Torby vs African Serval - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The African Serval is a wild cat that hails from Africa. You’ll see them on Africa’s savannas where there is tall grass and reeds, preferably near water.

If you want to own a serval cat, you have to check whether you require licenses and permits as they are particularly difficult to rehome once you have owned one. Humans have kept them since ancient times, but they are not domesticated cats as such.

Breeding servals arrived in the United States many decades ago. Breeders have also crossed serval cats with domestic cats to produce hybrids, one of which is the Savannah cat.

The Torby is a rare cat and the name ‘Torbie’ is shortened for Tortoiseshell-tabby. They are known for their tri-colored coats. In fact, when a cat has tabby stripes along with Tortoiseshell markings, the results are Torbie. Tortoiseshell cats are almost exclusively female. Males do exist but they are rare. They’re also referred to as Torties with their coat resembling that of the shell of a tortoise. The colors represented are usually red, orange and black. Just like the Tabby cat, the Tortie cat is not actually a breed, but is rather referring to the coat pattern. Pure breed cats such as the Maine Coon can also have a Tortoiseshell pattern.

The Serval is a medium to large-sized cat that stands at between 54–62 cm in height and weighs in the region of 9–18 kg.

Some people think its a cat that looks similar to a Cheetah and this is because it also has a small head. It is known for its large ears which are black at the back with a large white dot. The attractively patterned coat is both spotted and striped with black against a golden/tawny shade.

These wild cats make a number of different noises - high pitched cries to growls, spitting sounds and purring. Another well-known feature with the cat is its particularly long legs. The tail has some black rings and it is black-tipped. The eyes of the Serval are a brown/greeny color.

The Serval cats will only come together for mating and then they resume their solitary lives. Gestation lasts for roughly 73 days after which up to 6 kittens can be born. In captivity, a Serval can live to be about 20 years of age.

Temperament:

The Serval is an active cat night and day. They are solitary animals not known for strong social interactions with humans but they can be playful with the few humans he gets to know.

People need to always know that owning a wild pet like this comes with risks. Not only that, a Serval wants to mark its territory and while you may provide a litter box, it's not to say he will use it.

They are able to bond with humans to some extent, more so if they were hand-fed from early on. They bond with one person and can form an affectionate relationship with that one person.

There is a type of tortie cat that is called a torbie and it comes with tabby-like features. They are striking looking cats and can be medium to large size, weigh between 3 and 7kg and be muscular and athletic. Essentially when there are tabby stripes you get a Torbie. Some people call them patched tabbies because they are a tabby with Temperament: No two Tortoiseshell cats have the same personalities, and because they can be any breed of cat, they have a wide range of personality characteristics. They can be energetic, docile, curious, lazy, playful, shy, reserved, aloof, social, friendly, angry, calm, or something else. Not every Torbie cat will have the same characteristics, but most make the most awesome pets. It is true that a cat’s personality and behavior are formed a lot by the people who own it and the lifestyle they provide for it.

The African Serval is a wild animal and should be left in the wild.

However, if you do decide to bring one into your home as a pet, they aren’t recommended for homes with young children or for a first-time pet owner.

Their play is rough and they like to use their teeth and claws during play. If the child gets hurt, then in typical unfair human fashion, the Serval is the one who suffers. They are capable of making good pets though but it is not recommended.

Your torbie cat isn't going to turn out the same way as your friend's torbie cat. This is because torbie is just indicating the type of coat your cat has. Yes, they can be strong-willed, social and even angry sometimes, but they can also be quiet, sweet and content. Nothing is set in stone when it comes to a cat's personality. The type of personality you have and the lifestyle you provide your cat with can play a big part in how your Torby turns out. Give him lots of love and care and you'll be blessed with an awesome friend and pet.

Make sure that before you take in a Serval as a pet you have access to a good veterinarian who is experienced in helping exotic pets.

Also, the African Serval, when domesticated, will need the same cat vaccines that you would give your regular kitten.

Torbie cats are such lovable felines and because they are describing the type of coat the coat has and not the breed, nobody can be sure how long these cats will live for. Some will only live to be 10 while others can reach 15 to 18 years of age. The diet and lifestyle you give your torbie can influence his health and longevity. Health issues in a torbie are certainly not connected to the color of the coat. No matter what cat breed you have, most of the common cat illnesses to watch for are issues that affect the kidneys, the eyes, the skin, and heart. Make sure you get your torbie vaccinated against some of the deadly cat diseases there are.

Diet:

The Serval is a wild cat so in the wilds it eats prey such as frogs, birds and reptiles. They are known for leaping high into the air to catch prey but they will also burrow into holes to get prey out.

You should try to provide your Serval pet with some whole prey. Do research on the food of Servals because you will need to offer your wild pet a feline supplement. There are also formulated pelleted food, but this shouldn’t form the bulk of his food but rather be a supplement to his meats. Choose a variety of meats such as chicken, mice, turkey, beef, duck as well as rabbits and birds.

Space:

If you keep a serval, it is imperative that it has large outdoor areas to roam in. They’re nocturnal animals, so they become more active at night. They’re used to living near streams in the wild so some kind of pool will be required for him, possibly even a fish pond where he can catch his own fish.

It can be difficult to decide which food to go with for your feline friend as the cat food manufacturers have provided pet lovers with a generous selection. With a cat, it may be tempting to choose the cheapest option, but in the long run, it will just increase your vet bills. Diet plays a massive role in the health of your cat. The important thing to remember is that your cat is a carnivore and he will require meat as the biggest part of his diet. If in doubt, speak to your vet about the type of food to give your cat and how much. Ensure your cat has a constant supply of fresh, cool water. All cats are low-maintenance, and your Torby isn’t going to require much grooming. Make a habit of regular grooming, even if it is only once a week. Your Torby will also need his claws trimmed regularly. You can visit your vet or pet groomer to do this for you. Just like human parents prepare for the arrival of a new baby, you have to prepare for the arrival of a cat in the home, whether it comes to you as a kitten or an adult. Make a list of the essential cat accessories you will need. Buy some fun toys for your Torby, more so if you are bringing a kitten home. Cats need to be stimulated to steer away from boredom. Essentially your Torby checklist will look like this - • Litter box and cat litter • Cat bedding • Veterinarian-recommended cat food • Bowls for food and water • Toys • Collar with tag and contact info etched in • Brush for grooming • Scratching post • Climbing tree