The serval is a slender, spotted cat about 500 mm tall at the shoulder, with long legs for its body size, large rounded ears and a tawny yellow coat with black spots over a white underside. It prefers moist, tall grassland associated with wetlands, is generally solitary and shy, and is rather difficult to spot on a Kruger Park safari.
Name
Serval
Appearance
The serval is a slender cat that is about 500mm tall at the shoulders. It has a tawny yellow coat colour and a white underside. The majority of the serval is covered in black spots. The serval has amazingly long legs compared to its body size. The Serval has a small, long head with large rounded ears that are marked in black and white spots.
Diet
Servals have a diet of small animals like rats, birds, frogs, reptiles and even fish.
Breeding
Kittens are born after a gestation period of about 70 days, with one to four kittens in a litter. The kittens are born in a lair but are frequently moved in order to keep them safe. The Serval is similar to the Cheetah in the way it raises its young. It will leave them to go hunt. Females are very protective of their kittens and will chase away any male that comes near her cubs, especially when the cubs are mature enough to hunt. When the kittens are mature enough, the mother will drive her young away so they can claim their own territory.
Behaviour
The Serval is generally a solitary animal unless it is a female that is accompanied by her young. Servals have home ranges that can be up to 30 square km that they mark with scent. The home ranges are not exclusive and members avoid contact. These animals are generally shy animals that are active during the night where they locate prey mainly by hearing. The Serval has very good hearing that is mainly due to their large ears. They are generally quiet and great at pouncing and sneaking up on prey. Servals are solitary animals and rather difficult to spot while on a Kruger Park Safari.
Habitat
They prefer moist, tall grassland areas that are generally associated with wetlands. They are rather sparsely spread because of habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do servals eat?
Servals eat small animals, including rats, birds, frogs, reptiles and even fish. They are generally quiet animals that hunt during the night and are great at pouncing on and sneaking up on their prey.
Why do servals have such big ears?
The serval’s large, rounded ears, marked with black and white, are the main reason for its very good hearing. Servals are generally quiet animals that are great at pouncing and sneaking up on prey.
Are servals solitary animals?
Yes — the serval is generally solitary, except for females accompanied by their young. Servals have home ranges of up to 30 square kilometres that they mark with scent; the ranges are not exclusive, but individuals avoid contact.
Where do servals live?
Servals prefer moist, tall grassland areas that are generally associated with wetlands. Because of this habitat preference they are rather sparsely spread, and they are shy animals that are mostly active at night.
How do servals raise their kittens?
After a gestation of about 70 days, kittens are born in a lair and frequently moved to keep them safe. Like a cheetah, the mother leaves them to go and hunt, chases away any male that comes near, and later drives her grown young away to claim their own territory.
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