Southeast African cheetah of this alternative coat pattern was found to be a mutation in the gene for transmembrane aminopeptidase Q ("Taqpep"), the same gene responsible for the striped "mackerel" versus blotched "classic" patterning seen in tabby cats. The cheetah also has melanism as one of its rare color morphs. A melanistic cheetah in Zambia was seen by Vesey Fitzgerald in the company of a spotted cheetah. The cheetah is a medium-sized cat. An adult male cheetah's total size can measure from and for females. Adult cheetahs are tall at the shoulder. Males are slightly taller than females and have slightly bigger heads
Savannah cat the Chausie and Bengal cat, most first generation cats will possess many or all of the serval's exotic looking traits, while these traits often diminish in later generations. Male Savannahs tend to be larger than females. Early-generation Savannahs can weigh , with the most weight usually attributed to the F1 or F2 neutered males due to genetics. Later-generation Savannahs are usually between . Because of the random factors in Savannah genetics, size can vary significantly, even in one litter. The coat of a Savannah should have a spotted pattern, the only pattern accepted by the TICA breed standard. The spotted