect balance on slippery slopes.
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 20px;"></div>
On the other hand, you might consider the cheetah’s immense speed allows them to catch their prey quickly and easily. These cats can move at up to 70 miles per hour, making them the <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/fastest-animal-on-earth/">fastest land animal on Earth</a>!
</div>
<h2 style="padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px;">Playful Cubs</h2>
<figure class="figure" style="margin: 0 0 1rem 0;">
<figure class="figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" id="image-b65bd05f3d5db0974262e97b629a2fc4cb975225-1200x656-jpg" class="figure-img img-fluid" style="color: transparent;" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/b65bd05f3d5db0974262e97b629a2fc4cb975225-1200x656-1.jpg" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/b65bd05f3d5db0974262e97b629a2fc4cb975225-1200x656-1.jpg 1x, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/b65bd05f3d5db0974262e97b629a2fc4cb975225-1200x656-1.jpg 2x" alt="lion cubs" width="1200" height="656" data-nimg="1" /></figure><figcaption class="figure-caption">Image credit: Daily Sabah</figcaption></figure>
All work and no play make Jack a dull boy &#8211; and baby big cats know it! One of the most adorable sights you might see is a big cat cub <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/how-much-exercise-do-indoor-cats-need/">playing like a kitten.</a>
Lion cubs wrestle with one another, tiger cubs practice the perfect pounce when they’re still too big for their own paws, and cheetah cubs have even been spotted chasing their own tails. These cubs play and socialize as part of learning and growing up, just like any other baby animal (or human). While this is a heartwarming sight, these cubs are often exploited for financial gain in animal parks.
<div>
<h2 style="padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px;">Conservation Challenges</h2>
</div>
<figure class="figure" style="margin: 0 0 1rem 0;">
<figure class="figure"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" id="image-50ee1d1c89d4e63762945fae02644a2a46511de2-1200x602-jpg" class="figure-img img-fluid" style="color: transparent;" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/50ee1d1c89d4e63762945fae02644a2a46511de2-1200x602-1.jpg" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/50ee1d1c89d4e63762945fae02644a2a46511de2-1200x602-1.jpg 1x, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/50ee1d1c89d4e63762945fae02644a2a46511de2-1200x602-1.jpg 2x" alt="lion feeding" width="1200" height="602" data-nimg="1" /></figure><figcaption class="figure-caption">Image credit: Omologato</figcaption></figure>
The unfortunate truth is that these magnificent big cats are all facing numerous threats in the modern world. Habitat loss due to human invasion and encroachment, poaching for their skins and other body parts, and general animal-human conflicts are all major challenges faced by these beautiful beasts.
This is why there are several organizations across the globe <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/lesser-known-wild-animals-need-conservation/">fighting for animals’ rights</a> and trying to protect their safety and well-being.
Rehabilitation centers and sanctuaries play a pivotal role in raising awareness, conducting research, supporting conservation efforts, and caring for cats that have been negatively affected by these various issues.
When visiting these places, and others, <a href="https://www.petmojo.com/how-to-determine-if-zoo-is-reputable/">like zoos</a>, we should take the time to learn instead of just looking and gain a better understanding of these creatures, their needs, and what we can do to help them.

Embark on a wild adventure into the world of big cats and see how they differ from the domesticated felines we know and love.

Big Cats: Everything You Need to Know

<figure class="figure" style="margin:0 0 1rem 0">
<figure class="figure"><img loading="lazy" alt="most elusive animals" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/f1892a80e4c778215eb1af36f85242ef52a7da8e-1200x690-1.jpg 1x, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/f1892a80e4c778215eb1af36f85242ef52a7da8e-1200x690-1.jpg 2x" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/f1892a80e4c778215eb1af36f85242ef52a7da8e-1200x690-1.jpg" width="1200" height="684" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="article-image" style="color:transparent"></figure>
</figure>
The world is full of unique wildlife across every continent. While some are easy to spot, others are much harder to find. Some are elusive by nature, nocturnal, or live underground or in high altitudes. Others just generally like to avoid humans. Given the rate of poaching, that’s a good thing! From rare cats to unique ground-dwelling creatures, here are 6 of the most elusive animals in the world!
<div>
<h2 style="padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:0px">6. Serval</h2>
</div>
<figure class="figure" style="margin:0 0 1rem 0">
<figure class="figure"><img imgid="image-6f5cb45e9e79369d12e63ef4b705a97afa34d2d0-1200x675-jpg" alt="serval" id="image-6f5cb45e9e79369d12e63ef4b705a97afa34d2d0-1200x675-jpg" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/6f5cb45e9e79369d12e63ef4b705a97afa34d2d0-1200x675-1.jpg 1x, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/6f5cb45e9e79369d12e63ef4b705a97afa34d2d0-1200x675-1.jpg 2x" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/6f5cb45e9e79369d12e63ef4b705a97afa34d2d0-1200x675-1.jpg" width="1200" height="675" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="figure-img img-fluid" loading="lazy" style="color:transparent"></figure><figcaption class="figure-caption"> Serval (wild cat native to Africa)</figcaption></figure>
Scouting grasslands across Central Africa, the Serval is hard to spot thanks to its impeccable camouflage. Its tan body and dark markings blend in seamlessly amongst the tall grasses in which it hunts. Servals are well adapted to savanna life with long legs for walking amongst the tall grasses and leaping an impressive 10 feet in the air. They also have larger ears than most other cats to aid in their excellent hearing.
At just 40 pounds, Servals are much smaller than other African wild cats, but as highly skilled hunters, they can be just as fierce. In fact, Servals are known to have a higher kill rate than lions when it comes to hunting prey. They mainly prey on small mammals and birds but will also fish and catch frogs when the opportunity presents itself.
Spotting a serval in the wild can be an incredibly rare occurrence. Unfortunately, you are more likely to spot them in a domestic setting as these cats have become victims of the illegal pet trade. As one can imagine, keeping a wild Serval as a pet can lead to <a href="https://bigcatrescue.org/servals-not-pets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">disastrous outcomes</a>. All animal agencies advise against owning servals as they do not thrive in captivity and pose a danger to humans, pets, and native wildlife.
<h2 style="padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:0px">5. Aardvark</h2>
<figure class="figure" style="margin:0 0 1rem 0">
<figure class="figure"><img imgid="image-712f8e579021511cc2371cfb523ca81e39596241-1200x630-jpg" alt="aardvark" id="image-712f8e579021511cc2371cfb523ca81e39596241-1200x630-jpg" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/712f8e579021511cc2371cfb523ca81e39596241-1200x630-1.jpg 1x, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/712f8e579021511cc2371cfb523ca81e39596241-1200x630-1.jpg 2x" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/712f8e579021511cc2371cfb523ca81e39596241-1200x630-1.jpg" width="1200" height="630" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="figure-img img-fluid" loading="lazy" style="color:transparent"></figure>
</figure>
Native to sub-Saharan Africa, aardvarks are ground-burrowing mammals with peculiar features that resemble an anteater, although the two are not related. They are also referred to as “earth pig” for their long, pig-like snout and ability to dig deep burrows into the earth.
While aardvarks are widely distributed, and their population is not believed to be under threat, they are rarely seen. Aardvarks are quite shy and solitary animals, only congregating when mating or rearing their young. They mostly stay in their burrows during the day, only coming out at night to feed on ants and termites.
Aardvarks have excellent hearing and are fast runners. They will often bolt quickly back into their burrows upon hearing a potential threat. Aardvark sightings are incredibly rare except <a href="https://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/research-news/2020/2020-07/daytime-aardvark-sightings-are-a-sign-of-troubled-times-.html/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">during times of drought</a> when they are forced to travel farther for food, sometimes making these treks during daylight hours.
<div>
<h2 style="padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:0px">4. Jaguarundi</h2>
</div>
<figure class="figure" style="margin:0 0 1rem 0">
<figure class="figure"><img imgid="image-143a3eaf248627a326d1145bb27582b9920be657-1200x693-jpg" alt="jaguarundi" id="image-143a3eaf248627a326d1145bb27582b9920be657-1200x693-jpg" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/143a3eaf248627a326d1145bb27582b9920be657-1200x693-1.jpg 1x, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/143a3eaf248627a326d1145bb27582b9920be657-1200x693-1.jpg 2x" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/143a3eaf248627a326d1145bb27582b9920be657-1200x693-1.jpg" width="1200" height="693" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="figure-img img-fluid" loading="lazy" style="color:transparent"></figure>
</figure>
Widely distributed but rarely seen, the jaguarundi is one of the most elusive cats in the world! Jaguarundis have an expansive range throughout forests and grasslands in North, Central, and South America, but their population size is unknown. They are so rarely seen that they have been deemed extinct in some areas.
Whether or not jaguarundis still exist in the United States has led to much scientific debate. Alleged sightings of jaguarundis have occurred in Texas, Arizona, and Florida, but even those actively searching for the elusive jaguarundi have been unable to find it.
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom:20px"></div>
Little is known about the jaguarundi, and attempts to study it have only been relatively successful with the use of trail cameras. Most humans will never come close to a jaguarundi, but if they are so lucky to spot this rare cat, it will most likely be in Costa Rica. Jaguarundis have been spotted in Costa Rica in recent years, and it is believed they have a thriving population in the lush jungles and rainforests.
</div>
<h2 style="padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:0px">3. Pangolin</h2>
<figure class="figure" style="margin:0 0 1rem 0">
<figure class="figure"><img imgid="image-252eb0100386086c89a59b888bd09a4aec4a1a28-1200x672-jpg" alt="pangolin" id="image-252eb0100386086c89a59b888bd09a4aec4a1a28-1200x672-jpg" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/252eb0100386086c89a59b888bd09a4aec4a1a28-1200x672-1.jpg 1x, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/252eb0100386086c89a59b888bd09a4aec4a1a28-1200x672-1.jpg 2x" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/252eb0100386086c89a59b888bd09a4aec4a1a28-1200x672-1.jpg" width="1200" height="672" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="figure-img img-fluid" loading="lazy" style="color:transparent"></figure>
</figure>
Often mistaken for reptiles, pangolins are a bit of an anomaly in the animal kingdom as these small mammals have scales. Their scales act much like a suit of armor, and when threatened, the pangolin will roll itself into a ball, leaving only its “armor” exposed.
These rare scaly mammals are found throughout forests and grasslands of Asia and Africa. They spend most of their days curled up in hollow trees or underground burrows, emerging at night to eat insects.
Pangolins were already elusive by nature, but sightings have been further decreased from their dwindling population. You likely won’t spot a pangolin unless you really go searching for them, and even then, it’s a rarity. Sadly, there are many people searching for pangolins, mostly poachers. Pangolins are one of the most trafficked animals in the world and are listed as critically endangered. Multiple conservation organizations have taken up the plight of the pangolin to help reduce poaching and protect this vulnerable species.
<div>
<h2 style="padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:0px">2. Inland Taipan</h2>
</div>
<figure class="figure" style="margin:0 0 1rem 0">
<figure class="figure"><img imgid="image-ce687da4efa22e7fce8ab6f217ef8a7447c92bf3-1200x567-jpg" alt="inland taipan" id="image-ce687da4efa22e7fce8ab6f217ef8a7447c92bf3-1200x567-jpg" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ce687da4efa22e7fce8ab6f217ef8a7447c92bf3-1200x567-1.jpg 1x, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ce687da4efa22e7fce8ab6f217ef8a7447c92bf3-1200x567-1.jpg 2x" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ce687da4efa22e7fce8ab6f217ef8a7447c92bf3-1200x567-1.jpg" width="1200" height="567" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="figure-img img-fluid" loading="lazy" style="color:transparent"></figure>
</figure>
Found deep in the Australian outback, the inland taipan is not a snake that most people will ever cross paths with. Nor would they want to, as these snakes are known as the world’s most venomous! Inland taipans have one of the most toxic venoms of any snake. A bite from an inland taipan packs a double punch, their highly toxic venom coupled with an enzyme that increases the absorption rate of the toxin.
Thankfully, although these snakes hold such a dangerous status, inland taipan bites on humans are incredibly rare due to their remote habitat and elusive nature. Most bites that have occurred throughout history have been the result of humans attempting to handle the snake.
Inland taipans spend most of their time underground in burrows and clay crevices. They come out to hunt small rodents, breed, or briefly bask in the sun during cooler times. When they are rarely spotted, it’s most often in the winter when they will have to spend more time basking to warm up.
<h2 style="padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:0px">1.Snow Leopard</h2>
<figure class="figure" style="margin:0 0 1rem 0">
<figure class="figure"><img imgid="image-c3d00bb8181e854621cb6e70d8fc896195fa1ae8-1200x630-jpg" alt="snow leopard" id="image-c3d00bb8181e854621cb6e70d8fc896195fa1ae8-1200x630-jpg" srcset="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c3d00bb8181e854621cb6e70d8fc896195fa1ae8-1200x630-1.jpg 1x, https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c3d00bb8181e854621cb6e70d8fc896195fa1ae8-1200x630-1.jpg 2x" src="https://cdn.petmojo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c3d00bb8181e854621cb6e70d8fc896195fa1ae8-1200x630-1.jpg" width="1200" height="630" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="figure-img img-fluid" loading="lazy" style="color:transparent"></figure>
</figure>
Living high up in the mountains of the Himalayas, <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/where-do-snow-leopards-live-and-nine-other-snow-leopard-facts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">snow leopards</a> are considered one of the most elusive cats in the world. They are often referred to by locals as “ghosts of the mountains” due to their elusive nature and appearance that blends seamlessly with their rocky, snowy environment.
It’s extremely rare to spot a snow leopard, even if you are looking for them. They typically reside at elevations above 18,000 feet and rest in rocky crevices where they are perfectly camouflaged. Scientists estimate there are between 4,000 and 6,500 snow leopards in their mountainous home range, but tracking and studying them remains challenging.
Snow leopards are well adapted to their harsh environment. They have thick fur to keep them warm and large padded paws that protect them from sharp rocks and act as snowshoes of sorts. They are also very agile, can run at speeds over 30 mph, and jump up to 50 feet. These attributes help the snow leopard chase down its prey like wild sheep, marmots, hares, and other small to medium-sized mountain-dwelling mammals.

You Searched: serval