Servals

The serval is a medium-sized African wild cat. The word comes from the Portuguese word “serval” meaning “wolf-deer”.

Modern DNA analysis indicates that servals maintain their own unique lineage descending from the same ancestor as the lion. Although the serval shares common traits with the cheetah, it is the cheetah which is thought to have descended from ancient servals, rather than the other way around. The serval is believed to be closely related to the African golden cat and the caracal.

The serval’s life expectancy is around 10 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The serval is a lightly built cat, with long legs, large ears, and short tail. The coat is yellowish tan with black spots, bands, and stripes. Its tail has black rings, and its underside is white or light tan. The pattern of every serval’s coat is different. Except for the shortness of the tail, there is a physical resemblance to the cheetah.

HABITAT

Servals are found in many parts of Africa, but not in the equatorial jungles or the Sahara. They are most commonly found in East African savannas, usually near water. They prefer areas of scrub bush, tall grass, and dry reed beds that are near streams. They will avoid hunting in an open dry savanna where there is inadequate cover.

BEHAVIOR

Elusive and shy, servals are, for the most part, nocturnal. They typically hunt by sight and sound more so than scent. In areas of Africa where this cat has not been disturbed by human development, they will also be active at dawn and dusk (crepuscular).

Servals have an excellent sense of hearing and can locate prey that is moving underground. Once it hears its prey, the serval will quietly approach before leaping to pounce on it. Often, they will play with their meal before consuming it. Their diet consists primarily of rodents, small ungulates, birds, lizards, frogs, and insects.

This cat has a number of different vocalizations which include snarling, growling, spitting, purring and a high pitched cry used to call other servals.