PetzloverAfrican Serval is originated from South Africa but Sumxu is originated from China. African Serval may weigh 11 kg / 25 pounds more than Sumxu. African Serval may live 5 years more than Sumxu. Both African Serval and Sumxu has same litter size. Both African Serval and Sumxu requires Low Maintenance.
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 Sumxu is an odd-looking cat with its droopy ears or drop-ears. The truth is, the cat is considered extinct and the last reported Chinese lop-eared cat was way back in 1938.
According to reports, the cat seems to have first made an appearance in 1656 and was always described as a curiosity. It seems as if they were valued as pets but they were also used as food. A Polish man was the first Westerner to describe the Sumxu in his illustrated book Flora Sinensis. The breed was once found in and around Peking and resembled a long-haired Scottish Fold.
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.
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.
The Chinese have always eaten this cat and because it has always been found in restrictive conditions the cat lost its keen sense of hearing because it no longer needed to hunt. The cat's ears lost their upright nature and became the hanging ears that are characteristic of the Chinese cat.
The cat had a long silky, shiny coat and was a dirty yellowy type of color. It had a ruff, a thick tail and blue, slanted eyes. It is thought that the size of the Sumxu was somewhat larger than the standard cat so he would have been a medium to large-sized cat, weighing in the region of 4 to 7kg. He was thick-set and muscular.
It is thought that this cat wasn’t particularly active and that it seems to only become really animated when offered food, preferring to lie beside a warm fire than to be found outside. We can only assume that it was a fairly quiet cat.
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.
Not much is known of the character of the Sumxu cat as it is now extinct. It doesn't matter what kind of cat you have because every cat needs to be loved and well cared for. If you can't do that, then why get a cat in the first place.
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.
The Sumxu cat should have seen the veterinarian every year for an examination and to make sure his vaccinations and deworming were up to date.
It is never a good idea to give your cat medication that hasn't been prescribed by the vet. If the Sumxu cat had ingested a poisonous substance, it would have been kind to call the vet. It would have been dangerous for the Chinese to eat such a cat that had ingested poison.
While cats should be spayed and neutered, it is quite possible that the Sumxu cat was eaten before it ever had a chance to become a parent. Neutering and spaying a cat has health benefits for the cat and can prevent cancers.
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.
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.
One would have hoped that the now-extinct Sumxu cat received high-quality cat food. If you don't know what to feed your cat, your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best diet. The cat food manufacturers always produce foods that take into account the cat's age and activity levels.
Certainly, every cat needs taurine, an essential amino acid, for heart and eye health. The food you choose for your cat should contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals.
You will need to provide fresh, cool water for your cat at all times. Wash and refill your cat’s water bowls regularly.
Take your pet to your vet for any signs of illness such as diarrhea, vomiting or lethargy.
The Sumxu cat would have required a brush every few days as the coat was long and silky. Brushing helps keep your cat's coat free of dust and loose hairs.
Your cat will need a litter box which should be placed in a quiet, accessible location. The Sumxu cat would not have liked feces in his litter box, and litter boxes of all cats should be kept clean.