Home > Mammals > Carnivores
Serval

Serval
Photographer: Lee R Berger


Serval
Photographer: Lee R Berger


Serval Range Map (Africa)
Serval Range Map (Africa)
Latin Name Leptailurus serval
Conservation Status Least Concern
Location Africa
Colour Yellow with Black Spots
Length 60 - 100 cms (23.5 - 39 inches)
Tail 24 - 45 cms (9.5 - 18 inches)
Weight 9 - 18 Kgs (20 - 40 lbs)
Life Expectancy

Up to 19 Yrs

Main Characteristics

Servals are medium sized wild cats. They have a body length between 60 and 100 cms (23.5 - 39 inches), a tail length between 24 and 45 cms (9.5 - 18 inches) and they weigh between 9 and 18 kgs (20 - 40 lbs).

They are pale yellow in colour with solid black spots and variable black bands. Their head is small and rounded and they have large, rounded ears. They have a slender build and long legs.

Servals have a remarkable jumping ability which enables them to be very efficient hunters. They can leap up to 4 m (13 ft) horizontally and 1 m (3.3 ft) high when hunting prey on the ground and up to 3m (10 ft) into the air when catching birds. They also have good senses of hearing and vision.

Habitat

Servals can be found on the savannahs and grasslands of Africa. They usually inhabit an area near a water source and are mainly active at dawn and dusk.

Diet

Servals feed upon birds, lizards, insects, frogs, rodents and other small mammals.

Breeding

After a gestation period of 67 - 77 days, Servals give birth to 1 - 4 kittens. They are weaned at 5 - 6 weeks old and they reach sexual maturity at 1 - 2 years of age.

Predators

Predators of Servals include leopards and humans.

Subspecies

Subspecies of Serval include:

Leptailurus serval brachyurus
Leptailurus serval serval
Leptailurus serval tanae
Leptailurus serval constantina
Leptailurus serval phillipsi
Leptailurus serval liptositictus
Leptailurus serval hindei

Interesting Facts

Within the cat family, Servals have the largest ears and longest legs relative to their body size.

Servals are also known by the scientific name Felis serval.

Servals have been bred with the domestic cat to create a hybrid breed of domestic cat known as the Savannah.

Similar Animals

Caracal
Bay Cat
Marbled Cat
Asian Golden Cat
African Golden Cat
Jaguarundi

 


Contact         About         Glossary         Site Map         Privacy Policy

CC 2006 - 2014 theanimalfiles.com