Siberian vs African Serval - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Siberian vs African Serval - Breed ComparisonAfrican Serval is originated from South Africa but Siberian is originated from Russia. African Serval may weigh 11 kg / 25 pounds more than Siberian. Both African Serval and Siberian has almost same life span. Both African Serval and Siberian has same litter size. African Serval requires Low Maintenance. But Siberian requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

undefined
South Africa
Russia
Weight Male:
9 - 18 kg
19 - 40 pounds
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 18 kg
19 - 40 pounds
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 20 Years
11 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
None
None
Colors Available:
Spotted and striped with black against a golden/tawny shade
tabby and solid., colorpoint, Different colors such as tortoiseshell
Coat:
short
3 Layers - thick and silky
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

african servalThe African Serval is a wild cat that hails from Africa. You’ll see them on Africa’s savannas where there is tall grass and reeds, preferably near water.

If you want to own a serval cat, you have to check whether you require licenses and permits as they are particularly difficult to rehome once you have owned one. Humans have kept them since ancient times, but they are not domesticated cats as such.

Breeding servals arrived in the United States many decades ago. Breeders have also crossed serval cats with domestic cats to produce hybrids, one of which is the Savannah cat.

siberianThe beautiful Siberian cat originated from Russia, a very cold area which explains his thick coat.

This is a natural variety of domestic cat. It is an ancient breed and it is believed that it is ancestral to all modern long-haired cats.

The Siberian is the national cat of Russia. The cat first arrived in the United States in 1990.

Description

african serval kitten - descriptionThe Serval is a medium to large-sized cat that stands at between 54–62 cm in height and weighs in the region of 9–18 kg.

Some people think its a cat that looks similar to a Cheetah and this is because it also has a small head. It is known for its large ears which are black at the back with a large white dot. The attractively patterned coat is both spotted and striped with black against a golden/tawny shade.

These wild cats make a number of different noises - high pitched cries to growls, spitting sounds and purring. Another well-known feature with the cat is its particularly long legs. The tail has some black rings and it is black-tipped. The eyes of the Serval are a brown/greeny color.

The Serval cats will only come together for mating and then they resume their solitary lives. Gestation lasts for roughly 73 days after which up to 6 kittens can be born. In captivity, a Serval can live to be about 20 years of age.

Temperament:

The Serval is an active cat night and day. They are solitary animals not known for strong social interactions with humans but they can be playful with the few humans he gets to know.

People need to always know that owning a wild pet like this comes with risks. Not only that, a Serval wants to mark its territory and while you may provide a litter box, it's not to say he will use it.

They are able to bond with humans to some extent, more so if they were hand-fed from early on. They bond with one person and can form an affectionate relationship with that one person.

siberian kitten - descriptionThe Siberian is a medium to large-sized cat that weighs between 3 and 7kg. They are known to be excellent jumpers.

It is a powerfully built cat with large paws and a full tail. The ears are medium in size with large round eyes. The cat has a slight arch to its back as the hind legs are a bit longer than the front legs.

The glossy coat is in three layers to protect it from extreme weather conditions. It comes in different colors such as tortoiseshell, colorpoint, tabby, and solid. He sheds a couple of times a year.

Temperament:

The Siberian cat is highly affectionate with family and playful too. In spite of that, he also loves curling up close to where his humans are.

This friendly cat will want to follow you and be where you are. They’re intelligent and can be taught a few tricks. Because they’re athletic, it will be a good idea to buy him a climbing tree as he loves to leap up to a perch and watch things going on. He gets on well with children and other pets.

Characteristics

african serval cat - characteristicsThe African Serval is a wild animal and should be left in the wild.

However, if you do decide to bring one into your home as a pet, they aren’t recommended for homes with young children or for a first-time pet owner.

Their play is rough and they like to use their teeth and claws during play. If the child gets hurt, then in typical unfair human fashion, the Serval is the one who suffers. They are capable of making good pets though but it is not recommended.

siberian cat - characteristicsYour Siberian loves to climb and explore and to keep this gorgeous cat mentally stimulated and physically active, provide him with some fun toys that require him to think.

They are nice and strong these cats as well as being curious and alert and you see this in the bright, shiny eyes.

They’ve got easygoing personalities and are also considered fairly low maintenance cats, making them the perfect choice for any cat lover.

They are devoted and loyal to their human family and one of these cats in your home is guaranteed to bring in joy, entertainment, fun, and solid companionship.

Health Problems

african serval kittens - health problemsMake sure that before you take in a Serval as a pet you have access to a good veterinarian who is experienced in helping exotic pets.

Also, the African Serval, when domesticated, will need the same cat vaccines that you would give your regular kitten.

siberian kittens - health problemsSiberian cats can succumb to stomach issues such as IBS. If you think your Siberian is in pain, he will need a visit to the vet. These cats are also susceptible to some hereditary health issues such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. If you buy a kitten, make sure you get your kitten from a reputable source.

To ensure the best health for your Siberian, he will need high-quality cat food. High-quality food can actually prevent many health issues in the cat. A good idea will be to feed your Siberian vet-recommended food and in the right portions to keep him at the ideal weight.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

african serval cats - caringThe Serval is a wild cat so in the wilds it eats prey such as frogs, birds and reptiles. They are known for leaping high into the air to catch prey but they will also burrow into holes to get prey out.

You should try to provide your Serval pet with some whole prey. Do research on the food of Servals because you will need to offer your wild pet a feline supplement. There are also formulated pelleted food, but this shouldn’t form the bulk of his food but rather be a supplement to his meats. Choose a variety of meats such as chicken, mice, turkey, beef, duck as well as rabbits and birds.

Space:

If you keep a serval, it is imperative that it has large outdoor areas to roam in. They’re nocturnal animals, so they become more active at night. They’re used to living near streams in the wild so some kind of pool will be required for him, possibly even a fish pond where he can catch his own fish.

siberian cats - caringPrepare your home for the arrival of your Siberian cat. Cats are natural climbers and scratchers and he will need a scratching post, climbing tree, litter box, food and water bowls, bed as well as collar and tag. Also, invest in a large cat carrier, as your cat will need to be transported safely to the vet at certain times.

Provide toys for your Siberian cat. They’re intelligent and you don’t want to have him bored and listless. They need mental and physical stimulation so it will be fun to invest in some puzzle games for your pet.

Siberians have lovely thick coats and you want the right grooming accessories to brush him so that the coat doesn’t get dull and tangled. He will need to be brushed once or twice a week, especially when he sheds.

Keep your Siberian healthy by seeing he gets to the vet when he is sick. Also, if he is a kitten, he will need his vaccines. He will need to be checked over for parasites too – ticks, fleas, and worms, more so if he is an outdoor cat.

Trim your Siberian's nails as needed and also check the inside of his ears for signs of redness, dirt, and wax buildup as well as unpleasant odors. Many cat owners don’t like to probe around inside a cat’s ears as it can be damaging if you don’t know what you’re doing. Rather ask your vet to do it for you.

The vet can also check your cat’s teeth for signs of infection. Many people recommend cleaning the cat's teeth with a brush and cat toothpaste but this can be most traumatic for a cat and your pet groomer or vet can rather check his teeth for you.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. African Serval vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. African Serval vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Chausie vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. American Bobtail vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  5. American Curl vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  6. American Keuda vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  7. American Longhair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  8. American Polydactyl vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  9. American Shorthair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  10. American Wirehair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  11. Applehead Siamese vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  12. Ashera vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  13. Asian vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  14. Asian Semi-Longhair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  15. Australian Mist vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  16. Balinese vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  17. Bengal vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  18. Bicolor vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  19. Birman vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  20. Blue Russian vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  21. Bombay vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  22. Brazilian Shorthair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  23. Bristol vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  24. British Longhair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  25. British Shorthair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  26. Siberian vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. Siberian vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Siberian vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. Siberian vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. Siberian vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. Siberian vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. Siberian vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. Siberian vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. Siberian vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. Siberian vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Siberian vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Siberian vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. Siberian vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. Siberian vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. Siberian vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Siberian vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. Siberian vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. Siberian vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. Siberian vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. Siberian vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. Siberian vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  47. Siberian vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  48. Siberian vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  49. Siberian vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  50. Siberian vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison