Sampson is an F1 Savannah cat who was seized by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in New Hampshire. He arrived at EFRC on December 27, 2012. A Savannah cat is a hybrid cat that is the offspring of an African serval and a domestic cat. Hybrid crosses are classified by filial generations; F1 is the first generation (the children). Cross an F1 with another domestic cat to get an F2 (the grandchildren). Cross an F2 with another domestic cat to get an F3 (the great-grandchildren of the serval).
Many, but not all, jurisdictions limit private ownership to F3 hybrids. Savannah cats are banned as exotic animals in some parts of the United States. They are known for their tail, slender bodies, big ears, and exotic-looking patterns retained from their serval heritage. They also retain another common serval trait—they can be unfriendly cats!
Servals tend to pair-bond with the first human they meet. Savannah cats can cost $3,000 or significantly more.
Sampson, December 23, 2014
Sampson, January 15, 2015
