Maine Coon vs African Serval - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Maine Coon vs African Serval - Breed ComparisonAfrican Serval is originated from South Africa but Maine Coon is originated from United States. African Serval may weigh 9 kg / 20 pounds more than Maine Coon. African Serval may live 5 years more than Maine Coon. Both African Serval and Maine Coon has same litter size. African Serval requires Low Maintenance. But Maine Coon requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

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South Africa
United States
Weight Male:
9 - 18 kg
19 - 40 pounds
5 - 9 kg
11 - 20 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 18 kg
19 - 40 pounds
5 - 9 kg
11 - 20 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 20 Years
9 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
None
Gentle Giant, Coo Cat
Colors Available:
Spotted and striped with black against a golden/tawny shade
Many colors - brown tabby most popular
Coat:
short
3 layers - thick and silky
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

african servalThe 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.

maine coonThe Maine Coon cat hails from Maine, USA. It’s a natural cat breed with actually little being known of its exact origins.

In fact, the first reference to the cat seems to have been in about 1861. It was in 1895 that a female Maine Coon was named Best Cat at a cat show held in Madison Square Gardens.

The Cat Fanciers Association was formed in 1908, and the 5th cat registered as a Maine Coon named Molly Bond.

The Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association was formed in 1968. The cat is also the official state cat of Maine.

Description

african serval kitten - descriptionThe 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.

maine coon kitten - descriptionThis is a large cat breed with strong bone structure. They can weigh between 5 and 9kg.

The height of these cats can be in the region of 25 and 41cm and they can reach a length of 97cm, including the tail. The body is muscular and robust with the chest being broad.

When it comes to the cat’s coat, the Maine Coon is characterized by the ruff along its chest. It has a 3-layered, water-resistant coat with longer hairs over a silky undercoat, and a long, bushy tail. The color of the coat can vary but the most common color is brown tabby. . It is medium- to long-haired. It’s a seasonal shedder with the fur being considerably thicker in the winter. All colors are available in this cat except blue.

Temperament:

The Maine Coon is a sociable cat and known for it playfulness as well as it being an intelligent cat and easy to train.

You’ll certainly need to supply the cat with some puzzle toys so as to stimulate his brain. It is also one of these cats known to have dog-like characteristics, becoming attached to its human owners, and being good-natured.

It is a loving cat and is also fairly vocal, wanting to tell its human owners what it wants. It’s not a lap cat. It is a gentle cat and gets on well with children and dogs as well as other cats.

Characteristics

african serval cat - characteristicsThe 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.

maine coon cat - characteristicsMaine Coon cats are such awesome pets and highly entertaining. They're excellent climbers too and to add to their many amazing characteristics, they love playing in water too.

You’ll be doing him a favor by providing him with a paddling pool. They’re so clever, they may even learn to turn a tap on.

He is such a social, friendly, family-loving cat and it's not surprising that he’s a firm favorite with most cat lovers.

Health Problems

african serval kittens - health problemsMake 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.

maine coon kittens - health problemsThere are certain health problems that seem to occur in this particular cat breed, including hip dysplasia and feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hip dysplasia is a condition of the hip joint that can cause degeneration of the joints. It can lead to stiffness and pain for your cat and it can be that your cat develops osteoarthritis.

If your cat develops hip dysplasia it won’t want to jump, it becomes lethargic and there may even be muscle loss in the rear legs.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

african serval cats - caringThe 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.

maine coon cats - caringCat owners need to realize that diet is one of the most important factors of keeping a cat healthy. The Maine Coon needs nutritious food.

Some people give their cat a mix of dry kibble as well as wet food. It is better to feed your pet smaller meals as opposed to large meals. What is very important is that the cat food is of a high-quality and that it be made up of meaty protein as every cat is a carnivore.

Provide your Maine Coon with a litter box and put it in a quiet, private area. It’s a large cat so make sure the litter box is large as well. With a cat you may need to experiment with him to figure out where he prefers his litter box to be.

This is an active cat so ensure that he gets plenty of exercise. Provide him with climbing equipment and stimulating toys. Your Maine Coon might even enjoy going for a walk and for this, you’ll need to get a cat harness.

Every cat likes to scratch – it’s normal behavior. Make sure you have one or two scratching posts with heavy bases set up for your cat otherwise he may direct his scratching on your furniture.

Every cat owner needs to know a good vet in their area so that their pet can get immediate veterinary help when he becomes sick.

Your Maine Coon’s coat is thick – made up of 3 layers. To maintain its silky feel, and to prevent matting, make sure to brush it once or twice a week. Make it an enjoyable, gentle grooming session for your furry pet. Speak to your vet about the right kind of brushes.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Maine Coon vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Maine Coon vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Maine Coon vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Maine Coon vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Maine Coon vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Maine Coon vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Maine Coon vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Maine Coon vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Maine Coon vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Maine Coon vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Maine Coon vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Maine Coon vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. Maine Coon vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. Maine Coon vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. Maine Coon vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. Maine Coon vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. Maine Coon vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. Maine Coon vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  19. Maine Coon vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  20. Maine Coon vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  21. Maine Coon vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  22. Maine Coon vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Maine Coon vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Maine Coon vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Maine Coon vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. African Serval vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. African Serval vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Chausie vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. American Bobtail vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  30. American Curl vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  31. American Keuda vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  32. American Longhair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  33. American Polydactyl vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  34. American Shorthair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  35. American Wirehair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  36. Applehead Siamese vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  37. Ashera vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  38. Asian vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  39. Asian Semi-Longhair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  40. Australian Mist vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  41. Balinese vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  42. Bengal vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  43. Bicolor vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  44. Birman vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  45. Blue Russian vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  46. Bombay vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  47. Brazilian Shorthair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  48. Bristol vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  49. British Longhair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  50. British Shorthair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison