Serval

Overview

The serval is a small cat species native to sub-Saharan Africa living in grasslands and wetlands. They are slender cats, standing up to 62cm at the shoulder. They have a small head with large ears, and their coat is spotted and striped. They have the longest legs relative to body size in all cats species. Males are generally stockier than females. When hunting they use their huge ears to listen and locate their prey. They are also known to leap up to 2 metres in the air and pounce on their prey, startling the prey before killing it with a bite to the back of the neck or head! They live a solitary life in the wild, although home ranges between males and females will overlap. They are active at all times throughout the day, during the heat of the day they will find shade and groom themselves.

Reproduction

A female can come into season twice a year, to attract a male she will increase scent marking with her urine. The gestation period is between two to three months, after which the female will give birth to up to four kittens. The kittens will remain with the mother for up to 12 months.

Fun facts

1. They love different scents and enjoy rolling around in various herbs. 2. They are known to have the highest hunting success rate of any wild cat species, up to 50%. 3. Unlike many other cat species, Serval's love water.