The serval (Leptailurus serval) is a medium-sized wild cat native to the African continent. It is the sole member of its genus, occupying a unique ecological niche across sub-Saharan Africa. The serval is distinguished by its slender build and unique physical proportions.
Defining the Serval: Physical Characteristics
The serval is characterized by a sleek, lanky silhouette, which is largely due to its disproportionately long limbs. It possesses the longest legs of any cat species when measured relative to its body size, contributing to a shoulder height of approximately 54 to 62 centimeters. This medium-sized cat typically weighs between 9 and 18 kilograms, with males generally heavier than females.
A small, narrow head sits atop a relatively long neck, but the most distinctive feature is the pair of large, rounded ears. These ears are set closely together and can rotate independently up to 180 degrees, allowing for highly acute directional hearing. The coat is typically a golden-yellow to buff color, covered in a pattern of black spots. While the spots on the sides are distinct, they often merge into stripes along the neck and shoulders.
Habitat and Hunting Strategy
The serval is widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa, preferring habitats near water, such as dense cover, grasslands, and wetlands. This specialized environment allows the cat to use its long legs to see over tall grasses and its exceptional hearing to locate prey hidden within the vegetation or underground. The serval is a highly efficient predator, with a prey-capture success rate estimated at around 48%, one of the highest among all cat species.
The cat’s hunting strategy relies heavily on acoustics and a unique vertical attack. Using its massive ears, the serval can pinpoint the precise location of small burrowing rodents, which make up the majority of its diet, sometimes up to 97% of its prey. Once the target is located, the serval launches a spectacular, high-arcing pounce, often leaping over two meters (6.5 feet) high to land directly on the unsuspecting animal. This vertical jumping ability is also used to knock down flying birds from the air.
Servals, Conservation, and the Savannah Cat
The wild serval population is generally considered stable and is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, though it is protected under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). However, the species faces ongoing threats from habitat loss due to wetland degradation and agricultural expansion. Servals are also occasionally killed by local pastoralists who mistakenly believe the cats prey on livestock, though their diet consists primarily of small wild animals.
The serval is responsible for the creation of the popular Savannah cat, a hybrid domestic breed. This breed originated in 1986 from a cross between a male serval and a female domestic cat. First-generation (F1) Savannah cats are approximately 50% serval and retain many of the wild cat’s physical traits, including its size and spotted coat. Due to their significant wild heritage, F1 Savannah cats and pure servals are often subject to strict regulations and permitting requirements as exotic pets in many regions.