Serval

Serval

Description

The serval is a medium-sized African wild cat with a slender body, a small head, and remarkably large, rounded ears. It reaches a body length of 70-100 cm plus a 30-45 cm tail and weighs around 9-18 kg. Its tawny coat is patterned with black spots and stripes that vary from one individual to the next, and it has the longest legs relative to body size of any cat.

Habitat

Servals live across sub-Saharan Africa, favouring savannas, grassy steppes, wetlands, and scrubby bush country. They generally stay close to water and prefer areas with tall grass or reeds that provide cover for hunting.

Diet

A skilled predator, the serval hunts mainly small mammals such as rodents, along with birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.

Reproduction

After a gestation of about 65-75 days, the female gives birth to 1-3 kittens, hidden away in dense vegetation or an abandoned burrow. She raises the young entirely on her own, as the male takes no part in rearing them.

Lifespan

In the wild servals live around 10 years, while in human care they can reach up to 20 years.

Did you know?

Thanks to its exceptionally long legs and powerful hindquarters, a serval can leap up to 3 metres into the air to snatch a bird in flight. Its dexterous front paws are even nimble enough to work simple door handles.