Who will win in the battle of the Savannah cat vs. Maine Coon? These two huge cats are absolutely beautiful and getting to know them is an experience in itself.
Both of these felines look like wild animals. However, the difference is unmistakable. They’re definitely not that hard to tell apart.
In this article, we’ll give you an overview of both cat breeds, and we’ll tell you all about their similarities and their differences. There’s a lot to go through, so let’s jump right into it!
Savannah cat: Everything you should know
In the unique battle of the Savannah cat vs. Maine Coon, the Savannah cat is a bit more on the wilder side. She has African ancestry and is a relatively new breed that looks extremely exotic.
This cat is right between a wild animal and a domestic kitty. Considering that they haven’t been around for too long, they aren’t the perfect cat for someone who has never had a feline companion in their lives.
The first kitten of this breed was born on April 7th, 1986. It’s quite unusual to have the exact date for the birth of a species. Her name comes from the habitat that she was born in.
This breed can weigh up to 20 pounds, and live up to 20 years if you take good care of her. This means that she’s a little bit larger than an average Maine Coon cat.
Appearance
There are several differences when you’re looking at a Savannah cat vs. Maine Coon. Most of their differences are, of course, in the way they look.
The earlier generations of the Savannah cat look like wild cats. However, those traits diminished throughout the years, as they were crossed with domestic felines.
When you take a good look at a Savannah cat, the first thing that you’ll notice is her tall and slim build. She’s a sight for sore eyes, I can promise you that much.
She definitely looks larger than she actually is, however, her size will mostly depend on the exact generation. This means that the closer she is to a wild cat, the larger she’ll be in size.
When we’re looking at her coat, you can see the beautiful spots all over it. The ICA (International Cat Association) recognizes only these spots to be a part of this breed. However, you’ll see some Savannah cats that have different patterns on their fur.
This pattern mostly depends on what the Savannah cat was crossed with. I mean, a Savannah cat that was crossed with a tabby won’t have the same patterns as one that’s crossed with a solid-colored cat.
What makes this feline so popular is her face. Her face is a stark difference to her body. Her hind legs stand taller than her front legs, which makes it easy for her to jump and run.
However, her face is that of an adorable domestic cat. She has a small nose, round eyes, and tall ears. If she’s mixed with a tabby, then she’ll even have an “M” pattern on her forehead.
Personality
In this entire debate of Savannah cats vs. Maine Coon cats, there aren’t many differences in their behavior. Nonetheless, the wild nature of this cat can seep through if you’re not careful enough.
Their personality is mostly what doesn’t make them suitable for people who haven’t had any experience with cats.
When you look at a Savannah cat, you can obviously see that she’s more than able to jump on any surface that she sees as a challenge. You have to keep that in mind constantly! She’s extremely fast and has a lot of energy.
If you’re not the type of person who likes to spend hours playing with your pet, then maybe you should find another breed for yourself.
However, they’re extremely social cats. This makes them very good for families, because kids can have a rougher playtime with her, and she won’t become aggressive at any point.
On the other hand, it’s quite hard to find a Savannah cat that isn’t a little bit anxious when put into environments that are new to her. She won’t feel comfortable right away, because she will need some time to adjust to everything.
She’s also an extremely intelligent cat. This breed doesn’t have any issues with learning new tricks. She’s easily trainable, all you need to have is a little bit of patience.
Her energy levels are very high, but once you train her, she’ll understand what she can and can’t do around the house. If anything, she’ll know how to groom herself, and where to go to the toilet.
This also means that she’ll be able to learn a couple of party tricks that you’ll want to show off to your friends and family.
Maine Coon: Everything you should know
When you’re putting them in a ring and watch a Savannah cat vs. Maine Coon, you’ll see who’s the fluffier one. This gentle giant is almost as big as the Savannah cat, but the huge fur makes him look even bigger.
Maine Coon cats are large domestic cats, with ear tuffs, an elongated nose that starts from their forehead, and almond-shaped eyes.
The Savannah cat has very short fur, while the Maine Coon has very long fur that’s longer under the chin, on his belly, and around the back legs.
They originated in the United States and can weigh up to 18 pounds. This is just a small difference from the Savannah cat. However, they can live up to 13 years, or something a little longer if they’re taken care of properly.
Appearance
In the battle of the Savannah cat vs. Maine Coon, you’ll see that the Maine Coon is so much fluffier. Because of his fur, he may even seem bigger than the Savannah cat.
This is because they have two layers of coat. The undercoat is there to protect him from the colder days, and it’s quite effective. This is also the reason why Maine Coons actually love to be in the water.
Because they originated in the Northern part of the US, all of their physical traits help them become the best domestic cats.
For example, their fur is a little bit shaggy, which protects them from the ice and snow. Even their tail, which resembles the tail of a raccoon, is resistant to snow.
You have probably seen pictures of Maine Coon cats curling up their tails and stepping on them. They do this in order to protect their paws from the cold snow.
In addition to everything else that’s huge about this breed, they also have huge paws. You may even see multiple toes on his feet.
Those paws are great for keeping his balance on a snowy road, but it also makes him stable enough to run and jump on different surfaces.
If you’re lucky enough that your Maine Coon grows to the full size that’s recorded for this breed, then you may have to deal with a cat that is up to 40 inches long. This is a huge cat, and you need to be aware of that if you make the decision to get one.
Personality
When you compare these cats, both of them seem like they aren’t family-friendly pets. But, we are here to tell you otherwise.
Maine Coon cats are probably the best pets to get for your family. They’re great with kids, and they don’t mind if your kid plays a bit rough.
They won’t become aggressive, which means that they won’t scratch or bite your children or you just because you accidentally brushed against them.
If anything, they are the type of cat that has a lot of patience, and they don’t mind a lot of noise.
Maine Coons are also the perfect new addition to your home if you already have pets. They’ll get along with all of your cats and dogs. Why? Well, look at them! They’re huge!
Every animal is aware that larger animals are almost always stronger. Why would your little white cat attack a giant like this? If anything, your other pets will respect him even more.
The bigger downside of this breed is that Maine Coons require a lot more grooming than Savannah kitties. Their long coat can get tangled and matted. Before you know it, you’ll have to shave off all of his fur, which you probably don’t want to do.
He’s also a very intelligent cat. Because of his patience, he’s also easily trainable and listens to commands. You’ll be surprised how quickly he learns new tricks.
Savannah cat vs. Maine Coon: Final thoughts
I’m a huge fan of both of these cats. They’re unique and huge, which makes them great companions.
However, if this is your first time owning a pet, I would genuinely suggest getting a Maine Coon. He’ll be so much easier to take care of.
Only when you’re ready, you can bring a Savannah cat into your home. They’ll become best buddies in no time!
Read more: Bengal Cat Vs. Maine Coon: A Lap-Sized Leopard Or A Lion?