Ruqayyah Snyder
Savannah cats are a hybrid species, bred from crossing a domestic cat with an African serval. They are larger than the average domestic cat, weighing up to 13.5 kilograms, and are popular in the pet trade in some countries. However, they are banned in Australia due to the risk they pose to native wildlife. The Australian government assessed the risk of Savannah cats establishing in the wild as high, as they are likely to retain the efficient hunting traits of the wild African serval, endangering native species.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for ban | Risk to native mammals, birds and reptiles |
| Date of ban | 2008 |
| Weight | Up to 13.5 kg |
| Height | 40-45 cm |
| Legality in other countries | Legal in the US |
| Related banned breeds | Safari cats, Chausie cats, Bengal cats |
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What You'll Learn
Savannah cats are a hybrid species
The breeding of Savannah cats is a relatively new practice, carried out primarily for the designer pet industry. Their popularity as pets in some countries, particularly in the United States, is due in part to their exotic appearance, which includes distinctive large dark spots and markings, as well as a short coat that can come in various colours, including black, brown, silver spotted tabby, orange, gold, and black smoke.
However, the hybridisation of Savannah cats also results in them inheriting wild-serval-like behaviours. This includes enhanced hunting abilities, making them a potential threat to native wildlife in countries like Australia, where they are banned. The Australian government's decision to ban the importation of Savannah cats was based on the assessment that they posed an extreme risk to native animals and the environment. This risk is heightened by the fact that Savannah cats can breed with feral cats, producing offspring that are larger and stronger, with improved hunting capabilities.
The impact of introducing Savannah cats into Australia's ecosystem could be devastating. Research suggests that an additional 29 native mammal species would be threatened by the introduction of Savannah cats, as they are capable of hunting prey twice the size of that hunted by domestic cats. Furthermore, mammal species living in trees, dense vegetation, and swampy areas would also come under increased pressure from these hybrid cats.
The Australian government's decision to ban Savannah cats was, therefore, a precautionary measure to protect the country's vulnerable native wildlife, demonstrating the importance of regulating the introduction of hybrid species to prevent potential ecological disasters.
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They pose a risk to native wildlife
The savannah cat, a hybrid species bred from a serval and a domestic cat, is larger and heavier than the average domestic cat. While domestic cats typically weigh around 4 kilograms, savannah cats can weigh up to 11 kilograms or even 13.5 kilograms, according to some sources. This extra size gives them a significant advantage when hunting.
Savannah cats pose a risk to native wildlife in Australia. Research by the Australian National University found that roaming pet cats in Australia already kill 546 million animals a year, 323 million of which are native animals. If savannah cats were to establish a population in Australia, their impacts are believed to be worse than those of feral cats, which already wreak havoc on native fauna. This is because they can breed with feral cats, producing larger and stronger offspring that would be capable of preying on larger native species that have previously eluded feral cats.
An assessment commissioned by the Australian government found that the savannah cat posed an extreme threat to native wildlife, with a likelihood that each generation would retain the more efficient hunting traits of the wild African serval. According to wildlife shelters in the United States, savannah cats are frequently surrendered or released due to wild-serval-like behaviours that the hybrids can exhibit. This means there is an extreme risk of escape or release, which could lead to established populations in the wild.
In addition, mammal species that live in trees, dense vegetation, and swampy areas would be particularly vulnerable to savannah cats as predators. The Australian government's decision to ban savannah cats from Australia is therefore supported by research and is considered good science.
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The government banned them in 2008
The Australian government banned the importation of Savannah cats in 2008, deeming them a serious pest that could prey on native species. Savannah cats are a hybrid species, bred from a serval and a domestic cat, and are larger and more efficient hunters than domestic cats. They can weigh up to 13.5 kilograms, compared to the average domestic cat, which weighs around 4 kilograms.
The government's decision was informed by a Threatened Species Recovery Hub study, which found that an additional 29 native mammal species would be under threat from Savannah cats if they were introduced to Australia. The study also found that mammal species living in trees, dense vegetation, and swampy areas would be at higher risk of predation. Furthermore, the government assessed the risk of Savannah cats establishing in the wild as high due to an extreme risk of escape or release, as they are frequently surrendered or released in the United States due to their wild-serval-like behaviours.
The government's ban was also a response to a commercial pet breeder's application to import Savannah cats to Australia in 2008. This application sparked a rapid government review and public consultation, resulting in amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The government applied the precautionary principle, recognising the limited information available to assess the risks posed by Savannah cats at the time.
The ban on Savannah cats in Australia is part of the country's stringent regulations regarding the importation of certain dog and cat breeds. These regulations aim to balance the high pet ownership in Australia with the need to protect public safety and native wildlife. The government's decision to ban Savannah cats specifically considered the potential impact on native flora and fauna, recognising the devastating effects of feral cats on Australia's biodiversity.
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They are larger than domestic cats
The Savannah cat is a hybrid species, a cross between a domestic cat and the much larger African serval. Domestic cats usually weigh around 4 kilograms, whereas Savannah cats can weigh up to 11 kilograms, with some sources claiming they can weigh over 13.5 kilograms. This makes them significantly larger than domestic cats.
The Savannah cat's size is a cause for concern in Australia, where they are banned. The Australian government considers them a potential danger to native wildlife, which is already under threat from domestic cats. Savannah cats can hunt prey twice the size of that hunted by domestic cats, putting a further 29 native mammal species at risk.
The Australian government's decision to ban Savannah cats was based on scientific evidence and risk assessments. A study by Professor Chris Dickman from the University of Sydney's School of Life and Environmental Sciences supported the government's decision, finding that the introduction of Savannah cats could have had devastating consequences for Australia's native species.
The size of Savannah cats is not just a result of their hybridization with the African serval but also their selective breeding in the designer pet industry. This breeding has resulted in a lean, tall cat with long legs, a long neck, and large ears. These physical attributes contribute to their size and hunting abilities, making them efficient hunters that could seriously impact Australia's vulnerable wildlife.
The potential impact of Savannah cats on Australia's ecosystem is not just theoretical. In 2008, a commercial pet breeder applied to import Savannah cats into the country. This sparked a rapid government review and public consultation, leading to amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to explicitly ban the importation of Savannah cats.
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They are popular pets in the US
Savannah cats are a hybrid species, bred from a serval and a domestic cat, for the pet trade. They are popular pets in the US, where they are legal, and are bred for showing. However, they are banned in Australia due to the risk they pose to native wildlife. The Australian government banned the importation of Savannah cats in 2008 after a commercial pet breeder applied to import them, sparking a rapid government review and public consultation. The government assessed the risk of Savannah cats establishing in the wild as high due to the extreme risk of escape or release.
Savannah cats are larger than the average domestic cat and can weigh up to 13.5 kilograms. They are also able to breed with feral cats, producing offspring that is larger and stronger, with increased hunting efficiency. This hybrid would be capable of preying on larger native species that have previously eluded feral cats. An assessment commissioned by the Australian government found that the Savannah cat posed an extreme threat to native wildlife, with a likelihood that each generation would retain the more efficient hunting traits of the wild African serval.
In addition to the environmental concerns, there are also public safety concerns associated with importing certain cat breeds into Australia. While Savannah cats are not specifically banned due to safety concerns, other breeds such as the American Pit Bull Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, and Japanese Tosa are banned from entering the country as they are considered potentially dangerous to people and other animals.
The decision to ban Savannah cats from Australia was based on scientific research and validated by a subsequent study led by Professor Chris Dickman from the University of Sydney. This study presented a framework for making evidence-based assessments of risk when introducing new hybrid designer pets. The research showed that the ban on Savannah cats protected Australian wildlife and that government regulation can be very effective in mitigating risks posed by invasive species.
While some may argue for the benefits of keeping Savannah cats as pets, the potential negative impacts on the environment and native wildlife in Australia outweigh these considerations. The Australian government's decision to ban the importation of Savannah cats was made to protect the country's unique and vulnerable flora and fauna.
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Frequently asked questions
Savannah cats are a hybrid species, bred from a serval and a domestic cat. They pose a risk to native wildlife in Australia, which has no native cat species. They can weigh up to 13.5 kilograms, almost three times the weight of a domestic cat, and can hunt prey twice the size.
If you are in possession of a Savannah cat in Australia, you must contact the relevant authorities within 24 hours. Penalties may apply. You must not keep, move, give away, sell or release a Savannah cat into the environment.
Other banned cat breeds include the Safari cat, the Bengal cat, and the Chausie cat.
In 2008, a commercial pet breeder applied to import Savannah cats to Australia. This sparked a rapid government review and public consultation, which led to amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The Australian government banned the importation of Savannah cats, citing the risks to native wildlife.
