Serengeti
The Serengeti is a deliberately created breed designed to produce a domestic cat resembling the African Serval — but without introducing wild cat genetics (unlike the Savannah, which actually crosses with Servals).
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United States
Lifespan
10–15 years
Weight
3.5–7 kg (8–15 lbs)
Height
25–35 cm (10–14 in)
Exercise
20 to 30 min/day
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-protein diet recommended for an active muscular breed.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Serengeti is a deliberately created breed designed to produce a domestic cat resembling the African Serval — but without introducing wild cat genetics (unlike the Savannah, which actually crosses with Servals). Developed by biologist Karen Sausman in 1994 by crossing Bengal cats with Oriental Shorthairs, the Serengeti combines the Bengal's spotted coat with the Oriental's long legs, large round ears, and elegant body, producing a cat that looks remarkably Serval-like entirely through domestic genetics.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Serengeti is a long-legged, medium-large cat with unusually long legs relative to body size — giving it a tall, elegant profile similar to the Serval. The head is rounded with very large, forward-facing ears set wide apart. The coat is short and spotted — large, round or slightly elongated spots on a warm brown or silver background.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Low
Coat Length
short
Coat Type
smooth
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Rarely
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Serengetis are active, confident, and vocal — they combine Bengal energy with Oriental sociability. They are people-oriented and enjoy interaction. They are athletic climbers and jumpers.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
3/5Attention Need
4/5Friendliness
4/5Playfulness
5/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Small-Garden
Daily Exercise
20 to 30 min/day
Ideal Weather
15°C to 32°C
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor-Outdoor
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
30%
Attention
40%
Playfulness
50%
Communication Style
Vocal Profile
chatty
Stress Signals
destructive behaviour, excessive vocalisation, spraying, restlessness
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Minimal grooming. Very active — needs large space, tall cat trees, and daily vigorous play. Interactive feeding and puzzles essential.
Nutrition Notes
Bengal × Oriental SH. No wild blood. Generally healthy. High-protein diet.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
HCM. PRA possible (Bengal heritage). Urolithiasis. No wild blood (unlike Savannah). Created to look like a Serval without wild ancestry. Still in development. 10-15 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
400 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
280 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Generally a healthy breed from diverse parent stocks. HCM from Bengal lineage. PRA from Bengal ancestry — DNA test may be available.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
No wild blood (unlike Savannah). Still in development. India: suits climate.
Purchase Price
$800 to $2,500
Adoption Fee
$75 to $400
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Serengeti was created by a wildlife biologist — Karen Sausman, who also worked as a zookeeper — with the explicit goal of producing a Serval-like domestic cat without any actual wild cat genetics.
Serengeti cats are named after the Serengeti ecosystem in East Africa — home to the Serval, which the breed is designed to visually resemble.
