I need a new cat!! Exotic suggestions? I want something a little on the big side.

Are you looking for something that can actually be a pet, or do you just want an exotic cat?

Check out Savannah cats if you want a pet. They're a cross between an African Serval and a domestic Bengal cat. They'll fit in your price range and are supposed to be really cool pets, but may not be quite as exotic/large as you want?

 

For a cat?!!! Holy cow. I'm a dog guy and all but one have been shelter adoptions or from "cheap/free" puppy ads. I can rationalize $1MM+ for a Ferrari but not $2K for cat (unless it's a tiger/lion), or dog for that matter. To each his own.

Good luck with the search; post pics of the pricey puddycat!

 

The earlier poster was correct about it being a hybrid from an African Serval cat. However,
you might prefer one that doesn't have any Bengal in the pedigree. Both Bengals and Savannahs come "spotted" and "marbled" (stripes). But Bengals have a quality to their fur called "glitter" that isn't desirable in Savannahs.

If you've seen the series of CarMax TV commercials with animals in front of a TV, the cat is likely a full Serval. The offspring of a full Serval and a domestic shorthair cat is called "F-1, the F-1's offspring is categorized as a F-2 and so on. If you wanted to breed and exhibit Savannahs, you have to get down to F-6. Some states such as Georgia and New York City prohibit the ownership of these hybrid exotics.

Having owned Bengals and Savannahs, their physiques and temperments are very different:
Bengals tend to be short-legged, low to the ground and don't like to be held, yet are friendly enough to sit on your lap or sleep with you. Savannahs are tall and leggy like Siamese and super-playful. Maybe too affectionate. Much has to do with how they are handled as kittens. There are videos on YouTube showing how high Savannahs can jump. Servals hunt by jumping out of tall grass and snatch low-flying birds. The trait is carried on in Savannahs.

There is a Savannah advertiser in luxury lifestyle magazines. Won't say who but they are usually the only advertiser. The cats they picture play with scale to make the cats look huge (ie. a F-1 or F-2 male, being walked on a leash, they enjoy that, by 4 or 5-year old children). By the time you have a F-5 or F-6 cat, the males tend to be between 12 to 15 pounds, the females a little less. This breeder's cats are nice, don't get me wrong, but are priced towards the upper-end.

Other than the desired "spots," physical characteristics you should look for are: Ears more on the top of the head rather than the sides; black noses (hard to get but shouldn't be a deal-killer if its pinkish) and short tails. The head or skull shape should look more typical cat-like although buyers prefer the more exotic "Oriental Shorthair" shape (wedgie).

Expect to pay $500 for non-show quality kittens to upwards of $2500-$3500 for show-quality, spectacular, males or females sold by reputable breeders. There are some breeders that have puppy-mill attitudes. I recommend going to TICA (The International Cat Association) website to get lists of reputable breeders in your state. Then look at as many as you can and check-out the breeder's attitude or philosophy (are they breeding for bucks or are they really trying to advance the look or standard of the cat).

I'll post some pictures in a few minutes.

KevFla
Orlando, FL

 

Pictured is a F-6 female and her kittens. The single kitten photos were photographed when they were 10-12 weeks old. If you want to possibly show the cat or breed kittens, you should look for what is known as SBTs. Stud-Book-Traditional. This is when the kittens are 3rd generation full Savannahs. The eight grandparents are full Savannahs. The TICA website has more information on the distinctions.

KevFla
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Not cats, but, what about these darling little exotic pets?
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HLOL! (Hyena LOL)

 

Are you looking for something of this nature or larger?
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Don't get too addicted to this new hobby, it could come back to bite you one day.
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I read that a Hyena in the wild will sometimes take an exploratory bite to see if something is edible, or dead already. People get drunk and pass out by the campfire. Hyena comes over and with their immensely powerful jaws could literally bite off their hand without even trying. Or their face...or genitals.

That baboon could probably **** you up just as bad.

 

I'd really like to get a Bengal or Savannah cat eventually, as well. I think they are fascinating animals and I've heard they are very friendly and make excellent pets. I just don't know how well one would get along with my 20lb male tabby.

Be sure to post pics if you get one!!

 

I worked with a guy who had an ocelot. I wouldn't suggest that.

 

DrS has a "kitty". how cute

 

My 20# Bengal Cat.

Tippy..
Male Leopard Bengal.
Picture with Winter Pelt.
(Has lots of glitter in his pelt.)

Hunts, kills rabbits,
talks a lot,
Sometimes, lets me hold him.
(Usually only when he is indoors.)
Sleeps with me, @ 2:00 am,, wakes me if I have a trespasser (neighbor cat)
5 years old, still plays string and chases small beads on a tile floor.
LOL

Has access to 5,000 acres. Montana De Oro, State Park, CA

Exotic Problems;
Fleas
Worms
Ear mites
one cat fight, the other, a Manx cat, was way worse.


Edwardo
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And VERY demanding at dinnertime,
sits right on you book or newspaper.
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Just darling, aren't they?

How about a Mexican Lion?
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Doc, Savannahs are said to be pretty fond of water and you've got the perfect setup. Go for it.

 

This guy has hyenas and lynxs available... AWESOME

http://shorttailedopossum.tripod.com/serval_prices.htm

 

Oooh, Screaming armadillos! My favorite kind!

 

Just make sure it's a free-flow cat

 

You're in Thailand: forget house cats and go for the real thing. And don't forget to scratch behind the ears.
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A friend of mine has female Bengal which is a lovely cat, but not as large as some of the ones mentioned here.. her cat is not as immediately friendly as my pair of Burmese for example but nevertheless a striking looking animal!

 

What state or region do you live in?

One note about owning a serval or a near generation (F1,F2):

They will bond with you like a dog. When you are away on a trip, they can go "off their feed" or act neurotic. If you have a property caretaker or a friend that looks after things, it would be a good idea for the serval to become familiar with this person as well. Like most wild animals, they will spray to mark territory. This isn't a cat that you'll keep inside the house all day while you're away, unless you want to become divorced real quick! A chain-link enclosure in a rear porch would be ideal, so that the cat can see you thru sliding glass doors.

There's a breeder in Okeechobee (FL) I need to check out. Will take photos and forward them to you to give you an idea of how to house them. The TICA website, Savannah section should have a list of breeders, some that breed servals, in your part of the country.

When walking the cats outside, they wear a jacket of sorts (with velcro straps) that you attach a leash to. Most jackets I've seen use an animal print that blend-in with the fur. I recommend a red one with "reward" in big, white block letters to help ensure that some yahoo isn't going to shoot the cat to see "whut it is" if it gets away from you. You don't want your expensive cat becoming some ding-dong's trophy.

Stephanie, I'll let you know when the next litter is born so you can come over and see them.

Kevin