Frequently Asked Questions
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The Savannah Breed Origin
Savannahs are a relatively new breed in the cat world, originally created through the breeding of an African Serval (Wild cat) and a Domestic Cat. This is a highly specialist breeding program and something which can only be tackled with the right environment to ensure the safety, wellbeing and happiness of the breeding cats. The kittens derived from the Serval and Domestic Cat are called "F1" Savannah kittens. We prefer to select breeding Queens and Studs from the most pure Savannahs and that means that the Servals have been mated with Savannahs and not general domestic cats. Some of our boys are also SBT's, which means that they have been created through 3 consecutive Savannah matings, classing them as "Purebred". |
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Life Expectancy
The average life expectancy of a Savannah is between 17 and 20 years old.
Savannah Temperament
Savannahs are very smart, loving and easy to get along with. Savannahs are very likely to follow you around the house and always be near you. Earlier generations tend to be more companions, than lap cats e.g. they would prefer to sit beside you, than on your lap and of course follow you everywhere to make up for it (bathroom and shower included!).
They are vocal cats who will greet you and tell you about what they want or ask how your day was with meow or a chirp sound like their serval parent or ancestors.
Savannahs will play fetch and can be taught to sit like a dog. They can also learn commands and recognize phrases such as, "bring it back" for example.
They are excellent on leashes but must be trained from 6 months to ensure the best outcome, starting from the cat wearing the harness around the house only.
The Savannah is a very confident, highly interactive cat, with a very playful nature.
They do demand the attention of a new puppy and do not like being left on their own.
They are vocal cats who will greet you and tell you about what they want or ask how your day was with meow or a chirp sound like their serval parent or ancestors.
Savannahs will play fetch and can be taught to sit like a dog. They can also learn commands and recognize phrases such as, "bring it back" for example.
They are excellent on leashes but must be trained from 6 months to ensure the best outcome, starting from the cat wearing the harness around the house only.
The Savannah is a very confident, highly interactive cat, with a very playful nature.
They do demand the attention of a new puppy and do not like being left on their own.
Size/ Height
The largest TICA registered breed of cat in the world is the Savannah...but size is no guarantee
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It has a tall and slim build which makes them look very big, even though their weight may not be what is seems. Size is very dependent on generation and sex. The F1 Hybrid male cats usually are the largest due to genetic factors. F1 and F2 hybrids are usually the largest, due to the stronger genetic influence of the African serval ancestor. Male Savannahs tend to be larger than females but because of the large variance in distribution of genetics in any one hybrid litter, weight and size can vary greatly. It can take a Savannah up to 2 years to grow to their adult size. Earlier generation Savannahs tend to take a further year to grow to full size.
They can grow in height similar to a small dog...but we never offer any guarantees - don't be duped based on kitten size. Some our smallest kittens have grown up to to be the largest out of all siblings. It simply is - just your luck. |
Weight
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Males F1 - F3
Around 9kg/ 20 lbs. and higher. |
Females F1 - F3
Usually up to 6.8kg/15 lbs. and higher. |
What does the F number mean?
What does the A, B , C and SBT mean?
Reproduction and Genetics
Gestation Period:
Due to the significant difference in gestation periods between the serval and a domestic cat (75 days for a serval and 65 days for a domestic cat), and sex chromosomes, breeders usually experience difficulty in producing F1 Savannahs. Pregnancies are often absorbed or aborted, or kittens are born prematurely. It is widely known that Servals are usually very selective in their mating, and often will not mate with a domestic cat.
Blood % Genetics:
F1 Savannahs can be as high as 75% serval.
All 75% F1s (a backcross BC1) are the offspring of a 50% F1 (true F1) female bred back to a serval.
Cases of 87.5% F1 (a backcross BC2) Savannah cats are known, but fertility is questionable at those percentage Serval levels. We aim to try and test the fertility levels at this percentage.
More common than a 75% F1 is a 62.5% F1, which is the product of an "F2" (25% serval, female) bred back to a serval.
The F2 generation, which has a serval grandparent and is the offspring of the F1 generation female, start from around 25% serval.
The F3 generation has a serval great grandparent, start from around 12.5% Serval.
The problem with percentage claims is that there is no real proof that the cats are in fact the percentage stated - it is all theoretical. Genetics are not always distributed evenly so therefore one kitten in a litter could be 51% and the other could be 62.5%. There's no proof and currently no way of measuring this so our percemtages are estimated.
Due to the significant difference in gestation periods between the serval and a domestic cat (75 days for a serval and 65 days for a domestic cat), and sex chromosomes, breeders usually experience difficulty in producing F1 Savannahs. Pregnancies are often absorbed or aborted, or kittens are born prematurely. It is widely known that Servals are usually very selective in their mating, and often will not mate with a domestic cat.
Blood % Genetics:
F1 Savannahs can be as high as 75% serval.
All 75% F1s (a backcross BC1) are the offspring of a 50% F1 (true F1) female bred back to a serval.
Cases of 87.5% F1 (a backcross BC2) Savannah cats are known, but fertility is questionable at those percentage Serval levels. We aim to try and test the fertility levels at this percentage.
More common than a 75% F1 is a 62.5% F1, which is the product of an "F2" (25% serval, female) bred back to a serval.
The F2 generation, which has a serval grandparent and is the offspring of the F1 generation female, start from around 25% serval.
The F3 generation has a serval great grandparent, start from around 12.5% Serval.
The problem with percentage claims is that there is no real proof that the cats are in fact the percentage stated - it is all theoretical. Genetics are not always distributed evenly so therefore one kitten in a litter could be 51% and the other could be 62.5%. There's no proof and currently no way of measuring this so our percemtages are estimated.
TICA Breed Standard
The coat of a Savannah depends on the breed of cat used for the domestic cross. Early generations have some form of dark spotting on a lighter coat. Here at Stylisticat, we only use excellent studs, which means they have two-three generations of Savannah to Savannah breeding in their genes, to keep the Savannah standard in the lines.
What is a TICA Breed Standard?
What is a TICA Breed Standard?
- The International Cat Association (TICA) breed standard All of our Savannahs, Abysinnians, Servals and Caracals are registered with TICA to ensure we can track their lineage and their pedigrees can be processed within kittens packs.
- SV is the TICA code for the Savannah breed
- The colours which are the breed standard are:
- Brown-spotted tabby (cool to warm brown, tan or gold with black or dark brown spots),
- Silver-spotted tabby (silver coat with black or dark grey spots),
- Black (black with black spots),
- Black smoke (black-tipped silver with black spots) only.
- Also seen are nonstandard variations such as the classic or marble patterns, snow coloration (point) and blue or other diluted colors derived from domestic sources of cat coat genetics.
Important Health Factors of Savannahs
There are various tests which we carry out upon receipt of new Queens or Studs and of each kitten before they go to their new homes. Please read about a few of them below:
Vaccinations and Anaesthesia
Rabies vaccines are recommended but not approved for non-domestic cats. If a non-domestic cat bites someone it will be treated as "unvaccinated" whether it has been given a vaccine or not. This means a state veterinarian may require a cat who has bitten someone to be euthanized or quarantined according to different country or state laws. Another inaccurate breeder recommendation is that of using only a killed vaccine. Modified live vaccines are appropriate for use in Savannahs and will not 'cause' the disease. Savannahs are not more or less sensitive than the general population of domestic cats to a vaccine reaction. Modified live vaccines induce much better immunity than killed vaccines, and many modified live vaccines have the desirable bonus of lacking an 'adjuvant', a component in killed vaccines that predisposes the cat to vaccine-associated sarcomas.
Like domestic cats, Savannahs and other domestic hybrids (such as Bengals) require appropriate anesthesia based on their medical needs but to do have specific requirements as breeders sometimes erroneously infer. It is unclear among the veterinary community how a particular anesthetic agent, specifically ketamine, has been listed as causing ill effects when this has not been found to be accurate. It is possible this comes from a misunderstanding of the drug and its common effects.
There are no known medical peculiarities of hybrid cats requiring different medical treatments than that of domestic cats, despite what many breeders may believe. The blood values of Savannahs are not known to be different than the typical domestic cat, despite its wild cat genes.
Like domestic cats, Savannahs and other domestic hybrids (such as Bengals) require appropriate anesthesia based on their medical needs but to do have specific requirements as breeders sometimes erroneously infer. It is unclear among the veterinary community how a particular anesthetic agent, specifically ketamine, has been listed as causing ill effects when this has not been found to be accurate. It is possible this comes from a misunderstanding of the drug and its common effects.
There are no known medical peculiarities of hybrid cats requiring different medical treatments than that of domestic cats, despite what many breeders may believe. The blood values of Savannahs are not known to be different than the typical domestic cat, despite its wild cat genes.
Should I get my Savannah declawed?
Would you like someone to remove the first joint of your toe?
The answer is a very firm NO.
This is amputation and is extremely inhumane.
The answer is a very firm NO.
This is amputation and is extremely inhumane.
Is it illegal to own a Savannah?
NO - they are not illegal to own in the UK. Some countries have banned them e.g. Australia and in other countries only certain generations are allowed.
You can check on:
You can check on:
Under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, a licence must be obtained for ownership of an F1 Savannah, or any other cat which has below F2 blood dilution of wild cat in their blood line.
You can usually own a stunning one of our F2's without the need for any licence or special permissions but it is always best to check with your local council. If you have any difficulty in explaining what your F2 or below Savannah is, then please don't hesitate to direct your council to us.
Importing/ Exporting an F1 - F4 to/ from the UK requires CITES.
Importing an F1 Savannah to the UK requires 4 months Defra-approved quarantine in England and 3 months Defra-approved quarantine in Scotland. We do not offer quarantine.
You can usually own a stunning one of our F2's without the need for any licence or special permissions but it is always best to check with your local council. If you have any difficulty in explaining what your F2 or below Savannah is, then please don't hesitate to direct your council to us.
Importing/ Exporting an F1 - F4 to/ from the UK requires CITES.
Importing an F1 Savannah to the UK requires 4 months Defra-approved quarantine in England and 3 months Defra-approved quarantine in Scotland. We do not offer quarantine.
Do I need to make any special housing arrangements for my Serval or Savannah?
F2 onwards (wood is okay to use but still not chew proof):
You can have a run fitted on to your house by a local joiner.
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African Serval or F1 Savannah enclosure:
For an F1 or serval, you need an enclosure. We prefer full metal enclosures - contact us for a supplier. We have a special licence which covers an area of our home under the special breeder DWA Licence we hold, but this is not easily attained or recommended. It is not just about the construction of the enclosure that is important but also what is inside it that counts. You need to think about the natural environment and not just pop them into a wooden shed with a small outdoor area. They should be able to run and get out of breath, Play hide and seek, splash in the water, jump up high, sit on a perch, shelter from rain or sun, scratch their claws, do the toilet in a clean area every time and, of course, explore new objects. From time to time we will reconstruct the whole inside of the enclosures to ensure that they feel like they are somewhere exciting again. The minimum space we would keep F1's (up to 3 plus a male) or a serval (per serval) in is 50 square metres. An example of this is in the picture on the right. The enclosures pictured will be doubled again in size during 2016 just for the F1's and the serval is moving over to her new enclosure with our other servals. This means the F1's will have 120 metres squared to play in. F2 Onwards: Savannahs are very fast and they can jump very high. You really need to consider that the Savannah is a high energy cat and that when they are whizzing around the house at a high speed, that they don't really have any consideration for special photo frames on tables or lamps which aren't secure. Having a Savannah Kitten equals remembering to toddler proof your house. We advise you to fit cupboard latches on chemical cupboards just in case your water-loving Savannah decides to try and find out where that sink water is going! |
Should I let my Savannah outside?
Not if you want it back again! We prefer our Savannahs are sold to indoor only homes or homes where a secure run is accessible from the house directly.
Will my Savannah need any special care or diet?
All cats are carnivores. Savannahs can eat normal cat food, provided it is of a high quality such as Applaws, Hills Science Plan, Royal Canin and similar level brands. Savannahs do require higher amounts of taurine in their diet and they are extremely sensitive to sedatives, which should only be used when absolutely necessary, as it can be fatal. If you want to feed your Savannah raw food, then you must make sure you learn about how to do this properly or it can end up being dangerous for the cat. You do not have to feed your Savannah raw food - some simply just don't like it. We recommend you do what works best for you and your Savannah and not what other people stipulate you must do.
Some breeders state Savannah cats have no known special care or food requirements, while others recommend a very high quality diet with no grains or byproducts. Some recommend a partial or complete raw feeding/raw food diet with at least 32% protein and no byproducts. Some recommend calcium and other supplements, especially for growing cats and earlier generations. Others consider it unnecessary, or even harmful. Most Savannah breeders agree that Savannahs have a need for more taurine than the average domestic cat, and therefore recommend taurine supplements, which can be added to any food type. We use a mixture of foods to ensure our cats have a balanced diet. They are fed raw food mainly and receive other more high quality commercial foods in between meals i.e. some of our studs receive complete biscuits to encourage weight gain if they are focused on the job too much for too long. Remember adding too many supplements can kill your cat.
Some breeders state Savannah cats have no known special care or food requirements, while others recommend a very high quality diet with no grains or byproducts. Some recommend a partial or complete raw feeding/raw food diet with at least 32% protein and no byproducts. Some recommend calcium and other supplements, especially for growing cats and earlier generations. Others consider it unnecessary, or even harmful. Most Savannah breeders agree that Savannahs have a need for more taurine than the average domestic cat, and therefore recommend taurine supplements, which can be added to any food type. We use a mixture of foods to ensure our cats have a balanced diet. They are fed raw food mainly and receive other more high quality commercial foods in between meals i.e. some of our studs receive complete biscuits to encourage weight gain if they are focused on the job too much for too long. Remember adding too many supplements can kill your cat.
Are Savannahs Child-Friendly?
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Yes. Savannahs are high energy cats and can move around at high speeds, rather carelessly. This should be taken into consideration if you have small children, as they make get banged into accidentally and be knocked off balance.
They don't require any MORE special supervision when around small children or pets than you would normally be prepared to do with any cat. You need to work with your Savannah from the very beginning to build a trusting, loving relationship. Any cat is going to react to being mishandled or whacked with a book from a toddler! Children usually need more supervision with your Savannah than the supervision of the cat! The only pets which aren't advisable to combine with your Savannah are goldfish or small rodents as your Savannah will make sure she finds a way in there to get her live food! Always make sure you gradually socialise other pets with your Savannah to reduce the stress and upset that is caused from the new arrival. |
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Pricing
All Serval and Savannah kittens for sale are priced individually depending on their standard and Savannahs are priced against the "Breed Standard" - see above. If you are looking for a specific generation, please contact us to be placed on the waiting list.
Stylisticat Breeding Quality Savannahs may be offered if they display a high standard. Please contact us if you are a breeder or perhaps want to get started.
We can accept credit/ debit cards via Paypal or Worldpay online. Worldpay comes with no fee to you and we send you an invoice via e-mail. Bank Transfer also available.
Worldwide prices can be as much as:
Stylisticat Breeding Quality Savannahs may be offered if they display a high standard. Please contact us if you are a breeder or perhaps want to get started.
We can accept credit/ debit cards via Paypal or Worldpay online. Worldpay comes with no fee to you and we send you an invoice via e-mail. Bank Transfer also available.
Worldwide prices can be as much as:
- £12,000 for an African Serval Breeder/ £3,000 pet.
- £13,000 for an F1 Savannah Breeder/ £13,000 pet.
- £7,000 - £10,000 for an F2 Savannah Breeder/ £4,500 - £6,500 pet.
- £4,000 - £6,000 for an F3 Savannah Breeder/ £2,000 - £3,500 pet.
- £1,500 - £3,500 for an F4 Savannah Breeder/ £1,000 - £2,000 pet.
- Our prices start at £1,500 for a pet F5 Female/ or up to £5,000 for an active F5 Male if exceptional quality.
- Prices for any further generation is up to £2,000 Female/ or £2,000 Male.
Do you have a waiting list?
Yes - we have a waiting list and kittens will be offered to these buyers before being placed as available for the public. If you are serious about wanting to own one of our cats then we will ask you for a non-refundable deposit. This ensures you are an active waiting list participant and will be entitled to advance any others on the waiting list which haven't placed a deposit.
So why do they cost so much?
Breeding Early Generation Savannahs is not easy. This is also a useful guide if you are considering breeding.
Remember we are talking about hybrid cats. The African Serval can be very fussy with who they mate and it can take years for the mating to become a success. During this period there are extensive bills to care for the animals and to ensure they are completely nurtured. In the event that there is a successful mating, the kittens can often be aborted or stillborn due to the difference in gestational periods of the Serval and the Domestic Cat.
Earlier generation kittens require extra socialisation to ensure that they are well accustomed to being around people, children and other cats by the time they leave Stylisticat to their new home. We socialise DWA kittens in our DWA zone of our house and F2 onwards are socialised in the kitten room so they are used to having attention.
Purchasers must consider the fact that a lot of love, time and investment has gone into creating excellent lines.
Remember we are talking about hybrid cats. The African Serval can be very fussy with who they mate and it can take years for the mating to become a success. During this period there are extensive bills to care for the animals and to ensure they are completely nurtured. In the event that there is a successful mating, the kittens can often be aborted or stillborn due to the difference in gestational periods of the Serval and the Domestic Cat.
Earlier generation kittens require extra socialisation to ensure that they are well accustomed to being around people, children and other cats by the time they leave Stylisticat to their new home. We socialise DWA kittens in our DWA zone of our house and F2 onwards are socialised in the kitten room so they are used to having attention.
Purchasers must consider the fact that a lot of love, time and investment has gone into creating excellent lines.
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Costs we must incur
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Costs through choice
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How do I become a Savannah breeder?
We are more than happy to help you get started, provided that you have really considered the reasons why you want to breed cats and the implications of what breeding cats actually means. Unless you have a lot of cats already and can care for a mutiple cat household with no problems, we recommend you start small. (We had 5 pet cats before we started breeding).
So what is a Stylisticat kitten?
We have a full time team to allow for proper socialisation of our breeding cats and their kittens. We strongly believe that any breeder cannot be an effective carer for all of their babies unless they are on hand and not leaving their cats alone all day, with the appropriate replacement 'Savannah-knowledgeable' carers in the instance that they are unavailable. Our team all work together ensuring consistent care is given to all of the cats. A Savannah breeding cat must be rewarded through love and care.
Our Savannah kittens should come to you as an outgoing, inquisitive and well-socialised baby. After they have settled down from their travels over the first 24 hours, they should be like they have always been there. Savannahs are excitable but should never be aggressive or "wild". It is heard all too often about those who have several litters of kittens and do not socialise them properly, meaning that the kittens struggle to settle with their new family.
Your kitten will come FULLY TESTED, VACCINATED, HEALTH CHECKED AT LEAST 2 TIMES, PROTECTED WITH ADVOCATE AND WORMED TWICE WITH PANACUR, WITH A LUXURY KITTEN PACK, WITH FREE GUIDES ON HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR SAVANNAH AND A LIFETIME OF SUPPORT.
Our Savannah kittens should come to you as an outgoing, inquisitive and well-socialised baby. After they have settled down from their travels over the first 24 hours, they should be like they have always been there. Savannahs are excitable but should never be aggressive or "wild". It is heard all too often about those who have several litters of kittens and do not socialise them properly, meaning that the kittens struggle to settle with their new family.
Your kitten will come FULLY TESTED, VACCINATED, HEALTH CHECKED AT LEAST 2 TIMES, PROTECTED WITH ADVOCATE AND WORMED TWICE WITH PANACUR, WITH A LUXURY KITTEN PACK, WITH FREE GUIDES ON HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR SAVANNAH AND A LIFETIME OF SUPPORT.
When does my Savannah kitten get do come home?
Kittens are individually assessed. We aren't eager to get them out as soon as they've had their 12 weeks vaccination, although some are ready at this point for their forever home. We may keep kittens up to 16 weeks to ensure appropriate weight and health before they leave.
Overseas:
We will do the rabies vaccination at 12 weeks and have to wait a minimum of 21 days afterwards to pass before your kitten can be exported. As soon as you know you are interested in a kitten, please get in contact because CITES export paperwork can take a number of weeks - even months to be fully processed. Kittens may be 20 - 26 weeks before the paperwork comes through if we file it early on, HOWEVER, if your kitten is for breeding, we prefer not to proceed with paperwork until the kitten is at least 10-16 weeks and we can assess the type in the kitten and both can be happy the kitten is suitable for breeding. On the other hand, if we can tell from the previous litters how this kitten will develop at a younger age and we are sure it will be good for breeding then we may file export papers early (at our discretion).
Overseas:
We will do the rabies vaccination at 12 weeks and have to wait a minimum of 21 days afterwards to pass before your kitten can be exported. As soon as you know you are interested in a kitten, please get in contact because CITES export paperwork can take a number of weeks - even months to be fully processed. Kittens may be 20 - 26 weeks before the paperwork comes through if we file it early on, HOWEVER, if your kitten is for breeding, we prefer not to proceed with paperwork until the kitten is at least 10-16 weeks and we can assess the type in the kitten and both can be happy the kitten is suitable for breeding. On the other hand, if we can tell from the previous litters how this kitten will develop at a younger age and we are sure it will be good for breeding then we may file export papers early (at our discretion).
How do I know which generation is right for my family?
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This is a very frequently asked question - and rightly so! We always say on a basic level, if you are an inexperienced cat owner then anything from F3 onwards is very similar to a domestic cat in terms of temperament.
An F2 is a bit more 'quirky' and can have more hunting, rough play or wild attributes. You need to have good behaviour training methods and know how to be firm with your Savannah. They do learn the word 'No' but at F2 it may be that you need to reinforce rules more often than F3 onwards. An F1 requires a licence in the UK so we would expect you not only to be an experienced cat owner, but also preferably an F2 Savannah owner. We would need to see a copy of your licence before we would consider you for an F1 within the UK. A serval requires a licence in the UK but not in many places outwith the UK. If you are interested in a serval then contact us. This cat requires a lot of patience and understanding of feline behaviours to effectively care for. See our Youtube videos. |
How do I get that 'bond' or 'imprint'?
The Golden Rule - Don't expect love, trust and compassion to come naturally - work for it.
We often get e-mails asking for help with that bond that people see we have with our Savannah cats. It is not something which happens overnight. You must take the time and spend it with your cat to ensure they learn that you are harmless and want to give them the respect they deserve. By giving them space you are showing respect - don't expect too much from your cat. Over time they will enjoy being closer to you and will start to show you affection. Reward to affection with affection - but don't overdo it. Servals and Savannahs often don't like cuddles. Most of ours do, but some don't. They are more than happy to headbutt and lick our faces but as soon as you raise your arms to cuddle that cat, they're out of sight. It's definitely only one or two of our cats which doesn't like a cuddle but even then those who do - you may only get a few lucky moments before they run off. A cuddle to you is not always a cuddle to a Savannah, it's a restriction, it's claustrophobic. Reward your Savannah for good behaviour, raise your voice and say NO or ignore the bad. Sometimes they don't know they are being naughty so try to understand why a serval or Savannah behaves in a particular way and if it's becoming a habit try to retrain. Contact us if you are having any problems with behaviour or you would like to discuss good bonding skills. Always remember though that Servals and Savannahs are known for not being cuddlers or lapcats - you can win them round with the right skills.
What is the buying process of a Serval or Savannah?
- First Contact
- Get to know each other better (assess new home and suitability)
- Contract sent for review and signing
- Deposit via BACS, Paypal, Worldpay - Credit or Debit cards (Credit incurs surcharge of 1.8%)
- Full payment on or before collection
- Vet Check within 48 hours at new home
- Return guarantee for 72 hours (No Cash Refunds)
- Aftercare follow-up contact
- Aftercare support for lifetime of kitten - regular contact
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