Do you know genetic mutation plays an important role to give cats color? If you’re thinking to adopt a pet Savannah cat, then you must read this article before buying!
Well, this is because you must know there are various Savannah cat colors and patterns, and choosing from these could be confusing therefore, we will help you to the most appropriate one for you.
There are 8 nonstandard colors and 2 unrecognized patterns. Spotted, on the other hand, is the sole legitimate pattern recognized by the TICA code.
Standard Savannah Cat Colors
The colors of Savannah are divided into four categories, as seen below. This color scheme has been approved by the International Cat Association.
| Acceptable Savannah Cat Colors |
|---|
| Brown (black) spotted tabby |
| Black Silver spotted tabby |
| Black |
| Black smoke |
1. Brown (Black) Spotted Tabby
It is a famous color option in Savannah cat colors. Many people love this color and adopt them because it gives the hint of a wild cat look.
The color can vary from cool tones to warm tones. The cool color Savannah will have a beige color base and black color spots.
The warm color spectrum will have a variety of browns. They can carry a range of colors: wheat color, sable, sand color or even yellow and golden color too.
They can carry brown spots, orangish-brown or dark brown, or even inky black spots. Well, a black-colored nose with a yellow gold base coat is quite rare and an exceptional color case.
If a young kitten is born with this color combination it will lose its charm once they get into adulthood. These babies will carry a neutral-beige base hue when they reach six months of age.
2. Black Smoke
Black Smoke kittens are usually born with a black coat but when you closely look at them while dividing their hair you will notice the presence of white color in the roots.
You will find it pretty easy to spot marking on their body if you compare them with solely Black Savannah. They either have a typical dense brown color paw or they will have charcoal color paw pads.
They tend to have a solid black-colored nose, and it was found in their ancestors too.
Cat owners find this color attractive and would love to adopt them. You will notice their paws have dark brown or charcoal color and their cute little nose have pure black color.
3. Black Savannah
The Black Savannah cat has dark black color due to the presence of melanin. It is responsible for dark pigmentation on the coats of cats. They are dark and carry spots on their body.
You may find it very difficult to find out the spots and dots on their coat because the melanin pigment is so dark that it hides the spots. However, under bright light and at specific angles you can still faintly observes the spots in their body. Dark rings are also visible on their tail. Basically, these are called ghost spots.
4. Black Silver Spotted Tabby
This color in Savannah cats can range from dim silver to charcoal grey. However, they will always have dense dark brown to black dots on their body. And, it is qualified for the show ring.
Unofficial Savannah Cat Colors
There are 8 colored Savannah that are not recognized by TICA. Although they aren’t accepted by the cat organization, they are the favorite of many cat owners, and they are eye-pleasing too!
1. Silver Savannah
The silver color under Savannah cat’s coloring is quite recent which is still being acknowledged and accepted by breeders and cat owners.
They can carry dark or light coat colors and have lighter shades of grey and darker shades of grey on their body along with black dots.
This color cat is essentially a brown spotted tabby with an inhibitor gene that prevents the brown gene from expressing itself. As a consequence, they’ll have a base coat that’s silvery in color.
Do you know that it’s the second most popular Savannah color?
Their spot color can lie from charcoal color to deep black color. Silver coloring was introduced into the Savannah breed during its early development when domestic cats of various types were utilized to create the Savannahs.
2. Lavender
The appearance of lavender color in the Savannah cats is rare. They have general domestic cat grey marking over creamy or peachy background coats.
It is actually made of dilution of brown coat color. It is rare and therefore can be only built in a certain fusion of recessive genes.
3. White Savannah
White color Savannah is rare and exceptions they get white fur when they carry inhibitor genes that pause the growth of other color pigments.
It is like you throwing white color all over other colors to stop them from outshining. The case is similar in white color pigmentation in white Savannah cats.
You can find them with white patches plus they can have a light white undercoat also. This color was not originally originated from Savannah cat breeds but the white color was developed by crossbreeding. Therefore, if you’re planning to adopt white Savannah probably you should avoid it.
4. Fawn Savannah
It is a diluted variation of cinnamon color. They have a warm beige color with mix tone of pink on their body.
Well, they are also recessive genes. So, that means both mother and father cat must have fawned color in their genes to produce a fawn color Savannah kitten.
5. Chocolate Savannah
Just like fawn color Savannah the chocolate color is also a recessive gene. That means both parent cats must have the same color chocolate coat to reproduce a chocolate color Savannah kitten.
They have a dense brown color coat along with warm shades of the color spectrum. The marking on their body will follow the color range of dark brown to any black tone.
6. Snow Savannah
Yes, just like Bengal cats Savannah can also have snow color on their body. However, this color is quite difficult to come by. They are also widely known as Seal or Seal Lynx.
They have a pale color background: have pale ivory to creamy beige color variations. This is then layered with a design in pale browns that contrasts well enough with the background. You can see that on their legs, head, tail.
Moreover, they have blue or aqua color eyes.
7. Cinnamon
The cinnamon coat is a warm pale brown coloring with deeper colored patterns superimposed on it. These colors of Savannah are also recessive genes like lavender and chocolate.
Mother and father cat must have cinnamon color to produce cinnamon color baby kitten. However, this color is pretty uncommon and hard to find.
8. Blue or Grey
Blue pigments on the fur of the cat are produced by diluting the black color. Call it blue Savannah cat or grey both are the same. It is not recognized by the TICA organization.
They can carry all three pattern markings.
Savannah Cat Patterns
Rosette and marbled patterns are not officially accepted for Savannah cat whereas spotted is under their standard code.
1. Spotted Patterned Savannah
Savannah cats with spotted patterns on their body are the one and only pattern marking accepted by the TICA organization under their standard code.
They have “ocille,” which are characteristic markings on their (extremely large) ears. And, these markings are in eye-like structure present on the ears of many wild cats.
Do you know predators are said to be confused by these marks?
They have bold dark circular or oval or long spots on their body. It is generally in dark brown color or black color.
The parallel lines run through their heads back, and it also strikes on the shoulder and branches out across the back. This line will be guided in the backward direction. Tiny spots are present on a spotted Savannah feline’s legs, paws, or face.
2. Marbled Savannah
This pattern is derived from domestic felines. It is a recessive gene. Even though it imitates a wild cat pattern more than a spotted pattern, it is not recognized by the official breed standard.
The patterns do not at all reflect the wild African Serval cat pattern that was actually utilized to generate the Savannah breed.
You can identify this marking if you see big spots along with running stripes on their body.
3. Rosette
Large circular “rosettes” are bordered by a mixture of spots and stripes on these Savannah cats. This pattern closely resembles that of a Bengal cat.
Well, That’s a Wrap!
In conclusion to Savannah cat colors, there are four major TICA-approved colors that are black, brown (black) spotted tabby, black silver spotted tabby, black, and smoke.
8 colors are not recognized by the breed standard, but it does not deter people from desiring a Savannah cat as a domestic pet. They are still beloved by their owners, and they are well-known.
If you like our Savannah coat colors and patterns article make sure to share it with other owners too!
References
- Savannah cat — Wikipedia
- Savannah Cat Facts — ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
- Savannah — Vet Street