The serval (Leptailurus serval) is a medium-sized wild cat native to the grasslands and savannas of Africa. This feline, the sole member of its genus, is characterized by a slender build and a striking spotted coat. Although often confused with larger spotted predators, the serval possesses unique physical traits. It is classified within the Felidae family and is designed for precision hunting in dense, tall-grass environments.
Distinct Physical Characteristics
The serval possesses the longest legs relative to body size of any cat species, allowing it to peer over tall savanna grasses. This height is due to the extraordinary elongation of its metatarsal bones in the feet, giving it a stilt-like posture. In contrast to its long limbs, the serval has a small head and neck, which enhances its ability to quickly scan its surroundings.
The most recognizable feature of this cat is its disproportionately large, upright, oval ears, which can rotate independently like radar dishes. These ears are backed with a distinct black spot containing a white central bar, known as ocelli, which play a role in intraspecies communication. Its coat is a golden-yellow to tawny color, marked with black spots and stripes that act as camouflage in the African bush.
Ecology and Natural Environment
The serval’s geographical range spans widely across Sub-Saharan Africa, though isolated populations exist in North Africa. This species shows a strong preference for habitats associated with water, particularly reed beds, marshlands, and savannas that feature dense vegetation and a permanent water source. Avoiding true deserts and dense rainforests, the serval thrives where tall grasses provide ample cover for stalking and hunting.
Servals are solitary animals outside of mating season and when a mother raises her kittens. They maintain defined territories, which they mark using scent deposits such as urine, feces, and gland secretions. While they can be active during the day, servals are typically crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. This activity pattern allows them to capitalize on cooler temperatures and maximize hunting efficiency.
Specialized Hunting and Diet
The serval is an opportunistic carnivore whose diet consists overwhelmingly of small prey, with rodents and small birds making up 80 to 97% of its intake. Its acute sense of hearing, facilitated by its large ears, allows it to detect the faint rustling of small mammals moving beneath dense grass or even underground. Once prey is located, the serval engages in a unique hunting strategy known as “mousing,” characterized by a pause before a sudden, powerful vertical leap.
This pounce is a highly successful maneuver, with servals achieving a kill rate of approximately 50%, one of the highest among all wild cat species. They can leap over two meters high and almost four meters horizontally to strike down birds in mid-flight or pounce on hidden rodents. The serval’s elongated toes and mobile feet also allow it to reach into burrows and crevices to extract prey.
Servals in the Modern World
The serval is currently classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a species of Least Concern across its range. This status masks significant regional threats, particularly in North Africa where some subspecies are listed as endangered. The primary threats are habitat loss due to the drainage of wetlands for agriculture and direct human conflict. Servals are sometimes hunted for their pelts or killed by farmers who mistakenly believe they pose a threat to livestock.
The serval also plays a role in the exotic pet trade, leading to the development of the Savannah cat breed. The Savannah cat is a hybrid created by crossing a serval with a domestic cat, resulting in a large, spotted feline. Ownership of a pure serval as a pet is highly regulated and often requires special permitting, such as a Dangerous Wild Animal Licence. The species is further protected by its listing on CITES Appendix II, which regulates international trade.