Full Classification

Class – Mammalia (Mammals)

Order – Carnivora (Carnivores)

Family – Felidae (Cats)

Subfamily – Felinae (Small cats)

Genus – Leptailurus (Servals)

Species – Leptailurus serval

General Information

The serval is a medium-sized wild cat found mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. It most commonly inhabits wet grasslands, savannas, wetlands, reed beds, and areas near water. Servals may also occur in forested areas and bamboo thickets. Dense vegetation and an abundant supply of small prey are important for their survival.

The serval has a slender body, long legs, and remarkably large, rounded ears. Its relatively long legs are one of the species’ most distinctive characteristics. Adults have a body length of approximately 60–100 cm, with a tail measuring about 30–45 cm. Males generally weigh around 9–18 kg, while females weigh approximately 9–13 kg. The coat is usually yellowish or golden-brown, with dark spots and stripes, and the pattern varies between individuals.

The serval is primarily a solitary and territorial animal. It is most active in the early morning and late afternoon, although individuals living near human settlements may become predominantly nocturnal. Servals mark their territories using scent, including urine marking and scent glands located on the head.

The serval’s diet consists mainly of small mammals, particularly rodents. It also hunts birds, frogs, lizards, insects, and other small animals. The serval has an exceptionally well-developed sense of hearing and can locate prey even when it is hidden beneath vegetation or soil. When hunting, it may make sudden forward or vertical leaps, using its front paws to catch prey.

The serval is known for its high hunting success rate. In one study, approximately 48% of hunting attempts were successful. While hunting, a serval may remain completely still while listening for the movements of prey before launching a rapid attack.

Gestation lasts approximately 65–75 days, after which the female usually gives birth to 2–3 kittens. Young servals remain with their mother for up to about a year before becoming independent and establishing their own territories. Sexual maturity is reached at approximately 18–24 months of age.

Servals live for approximately 10 years in the wild on average, although some individuals can live considerably longer. In captivity, they may live for more than 20 years.

What are the main threats to servals?

• Loss and degradation of natural habitats, particularly as a result of agricultural expansion and land-use changes;
• Declining availability of prey due to changes in natural ecosystems;
• Persecution by humans and mortality in areas where servals approach agricultural land and occasionally prey on domestic poultry;
• Loss of wetlands, which are important habitats for servals.

The serval is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. However, the conservation status of individual regional populations may be considerably more concerning than the species’ global status.

The serval is protected under:

• Appendix II of the CITES Convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

5 Interesting facts:

1. The serval has some of the largest ears relative to body size among cats. They help it pinpoint the direction of sounds and locate prey even when it is hidden in tall grass.
2. Thanks to its long legs, the serval is an excellent jumper. During hunting, it can leap vertically to catch birds and make sudden attacks on prey hidden in dense vegetation.
3. The serval has an exceptionally well-developed sense of hearing. It can remain completely still while listening for a rodent hidden beneath vegetation or a thin layer of soil and then pinpoint its location.
4. The serval’s dark spots and stripes break up the outline of its golden-brown body, helping it remain concealed among tall grasses and shrubs.
5. The serval has exceptionally long legs relative to its body size. This adaptation helps it move through tall grass, see above vegetation, and make powerful leaps when hunting.