Savannah cats, despite their cute looks, are still the descendants of wild cats, and they are prohibited in some parts of the world, such as Hawaii, Georgia, and Massachusetts.
New York, for example, allows Savannah cats provided they are more than 4 or 5 generations away from their wild roots. So, how exactly are Savannah cats different from Servals?
Origin
The basic difference is that Savannah cats are domestic, and servals are wild cats. And a wild cat can not just become a lap cat that naps in your lap.
Domestication has made Savannah cats very different from servals.
Savannah cats, however, do have a touch of wilderness inside them. If you look closely, you will notice the connection with servals.
Some Similarities...
Servals can jump pretty far, both in terms of length and height. So can Savannah cats. Also, both of them have large ears, which is another trait they are widely recognized for.
Even though the two have similar personalities, Servals are rather aggressive to other animals or humans. They appreciate their privacy. Whereas, Savannah cats can be trained in a similar way as dogs.
Their Size & Meal Size
Both breeds are medium-sized cats, but there is a big difference when a cat is medium-sized and domestic, and medium-sized in the wilderness.
A Serval eats around 20 small meals a day because they hunt their prey. They have to hunt and catch their food. Unlike a Savannah cat, which will happily eat cat food.
An adult savannah cat only needs to eat one 8-ounce cup of food each day. You can feed them in one meal, or split the portion into two separate meals a day.