Bengal, Egyptian Mau, & Savannah Breed Comparison Chart
written by Tracy Wilson, Wild Trax Exotics
Traits listed are considered as being in general of each breed, allowing that some individuals will exhibit more or less of certain traits.
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|
Breed Traits |
Egyptian Maus |
Bengals (SBT) |
F1 - F2 Savannahs |
F3
to F7-SBT Savannahs SV
x SV Breedings |
| Domestic or Hybrid Breed |
Oldest
domestic cat breed on record. Only domestic cat breed with naturally occurring
spots.
|
Hybrid of Asian Leopard Cat. SBT Bengals (5 generations or more from ALC cross) accepted as completely Domestic breed. |
Hybrid of African Serval. High percentage of wild blood in these generations
|
Hybrid
of African Serval. Very small amounts of wild blood in these generations.
|
| Size |
Small to Medium |
Medium
to Large
8 to 16 lbs |
Large,
15 to 20 lb range, Most F1 & F2's average about 18 lbs, with males
being slighter larger than females.
|
Medium
to Large, A lot of variance in size in these generations, can range from
8 to 16 lbs.
|
| Body Type |
Moderate
|
Athletic/Muscular
|
Long,
Tall, Lean, Lanky
|
Long,
Tall, Lean, Lanky
|
| Colors Available, (TICA accepted standard colors for the breed. Nonstandard colors are pet quality only) |
Silver,
Bronze and Smoke
|
Brown
Spotted Tabby (background color ranges from light buff shades to gold,
rust, all the way to dark brown,) also Silver, Snows. Nonstandard colors
that occur include blues, black, and charcoal.
|
Brown
Spotted Tabby (background color hues range from warm golden hues going
all the way to browns), Silver Spotted, Black, and Black Smoke Spotted.
Nonstandard colors that occur include Snow, Cinnamon, Chocolate, Blue,
and white.
|
Brown
Spotted Tabby (background color hues range from warm golden hues going
all the way to browns), Silver Spotted, Black, and Black Smoke Spotted.
Nonstandard colors that occur include Snow, Cinnamon, Chocolate, Blue,
and white.
|
| Coat Patterns Available, (TICA accepted standard coat pattern for breed. Nonstandard patterns are pet quality only) |
Spotted,
or Smoke
|
Spotted
or multi colored Rosettes (spots ranging in colors from rust, browns,
all the way to black), Marble
|
Solid Spots (black to dark brown), Melanistic Nonstandard: Marble pattern, or rosettes. |
Solid Spots (preferably
black to dark brown but some lighter shades occur), Melanistic |
| Glitter |
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
| Coat, LH or SH |
SH
|
SH
|
SH
|
SH
|
| Shedding |
Average
|
Below
Average
|
Average
|
Average
|
| Grooming Required |
Minimal
|
Minimal
|
Minimal
|
Minimal
|
| Hypoallergenic |
No,
same allergy effect as most cats
|
Some
individuals allergic to most cats are less allergic to Bengals.
|
Some
individuals allergic to most cats are less allergic to Savannahs.
|
Some
individuals allergic to most cats are less allergic to Savannahs.
|
| Energy Level |
Very
Active
|
Very
Active
|
Extremely
Active
|
Extremely
Active
|
|
Personality
|
More
Intelligent than the average domestic cat breed, Sensitive to Owners moods,
Very hands on and affectionate, Most like to be held and cuddled, Playful,
Energetic, some play fetch.
|
Intelligent,
playful, can be doggy-like, athletic, Very interactive with owner, some
give headbutts to family members as greeting, follows owner around from
room to room, will leash train, most play fetch and will splash in water
a bit.
|
Highly
Intelligent, very curious, very energetic, extremely athletic, very interactive
with owner, gives headbutts to bonded family members as greeting and for
affection, doggy like in personality, follows owner around home, most
leash train well, fetch, many not afraid of water, may jump in shower
with owner.
|
Highly
Intelligent, Social & Outgoing, Curious, Energetic, extremely athletic,
very interactive with owner, some give headbutts to family members as
greeting and affection, follows owner around home, doggy like in personality,
most leash train well, fetch, most not afraid of water, may jump in shower
with owner.
|
| Affectionate |
Extremely
Affectionate
|
Affectionate
|
Affectionate
|
Affectionate
|
| Talker |
Average
|
Average
to High
|
Average
|
Average
to High
|
| Lap Cat |
Can
be at times, enjoys being held and cuddling
|
50/50,
some will tolerate being held or picked up for short times, usually will
sleep in bed with family. More of an individual trait. Some like to be
held a lot, some do not, but most like to be near their owners most of
the time.
|
NO,
most do not tolerate being picked up or held, preferring to hang out near
their owners & being involved in your activities, but will usually
sleep in bed with family
|
NO,
prefer to hang out near their owners & being involved in your activities,
but will usually sleep in bed with family, lower generations from F5 and
on can sometimes be more hands on than earlier generations.
|
| Acrobatic |
Graceful
Acrobat, nothing too crazy
|
Amateur
Daredevil, Possibly thinks they are part monkey, can sometimes be a little
bit clumsy. Keep valuable breakables out of reach.
|
Professional Kamikaze Stuntmen, Extremely High Jumpers & Climbing skills combined with extreme curiosity, nothing in a household is out of reach. Lock away all valuable breakables. |
Professional
Kamikaze Stuntmen, Extremely High Jumpers combined with extreme curiosity,
nothing in a household is out of reach. Lock away all valuable breakables.
|
| Need for Kitten/Cat Proofing of Home |
Normal
Kitten/Cat Proofing of home
|
A
little extra than normal Kitten/Cat proofing, secure all napkins and toilet
paper away, may need to put child locks on cabinet doors and drawers.
Some individuals can open lever type doorknobs. Cat toys do not last long,
especially ones with feathers or fur. Keep toilet lids closed at all times,
they may drop small items into the toilet bowl to play in the water, which
if flushed later may cause toilet blockage.
|
Extreme
Kitten/Cat Proofing of Home required. Follow advice for Bengals and in
addition: Secure all breakables. Can jump 8-9 feet from sitting position,
nothing out of their reach. Can chew through electrical cords, plastic
bags, fake plants, can ingest normal cat toys, etc which can cause life
threatening intestinal blockages. Toys should be chosen carefully for
durability and safety. Keep toilet lids closed. Most individuals can work
lever type door knobs.
|
A
little extra Kitten proofing than normal. Follow advice for Bengals and
in addition choose toys carefully, secure electrical cords and plastic
bags, secure breakables in the home. Some individuals might open lever
type door knobs. Lower generations less intense.
|
|
Litterbox
Habits
|
Good,
unaltered males and females will spray urine
|
Good,
unaltered males and females will spray urine
|
Good,
unaltered males and females will spray urine
|
Good,
unaltered males and females will spray urine
|
| Need for Human Attention |
Average
to High
|
High
|
High
to Extremely High
|
High
to Extremely High
|
| Lifestyles Suitable For |
Suitable
for Individuals, Families, Children, Good for most any lifestyle. They
can get lonesome if left home alone a lot and will seek your attention
when you return home.
|
Individuals,
Families, Children, with up to moderately busy lifestyles-if left home
alone alot, they can exhibit undesirable behaviors out of boredom and
loneliness. A second pet (cat or other) can help alleviate this boredom
and prevent negative or destructive behaviors during your absence. Bengals
like to have regular interactive playtimes daily with their families.
|
Best
suited to Individuals or Families that are not excessively busy with work
and social events, and are home a lot. They do not do well alone and can
exhibit negative behaviors out of boredom and loneliness. Time and effort
must be put in daily with high percentage SVs in order to develop and
maintain a strong bond. Savannahs are highly active and as such, are typically
not an appropriate choice as a pet for individuals who are extremely picky
about their furniture or other belongings in the household. They do well
with another companion pet to alleviate boredom or loneliness during your
absence.
|
Individuals,
Families, Children with up to moderately busy lifestyles-if left home
alone alot, they can exhibit undesirable behaviors out of boredom and
loneliness. A second pet (cat or other) can help alleviate this boredom
and prevent negative or destructive behaviors during your absence. Regular
interactive playtime daily with their family is important.
|
| Gets Along with Other Pets (if properly introduced and socialized) |
Yes
|
Yes,
supervise with smaller pets and birds
|
Yes,
typically do well with other cats and often dogs as well. Smaller animals
that would be considered natural prey for cats should be kept securely
caged at all times.
|
Yes,
typically do well with other cats and often dogs as well. Smaller animals
that would be considered natural prey for cats should be kept securely
caged at all times.
|
| Behavior with Children, (All animals should be supervised with young children under the age of 6 years old) |
Suitable
for all ages
|
Suitable
for all ages
|
Most
Savannahs enjoy interacting with well behaved children. More caution should
be exercised with earlier generation Savannahs who are more sensitive
to excitement and overstimulation.
|
Most
Savannahs enjoy interacting with well behaved children.
|
| Bonds to family members |
Yes,
Extremely, Do not rehome well as adults
|
Yes,
Do not rehome well as adults
|
Yes,
Usually bonds closely with one or two family members and can be a bit
standoffish with others. Do not rehome well as adults.
|
Yes,
less standoffish than the higher generations & more hands on. Do not
rehome well as adults.
|
| Behavior with Strangers |
Can
be Shy, comes around after a little while
|
Some
individuals are naturally outgoing, Some Shy/Skittish, though they usually
come around after a little while.
|
Outgoing
& Confident
|
Outgoing
& Confident
|
| Ease of Handling / Vet Visits |
Average
|
Can
be a handful at times
|
Can
be difficult
|
Can
be a handful
|
| Behavior when Startled or Frightened |
Pretty
even-tempered, might hide if frightened, but easily subdued
|
Usually
will run and hide if possible, if handled while frightened might scratch
or inflict small minor bites after they audibly and visually warn you
to back off, in extreme cases
|
Usually
will run and hide if possible, if handled while frightened might scratch
or inflict small minor bites after they audibly and visually warn you
to back off, in extreme cases.
|
Usually
will run and hide if possible, if handled while frightened might scratch
or inflict small minor bites after they audibly and visually warn you
to back off, in extreme cases
|
| Special Diet |
High quality meat based domestic diet
|
High
quality meat based domestic diet (no glutens, corn or grains)
|
Best
on balanced raw diet, but can eat high quality meat based domestic diet
(no glutens, corn or grains)
|
High
quality meat based domestic diet (no glutens, corn or grains)
|
| Special Health Care |
None
|
Some
may be sensitive to Ketamine Anesthesia, Killed Virus Vaccines Only, No
FIP or FIV vaccinations should be given.
|
Sensitive
to Ketamine Anesthesia, Give Killed Virus Vaccines Only, Many SV breeders
advise do not give FIV, FIP or FeLV Vaccinations
|
Sensitive
to Ketamine Anesthesia, Give Killed Virus Vaccines Only, Many SV breeders
advise do not give FIV, FIP or FeLV Vaccinations
|
| Initial Cost for TICA Registered Quality Purebred Pet |
$500-1000
|
$500-$1200
Expect to pay more for the biggest flashiest rosettes and extreme contrast like you see in photos of bengals in magazines |
$3500-$12,000
Prices vary by generation and quality with F1's or high percentage SV's the highest |
$1000-$4000
Prices vary by generation, quality, and fertility |
| Availability |
Harder
to find quality purebred Maus, expect most Mau breeders to have waiting
lists
|
Usually
readily available, may be some waiting lists for top quality rosetted
or specific breedings
|
Expect
a waiting list due to difficulty of successful breedings and small litter
sizes
|
May
be some waiting required, but becoming more readily available
|
| Scams |
A
lot of "mixed" or unregistered Maus out there. Be sure Maus
are CFA or TICA registered as pure pedigreed Maus.
|
Should
be TICA registered if true pedigreed Bengal. A lot of backyard breeder
types breeding poor genetic quality Bengals for cheap. Buyer Beware, you
get what you pay for. Reputable breeders screen their breeding cats for
genetic & health issues, good temperaments, good breed traits, and
will offer a health guarantee.
|
Should
be TICA registered, if true pedigreed Savannah. Note in early generations
there will not be a long history on a TICA pedigree. Lots of scams in
this breed because of the high prices. Some breeders make claims on kitten's
future adult size, but this is actually impossible to guarantee for certain.
Some con artists are selling false Savannahs to take advantage of people
who have not learned a lot about this new breed yet. Also, Beware of "Ashera
Cat". An Ashera is an extremely overpriced Savannah. Do research
about the breed before spending any money and make sure to purchase from
a reputable, experienced, and known breeder.
|
Should
be TICA registered, if true pedigreed Savannah. Lots of scams in this
breed because of the high prices. Some breeders make claims on kitten's
future adult size, but this is actually impossible to guarantee for certain.
Some con artists are selling false Savannahs to take advantage of people
who have not learned a lot about this new breed yet. Also, Beware of "Ashera
Cat". An Ashera is an extremely overpriced Savannah. Do research
about the breed before spending any money and make sure to purchase from
a reputable, experienced, and known breeder.
|
Breed Comparison Chart 2008-2014 Copyright Tracy Wilson, Wild Trax Exotics. DO NOT USE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION BY WILD TRAX.